A new found appreciation for ties

As a person who hasn’t worn a tie since primary school (oh yes, I mastered the four-in-hand, which GQ dubbed as ‘neither too big nor too small nor too perfectly triangular’) I don’t understand the hullabaloo surrounding ties. Whether on Jon Snow, Barney Stinson from HIMYM, or Mr Burn’s right-hand man, I am only just realising the true, glorious potential of the tie within menswear. Also, just to clarify, I didn’t read GQ when I was seven years old.
I’m not alone in marvelling at these elongated items of fabric. A certain eleven year old CEO (I felt accomplished eating two out of five recommended portions of vegetables today and the idea of a kid-entrepreneur kind of brought me down) is crafting a fantastical array of ties. Moziah ‘’Mo’’ Bridges recently told the Huffington Post that ‘’I look and feel so much better in nice clothes. It makes me feel like an important person.” The adorable entrepreneur even has a formal line with silks and satins, and has extended his prints in gingham and tweeds. The youngster drew inspiration from his father and grandfather’s dedication to three piece suits, and his grandmother’s sewing skills.
Just like many other twenty-something’s, one of my heartthrobs is of course, journalist Jon Snow. Not for his cutting-edge investigate work, but damn, does that man have taste when it comes to socks and ties. In an interview with The Guardian where he was asked what he was wearing that day, he replied with,
‘‘A Victoria Richards tie. My theory is that if you wear a very bright tie then nobody will look at the rest – either you or the suit, or anything else. I found this very nice designer tie but it was horrendously expensive so I looked to see who had made it and I was able to track her down – now I buy them at cost. Ties should be abstract: they must not suggest that by wearing that particular tie you are in some way commenting on the news.”
He also went on to discuss the idea of socks and ties having some kind of vague relationship, and I like that. Considering all my socks are odd, they probably need companionship.
However, our own relationship with ties seems more turbulent; we pick them up and drop them when we choose. We are in an unhealthy relationship with ties. And it’s not fair on them or us.
Reportedly, it all began with casual Fridays, and its tropical roots are as far reaching as Hawaii in 1947. The funky city of Honolulu allowed workers to wear the Aloha shirt, and were they were adorned on everybody’s favourite day of the week. And do I even need mention the world leader’s shunning of the tie at the G8 Summit earlier this year? Cameron, Obama were amongst a few of the politicians scorched for turning up the heat on casual attire.
I’m not sure what ties I can pass off (the closest thing I have to a shirt is an oversized t-shirt with Jimi Hendrix on it – so I’m not even close) so on second thoughts, maybe I’ll keep rocking the exposed neck.

 

 

Georgia van Gils – Journalism student at the University of Gloucestershire

This is part of the CFW and University of Gloucestershire collision

Twitter – @GeorgiaBelinda