Please don't chime in with "none". This thread is for those guys who actually DO wear ties, and want to discuss a minimalist approach to neckties.
I propose that every well-dressed gent should own four ties. As follows:
Thoughts?
I propose that every well-dressed gent should own four ties. As follows:
- black tie. Not "black tie" as opposed to "white tie" for tuxedo wear ... no, I mean a black "regular" (ie long, not bow) tie. You wear this whenever you have to go to funerals. This also works for dressier events in the evening like taking SWMBO to the symphony and a fancy restaurant for an anniversary or some such thing.
- Day-to-day work-dress tie. Yep, I say only have one. Look at photos of Winston Churchill ... he's always wearing the same bow tie: navy blue with white dots. (Or is is black with cream dots? Well, in B&W photos we can't tell but ... nobody ever complained about his consistency with neckwear.) One conservative tie in a darkish colour, with or without a small, repeating pattern. I'd go with Churchill-inspired navy with small white dots, or similar. But something you can wear to the office every day.
- "Wedding tie" ... more of a nickname than a specific "only wear it here" rule ... a more vibrant and "fun" tie for the formal-but-fun events you attend, like weddings. A brighter or lighter colour works well here, but I'd suggest sticking with plain or small, repeating pattern.
- aaaaaand, a casual tie. Whether you like the square-ended knit tie, or a woolen and/or tweed tie, or something else more informal, this will let you wear a tie in those less serious times when your other three are too dressy.
Thoughts?