Anyone here still using the old-fashioned neck decoration called a tie? If so then what knot do you use? I’ve noticed that in order to promote confidence and assertiveness the wide Windsor knot (requires a long tie) has become increasingly popular over the last ten years or so - especially among younger television presenters and bullish businessmen. In my day the Four-in-Hand and Half Windsor were the most common, but trendy young gentlemen now sport the once neglected Shelby and the flamboyant Double Windsor.
I don’t give a damn what anyone says the half windsor is where it is at. The wide Windsor might be popular and “promote confidience”, but that does not change the irrefutable fact (redundant right) that it’s a half step down from the bow ties clowns wear. Go with a Shelby that’s classy and chicks dig a Shelby (seriously there has to be some science behind it, it’s like vanilla that way).
Oh by the way I do wear a tie often. I can pull of bussiness regular, bussiness wierd, and bussiness punk all very well.
I can only do the Windsor knot but, thank God, I don’t have to wear ties anymore. In South Africa, with it’s hot climate, wearing a tie is almost like wearing a swimsuit at the South Pole. The only people here who still wear ties are the upcoming natives. They believe a tie makes them look important. I don’t have to LOOK important, I KNOW I’m important because I use snuff.
I can’t make any tie knots and wear suits only for funerals, which have been numerous lately. I have ladies to knot my ties. I really like Iranian president Ahmadinejad’s fashion sense.
If…and that’s a big if, I wear a tie, I resort to the hand-tied bow tie. When you work on equipment as much as me (even when I would normally not have to worry about it…i.e. random formal events…I usually get dragged into fixing something everyday including changing a fan belt in the rain in a full formal suit) those long things are strangulation waiting to happen.
an old boss of mine wore a bowtie to work . he was in construction in california so he wore work boots . shorts . short sleeve white shirt and a bow tie . he told me he could charge $10 more per hour when he wore the bow tie . think he is still the only person i have ever seen on a jobsite wearing a bowtie strange
I was toying with the idea of getting a bow tie, like these guys: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_bow\_tie\_wearers
Before I retired, I used to wear a suit and tie - a good double Windsor knot. It’s pretty much required in the banking sector where image is important.
Haven’t worn a tie since my Highschool Graduation in the 70’s. not much since in it while I’m working on Cars, lol. the only slacks I have are a pair of Khakis. No suits unless you want to count the one I got married in, back in 77. It is so out of style I realy couldn’t wear it unless I was going to a Maskerade (sp) party.
Four in the hand all the way!
As a boy, I wore cross ties, then a Windser tied knot, now I wear a black string tie if the occasion for dress up arises.
I can only tie a half-Windsor (being a bloody Yank) and only wear a tie to weddings and funerals, and not even then if I can avoid it. I admire a person who can wear a tie and pull it off, but on me they feel alien, much like wearing a ballcap…
I wear a tie every day, I feel somewhat underdressed without one. Generally I use the small knot or four in hand, but on occasion will go for a Windsor or Prince Albert. @PhilipS: I’ve not heard of the Shelby - how is that done?
@toffeenose - the “Shelby” is also called the “Pratt”. In British parlance, a “pratt” isn’t a good thing… The half-Windsor is by far the very best knot of all possible tie knots. It is formal enough (more so than the 4 in hand) for any occasion, while not being overly large or associated with stodgy old guys like the full Windsor. It works for almost any regular tie (no extra-long ties required). It rocks in every way. It is just coincidental that it is also the only knot I know how to tie…
Double Windsor.
@Geraldo: Thanks for the info (and being British myself I know exactly what a pratt is, having to deal with a number of them in the shop where I work…!). I just found a few YouTube videos on how to tie the Shelby/Pratt and other knots, and have decided to become more adventurous with my tie knots! I’m now sporting a Full Windsor, and will try the Shelby tomorrow at a do I have to attend. No-one will notice probably, but that isn’t the point, is it?
Half-Windsor is the only one I know how to tie too, and it’s been so long I’m not sure I could still do it… I don’t even own a sport coat that fits anymore! How’s that for going OT in an OT thread? 
My biggest irritation about wearing ties is those people who don’t get the knot centered on the collar. That just bugs the hell out of me.
It bothers you when people have brain damage ddavelarsen.
Naw; I have brain damage from a life of overindulgence, I’d be that last to hold that against anyone. 