Will The Tie Die?

Michael Lewis, best selling author, is often seen wearing a jacket but no tie.


More and more we're seeing powerful,fashionable American males dispensing with the cravat. Perhaps this is a change in fashion, maybe the lack of a tie and an open collar are signs that comfort has become more important than appearance. The closely controlled artificial environment that surrounds moderns might be a factor. In any event, we should applaud the slow disappearance of a silly and meaningless fashion accessory.

 
Prince Harry doesn't dig ties, either.

 

Fashion maven Harvey Weinstein is often seen sans tie.

On the other hand, there are items of neckwear that do make sense, the kerchief, for instance.

 
There's a long tradition, maybe as long as the necktie, of American outdoor workers wearing a neckerchief. A rag worn around the neck keeps the icy winds of the Great Plains from blowing down one's chest, It can be worn wrapped around the face to filter out dust or snow. It can be used as a washrag or dishtowel. In the days before paper towels and sanitary wipes, a kerchief could be used to clean up a surprise mess. With a small stick it can become a life-saving tourniquet. Scrap your one-dimensional tie and knot on a neckerchief.