The ties that bind no longer

Please enter your password

by Lucy Kippist

110
This concern for Thomson won’t change the script

by Mark Kenny

210
Weekend Punch: Tea or coffee?

by The Punch Team

310
Eurovision can’t drown out the human rights abuses

by Claire Mallinson

410
Revenge. It doesn’t get a whole lot better than this

by The Punch Team

510
Friday dilemma: can school bullies grow out of it?

by Tory Maguire

610
“Fizzy”, “gusto”, “disco” and other words we love

by Lucy Kippist

710
Ray Beckwith: the science behind the wine

by David Penberthy

810
The world puzzles over Australia’s Prime Minister

by Mark Kenny

910
A crude stereotype is the hallmark of a lame card

by Daniel Piotrowski

1010

by Eleanor Miller

01 Jul 05:40am

Must Reads

Eurovision can’t drown out the human rights abuses

Revenge. It doesn’t get a whole lot better than this

Friday dilemma: can school bullies grow out of it?

123

Filed under: Clothes, Fashion, Men, Ties

71 comments

A funny thing happens when the men in my South Australian office travel interstate: the first thing they do is remove their ties.

This is why South Australia isn't allowed to play state of origin anymore. Photo: AP

Adelaide men, you see, still wear ties to work.

Apparently their counterparts in the Eastern states do not (at least in the media industry). A colleague who’s been visiting Sydney and Melbourne a lot of late says open neck shirts are the go.

Wearing a tie apparently looks stuffy and ``backwards old Adelaide’‘.

Hmm… I prefer to think of our tie-wearing habits as quaint, delightfully old fashioned and somewhat formal as opposed to ``backwards’‘.

But I must admit I’m sucker for a fella in a nice suit, crisp shirt and tie, a la Cary Grant (provided, that is, he has a reasonably long neck).

So what is it that makes ties so attractive?

Well, for one, they give the impression of tradition and all the reliability and dependability that goes with it.

Secondly they’re just… I don’t know… manly.

Thirdly they stop you from looking like a hospitality worker every time you remove your suit jacket to reveal a stock-standard white shirt and dark pants.

Most importantly though, they give just a little glimpse of the personality that lies beneath said white shirt, and dark pants.

A tie says a lot about its wearer.

A small, navy and pink print, that, on closer inspection, turns out to be a delightful pattern of elephants says ``I’m subtly quirky’‘.

A fat brown and green `70s stripe says ``I might wear a suit but really I’m an alterno muso’‘.

Navy and white cheques say ``Excel spreadsheets feature strongly in my life… oh and I think I know a lot about wine.’‘

Cartoon characters say ``You see might see me as juvenile and annoyingly extroverted, but I prefer to think of myself as whacky!!!’‘

Meanwhile, bowties of course scream ``AVOID’’ while cravats say ``Masterchef fan’‘.

Fair enough ties are not always the most comfortable item of clothing.

But, given men already have so little scope for expressing themselves in their work suits, why would they want to give up their only option for a splash of colour?

Claude Di Vittorio, a well-known Adelaide suit fitter of more than 35 years’ experience says there’s another big problem with men ditching ties: they don’t know how to wear open-necked shirts properly.

``You can’t just wear an everyday business shirt under your suit without a tie - its looks like you’ve taken off your tie and you’re headed down for Friday night drinks,’’ he says.

``When you take out the tie, the shirt becomes the focus of the outfit and it needs to be the right one.

``That’s where things start to get a bit tricky.’‘

According to Claude, you have to find a shirt that is actually designed to be worn without a tie - with a slightly higher and flatter than-average-collar, and cuffs.

Moral of the story?

If you’re going to go tie-free, get yourself a decent non-tie shirt from a proper menswear shop with helpful staff that know what they’re doing.

Or show off your nice long neck and quaint individuality with a tie - and think Cary Grant thoughts.

Share post:
Print page:
- Print Article

Most commented

430Australia, you have nothing to fear but fear itself

390There's no one Thomson won't burn to save his skin

335Animal experiments won't cure me from cancer

313Thomson didn't answer the question everyone is asking

265Who murdered the Arts degree?

246A big day for Thomson, who thus far is guilty of nothing...

231South Australia. It's the middle bottom bit.

231Craig Thomson speaks. Meanwhile, in Australia...

71 comments

Show oldest | newest first

- Liz says:
  
  06:58am | 01/07/10
  
  So true!!! Go Adelaide guys don’t let them tell you you’re boring, you’re the best! A tie is so revealing ans so sexy!
  
  Reply
Graham S says:

04:30pm | 01/07/10

Liz, dear Liz. “Adelaide guys you’re the best”, good heavens, you’ve been slurping one too many of that awful SA beer. Adelaide guys think a mullet is the height of fashion along with their department store suits stone washed jeans for the week-end and crusing about in their old Torana’s. A sophisticated night out is Hindley Street and a tie is what they tow their mates broken down car with. Get over to Chapel St or Collins St as fast as you can to see fashion & style
- Mike H says:
  
  07:08am | 01/07/10
  
  The reason so many men remove their ties is because they are so uncomfortable. It’s OK if you have neck like a scrawny rooster but for many of us it’s like having a choke chain around our necks. And wearing a tie in summer is just uncomfortably hot. It may be a fashion statement but many of us have cursed whoever invented the bloody awful thing all our lives.
  
  Reply
AFR says:

08:55am | 01/07/10

If that is the case, its nothing to do with wearing a tie - you are wearing the wrong sized shirt.
Sahara says:

09:28am | 01/07/10

Isn’t it so obvious. having a tie on isn’t going to choke you however if doing up your top button makes you uncomfortable then, as AFR so rightly points out, you’re obviously wearing the wrong size shirt. It’s not rocket science fellas.

BTW if your shirt pinches you around the neck it’s more than likely too tight elsewhere and making you look like a bit of a dick. This is often seen on men who are refusing to accept that their getting both older and fatter which makes them the subject of much derision behind their backs.

A good tie can make or break an outfit. The tie a man chooses says so much about him. However the lack of a tie in a professional setting says so much as well. Usually it says “look at me , I’m a try-hard wannabe without a clue”.
Mike H says:

09:56am | 01/07/10

That’s nonsense about shirt sizes. For me to wear a shirt that will fit my neck the arms will drag along the floor. And I am not fat—simply a canoeist and sportsman with shoulders and a neck that have been developed through exercise.
As far as ties in a professional setting it is purely fashion and tradition dictating we wear them. I do better job being comfortable than being trussed up like a turkey wearing a suit that has an impractical jacket which does not keep you warm in winter but makes you sweat in summer and simply is statement of one upmanship. And yes I am professional and I am forced by out dated nonsense to wear uncomfortable and impractical clothing to fit in.
A Bob says:

11:28am | 01/07/10

@Mike H: people with non-standard physiques need a tailor. I have a similar complaint and fortunately can go tie-less at work. If I needed to dress up occasionally I’d get myself one good tailored shirt for those times but stick to my el-cheapo Target stuff the rest of the time.

I miss they days I worked in Asia where I could get tailored clothes so cheaply. Well fitting clothes are much more comfortable, but I’m too cheap to buy them here in Aus.
Dingo_aus says:

11:32am | 01/07/10

Mike there are shirts that have fractional fitting (different sleeve lengths to neck sizes). Myers or DJs will set you right.
Sahara says:

02:11pm | 01/07/10

Gee Mike, if your clothing doesn’t fit then maybe you should do something about it. perhaps stop buying the cheap crap at Best & Less and hop along to a decent clothing shop. Even DJs or Myer will do.

I don;t know what sort of “professional” you are but if you can’t solve the problem of “uncomfortable and impractical clothing ” then I wonder how you manage to solve other problems. Like it or not appearance is important. If I was a clients and my lawyer turned up in an ill fitting suit I start thinking about getting a new lawyer.

Although I can buy “off the rack” I buy the vast majority of my clothes (certainly all my suits and business shirts) from places where they can be altered to fit me properly. This is what most business professionals do.
- David says:
  
  07:32am | 01/07/10
  
  I’m with the Crown Prince of the Netherlands who refuses to wear a tie and made the comment that “there’s something psychologically disturbing when millions of men get up each morning and put a noose around their necks.”
  
  Reply
Phill says:

10:17am | 01/07/10

You beat me to it David, was going to say the same thing.

An outdated accesory that is not needed in this day and age.
- Super D says:
  
  07:42am | 01/07/10
  
  If you had to pay off an east coast mortgage you wouldn’t want to waste your money on ties.
  
  Reply
- DG says:
  
  08:28am | 01/07/10
  
  dressing in Number 5’s for business is still considered the most appropriate for business and there is nothing finer…
  dark blue suit, black shoes, crisp white shirt and striped tie
  
  the UA steered away from ties and went to polo shirts and chino pants in the 90’s for business- its now swinging back to suit and tie
  
  coke sniffing, T shirt wearing, advertising execs can keep there ties too- for when they want to have there autoerotica pleasures
  
  Reply
- Rainbow says:
  
  08:38am | 01/07/10
  
  I rather like the colourfulness of ties - but not noose like - maybe a loose tie past the undone buttons. A big turn off to most women now is the dark suited, dark tie which screams of funerals and feudalism.
  
  Reply
- martin says:
  
  08:45am | 01/07/10
  
  well ties should be manly - they are a phallic symbol after all, - i suppose you think lipstick is just to make your face brighter too, the reality is lipstick originated to make the face lips represent the vaginal,
  
  Reply
- Bateman says:
  
  09:01am | 01/07/10
  
  I work in Sydney (always have) and when I worked in law firms and accounting firms a tie was compulsory. Holwever, we wore more traditional and conservative ties. Some of those things you mention look like they’re being worn by a bunch of tryhard hipsters trying to employ “irony”.
  
  I now work in a finance firm and no-one really wears ties unless we have a client meeting. I just have a few ties stashed away in my desk drawer. Haven’t bought a tie in a while but cufflinks are now the go.
  
  Reply
- AJ says:
  
  09:04am | 01/07/10
  
  Ties are evil. And they’re incredibly uncomfortable. Sure, women also sacrifice comfort to “look good” (for example, high heels) but there is something particularly disturbing about voluntarily putting a noose around your neck on a daily basis.
  
  As for the shirts, it seems more labels are offering shirts which display the personality of their wearer without needing a tie (even if most of them seem to end up resembling pyjamas). Hopefully that trend will continue.
  
  At the very least, can’t someone invent “neck wear” that isn’t so uncomfortable (other than the cravat)? Surely there must be a way to wear a piece of colourful fabric around your neck that is comfortable, but isn’t a scarf or cravat.
  
  Reply
- Julia says:
  
  09:05am | 01/07/10
  
  I wore a tie for 6 years, for school. And I’m a female. I loved wearing it. I never found it uncomfortable. I still wear ties now and then, if I want to add a little something different to my work wear. It is unfortunate that blokes have to wear them every day in summer, but mate, I have to shave my legs every day to wear a skirt in summer.
  We have our own crosses to bear.
  
  Reply
martin says:

12:27pm | 01/07/10

dont confuse a want with a need, you dont have to shave, you choose to, many occupations require ties, no choice there
Nicole says:

12:48pm | 01/07/10

Couldnt have put it better myself! Man up boys!
John says:

01:00pm | 01/07/10

Your point about shaving is a bit silly considering we shave our faces and necks pretty much every day of the year, or end up looking like robinson crusoe.
- centurion48 says:
  
  09:18am | 01/07/10
  
  This article says so much more about Adelaide than it does about ties. When I (thankfully) left Adelaide nearly thirty years ago I felt I had been released from gaol (they don’t say jail in Adelaide). The shackles were off.
  When I visit Adelaide I immediately notice that nothing much has changed. The cars on Adelaide roads are models not seen for twenty years elsewhere. The people still act as if it was the 20th century, probably whilst (another Adelaide affectation) wishing it was the 19th century. And ties.
  Grow up Adelaide. Work is not a fashion show. Turn up, do your job, go home and relax. You are not there to impress some dizzy dame in the office.
  Mind you, in the east we don’t have ‘Navy and white cheques’ either. I think that was a Don Dunstan thing.
  
  Reply
Saskia says:

12:10pm | 01/07/10

Care to say where you live now?

Yeah lets all wear overalls and bathe once a week.

Your move was Adelaide’s gain!
Sass says:

02:12pm | 01/07/10

I love Adelaide - it’s a great city to live in and I’m proud to call it home. And seriously, why the Adelaide bashing? I usually find those having a go at someone or something else reveals more about their own insecurities and shortcomings.
Old Monaro says:

03:45pm | 02/07/10

Gaol is more an Australian way of spelling, than an Adelaide ( or South Australian ) specific thing, but if you want to be more American and write it ( its actually hard to “say” gaol any differently than jail ) as jail instead, go for it.

You may also feel free to drop the “U’s” from colour etc, and to americanise the rest of your vocabulary by substituting S’s with Z’s where appropriate, you lozer.

Mind you, as you come from the east, ( now ) rest assured that whatever you feel, think or do, will not bother us in the least, we could hardly be less concerned, as you are of no consequence to us ( well, speaking for myself mainly ) at all.

PS. 30 year old cars these days can be quite valuable collectors items, and not all of us are so scared we have to run away interstate just because South Australia has more murders. ( Just remember that last sentence if you do come back, we can pick those from the “East” a kilometre away. Its the way they walk + the smell )
- iansand says:
  
  09:31am | 01/07/10
  
  Ties schmies. Why do we wear suit coats in summer? If you are going to get rid of a ridiculous item of clothing dispense with the coat, not the tie.
  
  Reply
- pixie says:
  
  10:22am | 01/07/10
  
  There’s something about going out to dinner with a bloke who’s taken off his suit jacket and is sitting opposite you with sleeves rolled and tie still on. When he loosens and takes off his tie in front of you - well that is a wonderful sign - he is very relaxed in your company, and it can be slightly suggestive too. My husband has copious amounts of ties, all with various colours and patterns, that betray the logical engineering serious side of his personality! And he loves choosing a tie to match a coloured shirt, it makes him feel good, smart, and more professional and gives that little bit more confidence for those important business meetings and conferences. Please, let not the tie go the way of women’s hats and gloves!
  
  Reply
- Appalled of Sydney says:
  
  10:41am | 01/07/10
  
  Just come to North Sydney to see hordes of poorly dressed men. Far worse than the city. Badly fitting suits, business shirts undone to the second button, no ties (probably just as well give the appalling taste on display otherwise), scruffy shoes. Ironic that there is one of the best menswear outfitters on hand. Some of us try to keep up a decent standard, but we are increasingly a minority. Final comments. If you wear a suit, wear a tie. If you don’t want to wear a tie, wear trousers and a proper jacket. At least that way you won’t look like you didn’t finish dressing in the morning.
  
  Reply
- David says:
  
  10:44am | 01/07/10
  
  Eleanor, why were ties invented? It was in Europe to keep people warm by closing up the top of the shirt….now living in Australia, why do we need to wear them apart from your whole ‘fashion’ point of view which comes through in the dribble of this excuse for an article! Wish I was paid to write rubbish…
  
  Reply
godsky says:

05:23am | 02/07/10

Sadly your are wrong.
It derived from the cravat, worn by croatian mercenaries.
I personally cannot stand ties at all.
And for people who think they look smart, i think you need ya heads checked.
- Homme says:
  
  10:57am | 01/07/10
  
  If wasn’t to wear a tie how else am I suppose to wipe food off my face in a pinch?
  
  Reply
stephen says:

11:44am | 01/07/10

I thought ties, with their vertical lines, were meant to show off the broadness of the horizontal shoulder. Plus they point to paraphernalia below the belt-line. But some blokes now are wearing makeup, so i reckon soon, sheilas be insisting we be wearin ties as tails.
(If yer get my drift.)
- NEFFA says:
  
  10:57am | 01/07/10
  
  Ties are to men what high heels are to women.
  They look hot, but are incredibly uncomfortable and impractical. I suggest the men mix it up, ties somedays, open necks others and t-shirts for weekends only.
  
  Reply
- MP says:
  
  11:09am | 01/07/10
  
  Well, it’s not just the men in Adelaide who are a bit stiff-looking in their ties… What surprised me a lot is that the SA women always prefer to buy a jacket with a MATCHING skirt! Urggghhh…
  
  Reply
Saskia says:

12:13pm | 01/07/10

Coz mix and match is so in! Have your lot not heard of Coco Chanel or been to Europe?

The east coast gets their fashion tips from Supre it seems.
- Henry says:
  
  12:07pm | 01/07/10
  
  Australians are daggy lets face it. And the East coast is the home of dag. As someone who worked and lived in the world finance capital of London I can tell you that ties are in as are good suits and shirts. Adelaide men are far better dressed from what I saw in Sydney and Melbourne and don’t even mention Perth and Brisbane!
  
  If you want to be ‘world’ cities then lift your game! Sydney looked all the the world to me as an overpriced rat race devoid of culture and full of daggy professionals full of themselves with not a clue about their true place in the world.
  
  Ties forever. Good on you Adelaide.
  
  Reply
Peter says:

01:58pm | 01/07/10

I see these Adelaide men every second week in Melbourne when they come to follow Port Adelaide. I don’t think these people would even know what a tie was. Well dressed Adelaide people? I didn’t think they could afford it..
- Peter says:
  
  12:50pm | 01/07/10
  
  I used to wear a tie religiosly until one day I woke up and realised that they are the biggest waste of money imaginable. They make you look like a geek, they are pointless, and for $100 i’d rather buy a jumper..
  
  Ditch the ties guys.. Its a stupid piece of material hanging around your neck for no reason at all… And you look better in a nice open neck shirt..
  
  Reply
- hot tub political machine says:
  
  01:01pm | 01/07/10
  
  I dig wearing a tie but I find it amusing at the same time. If anyone thinks we have evolved beyond the codpiece and other phallic symbols I submit the tie. A massive arrow pointing at our genitals.
  
  Reply
- Charlie's Wardrobe says:
  
  01:16pm | 01/07/10
  
  Nice article actually. I’m one of the few non conformists that does wear a suit and tie most days of the week not because I have to, but because I like to and enjoy it. I do work in a client based industry where I am front of house often, but could easily get away with open neck which I do once or twice a week.
  
  I also don’t believe in Casual Friday, which I think most people use as an excuse to dress like slobs rather than professionally casual and have a theory that Casual Friday was a big factor in the financial crisis happening. Lets face it, when your dressed properly for work, you do have more of a work hard mindset than when in jeans and trainers on a Friday when it’s bludge time.
  
  I do feel sorry for some of the guys that have to wear them though. Dress well to please yourself, not someone else….
  
  Oh, and learn to shine your shoes gents. The amount of guys I see with horribly scuffed shoes boggles my mind. Some conditioner, wax, a good cloth and brush and a good glass of scotch plus a bit of elbow grease is all you need! Trust me women notice.
  
  I’m only 30 by the way, but slowly I’m seeing more well dressed fellows around the traps.
  
  Reply
Wayne Kerr says:

04:31pm | 01/07/10

I’m with you Charlie; I’ve spent years not wearing a tie. I’ve just started a new job and I’m wearing a suit and tie (even though I don’t have to). I look good, I feel good and I get complimented by the ladies regularly.

As for ties being uncomfortable, that is rubbish. It’s the ill fitting collar that chokes, not the tie.

Shoes; YES YES YES. again I agree compleely

good to see there are still people that care about their appearance
- Schmavo says:
  
  01:23pm | 01/07/10
  
  I reckon this tie is diappearing because it’s so damn hard to find a decent one. It seems that boring is all the rage. Last decent tie purchase was on a business trip to the USA a couple of years ago. And I’m in need of new ties. Ebay here I come.
  
  Reply
- Vivienne says:
  
  01:25pm | 01/07/10
  
  I like watching to see when politicians, whilst campaigning, choose to wear the tie or not. This simple garment can convey the mode of formality they wish for their appearance, and what sort of demographic pitch they’re going for. It reveals whether today they wish to be seen as a man of stately authority or a man of the people.
  
  Reply
- AFR says:
  
  01:36pm | 01/07/10
  
  Think you look ok without a tie? I have two words for you: “ABC Weatherman”. He looks shocking.
  
  Reply
- saneman says:
  
  01:41pm | 01/07/10
  
  If you are basing your opinion of someone on the print of their tie then that speaks volumes about you as a person. Also if as a person you feel the only way to express your personality is through a piece of material worn around your neck then you probably dont have a lot to offer other than listing a variety of local tie stores in your area.
  
  Reply
- Fred says:
  
  02:00pm | 01/07/10
  
  Henry - maybe in the world finance capital that’s the fashion, but Adelaide hardly qualifies as such a place.
  
  Reply
- Mr Pastry says:
  
  02:06pm | 01/07/10
  
  Ahhhh the male fashion accessory that became the office noose. The symbol of consensual thinking and suburban office administrative conformity. Go into businesses where the staff are paid to think and not follow procedure and policies, there will not be many ties, its what is in their heads that matter.
  
  Reply
- Peter says:
  
  02:14pm | 01/07/10
  
  Ties are evolving. Get on board -
  
  http://www.pillowtie.com/
  
  These should be standard issue in the public service.
  
  Reply
- Mary says:
  
  02:21pm | 01/07/10
  
  Love a man in a tie. There’s something sophisticated and sexy about a suit and tie. I think it also gives a nod to tradition, a respect for the past. Think Cary Grant in that pinstripe suit and dark tie - HOT!!
  
  Reply
- Ray Andersson says:
  
  02:24pm | 01/07/10
  
  The tie is a relic of ancient times where slaves had to wear a metal device around the neck that could have a chin attached. This became a sign of slavery. The white neck meant a recently released slave. The church adopted this form of neckwear as a sign of total obedience to their god. I still see the tie as a representation of a slave to an employer or sign of subservience and total obedience to a master.
  
  Reply
Tim says:

03:21pm | 01/07/10

Oh please. Why not consider your underpants a constraint imposed on your love tackle by the devil while you’re at it?
NoTiesNoUnderPants says:

07:36pm | 01/07/10

Spot on Ray, it is a tragic mark of willing subservience, couple the tie with a hefty mortgage and faking success and decency is complete. No-one is a better person or works harder for wearing a tie, it just means you are willing to be compliant and good eager office fodder.
- Janette says:
  
  02:50pm | 01/07/10
  
  Ties colour up and individualise otherwise very very boring suits. Don’t be afraid to express yourselves with a tiny but significant bit of colour.
  
  Reply
- FRC says:
  
  02:50pm | 01/07/10
  
  open neck is lazy, open neck and suit is diabolical.
  
  Reply
Peter says:

04:10pm | 01/07/10

Open neck shirt with a suit.. The girls love it…
- Steve says:
  
  03:55pm | 01/07/10
  
  Ties were originally scarves used to wipe up after meals. How they became formal wear is a mystery. Having a left-over wipe-rag is now perceived as being “manly” and “formal”. Give it enough time and I’m sure you could make bow-ties (why the hate?) or open neck shirts “manly” and “formal”. Fashion is idiocy.
  
  Reply
- David says:
  
  04:18pm | 01/07/10
  
  A tie can look great. It should not be compulsory to wear them though Business/Professional men suffer enough having to wear pants in summer. And before any women comment on this statement any choices you make to wear certain types of clothing or footwear are a ‘choice’ - you do not ‘need’ to wear high heels or stockings etc whereas a business man cannot choose his clothing so freely. He cannot wear shorts (or a skirt) when hot or a nice cotton top if he wants to have something comfortable up top - it has to be a business shirt. But women can dress to suit the climate. And they do. And good luck to them. So let’s not get on to us about the ties thanks.
  
  Reply
Lola says:

03:40pm | 05/07/10

Men suffer enough having to wear pants in summer? Are you kidding me!?! Women have to negotiate a new outfit each day - rather than just throwing on a suit. Add make-up, a hairstyle, perfumes, waxing, shaving, plucking, heels for the office/flats for the walk to the office . . . and don’t even mention trying to get to the gym in your lunch break. For women it aint just a shower then back to work it’s shower, make-up, blow-drying hair, . . . . . And no David, it’s not a choice. A suit is deemed appropriate and professional office wear for men. A women, to get the same respect, has to be ‘on trend’, looking fresh neat and tidy and has to wear make-up and have neat hair.
- Colin Chater says:
  
  05:39pm | 01/07/10
  
  Been out of Oz for ten years but just got back from a holiday in Perth. No ties, looked scruffy and unprofessional, I wear a tie for work and it gives power so I use it.
  
  Reply
- JM says:
  
  06:35pm | 01/07/10
  
  Ties are descendants of the cravat which were worn by Croatian military men in 17th century. Initially they were adopted by the French and their main purpose has always been to be fashionable.
  
  I find it sad that people like to use the excuse that comfort outweighs tradition when it comes to dressing nowadays. People no longer take any pride in their appearance and confuse comfort with laziness. A well fitting suit, shirt and tie should be and is extremely comfortable.
  
  Ties aren’t the only thing that has gone “out of fashion.” People don’t dress up the way used to. Think about the old movies and movie stars and how immaculately dressed they were all the time. Black tie now refers to wearing a suit and tie when technically it means a tuxedo and bow tie. Again this is quite disappointing. Given the intricacies and amount of detail involved, dressing in black tie seems almost regal-like. There’s a lot more to it then just putting on some pants and a jacket.
  
  But women aren’t much better. I don’t know how often I see women under dressed or inappropriately dressed. No matter her age, a well dressed woman will always look a knock out over one who’s just showing a lot of skin.
  
  Reply
- Tom says:
  
  08:30pm | 01/07/10
  
  Be wary of any doctor wearing a tie. Numerous studies have shown that as ties usually aren’t washed very often, and also that they can flop down and touch patients etc, they act as a vector for numerous diseases. Hence, anyone involved in healthcare with direct patient contact should either wear a bow tie or go open neck. In the case of doctors, neck ties are can be genuinely dangerous.
  
  Reply
- mikk says:
  
  10:43pm | 01/07/10
  
  Its funny how the uniform of the oppressors is seen (rightly) as so restricting on ones personality. It is a conformist mode of dress that signifies your willingness to suffer and bow down and submit to the wishes of your boss. A slave in prison grey with a noose around youre neck.
  
  Reply
Chris says:

08:50am | 02/07/10

mikk, maybe if you wore a tie, smartened up your attitude and quit dishing out the hard done by slavery stories you might actually be be the boss one day yourself. Oh and it’s “your”, not “youre” in that instance.
- SkepDad says:
  
  10:45pm | 01/07/10
  
  I love wearing good ties, but avoid them at work for the psychological distance they puts between me and my (generally non-tie-wearing) clients.
  
  Say what you like about them being superfluous or old-fashioned, a well-fitted suit, shirt and tie gives a man confidence and gravitas.
  
  However a well-fitted Prince Charlie, hand-tied bow tie, the family kilt and a dignified cocksuredness transcends any fashion of the day. Just a little tip from me to the younger lads.
  
  Reply
- rodney says:
  
  11:36pm | 01/07/10
  
  you shouldve seen the looks i got when i wore a tie to maslins, i was stared at like i was some sort of weirdo. its just that i felt naked without it.
  
  Reply
- David says:
  
  08:51am | 02/07/10
  
  If you were about to go into brain surgery and your (male) surgeon met you looking professional with a tie, or looking casual without a tie. Which one would you feel safer putting your life in their hands. I am glad all these men are not wearing ties as it allows me to stand out in a crowd as a professional. In funtions senior people always gravitate towards me in a crowd because I wear a tie when most do not, it makes me look professional and senior to the others.
  
  Reply
AT functions says:

10:17am | 02/07/10

like judging a book by its cover, it only takes a few minutes to discover that usually the most glossy covers contain the least substance. If youre making decisions for brain surgery based on whether or not the doctor is wearing a tie or not, well, id just like to mention, jayant patel often wore ties.
Tom says:

10:59am | 02/07/10

As I mentioned above, David, if it were a neurosurgeon wearing a tie, I would immediately be suspicious of him. Doctors should not wear ties. They are usually washed infrequently, and flap about and come into contact with infected surfaces. There are several studies that have concluded that ties are an excellent means of transmitting various nasties.

This is one article published in the British Medical Journal: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/326/7401/1231-a

You have to ask yourself - which would you prefer - a doctor who looks ‘professional’ (if you consider having a noose around the neck to look professional), or one who is taking a simple step to minimise the spread of infection.
Tom says:

10:59am | 02/07/10

As I mentioned above, David, if it were a neurosurgeon wearing a tie, I would immediately be suspicious of him. Doctors should not wear ties. They are usually washed infrequently, and flap about and come into contact with infected surfaces. There are several studies that have concluded that ties are an excellent means of transmitting various nasties.

This is one article published in the British Medical Journal: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/326/7401/1231-a

You have to ask yourself - which would you prefer - a doctor who looks ‘professional’ (if you consider having a noose around the neck to look professional), or one who is taking a simple step to minimise the spread of infection.
- Di says:
  
  04:56pm | 03/07/10
  
  Dressing up or down? The wearing of a tie, a scarf, jewellery or maybe a hat? It’s all up to you. No rules. That’s all OK. But we do tend to casualise our dress these days. That’s OK too. We want to connect with each other, be ourselves, natural and casual dress is an expression of this. What, though, of dressing with understated elegance and style? How little we see of this now. It’s a pity. It has its place and it denotes pride, respect for others and a certain decorum which, now, is often lacking in the way we communicate with each other. The tie an Adelaide thing? Then let’s keep this remnant of expression. Such a shame that others have given it up.
  
  Reply
- Peter says:
  
  02:52pm | 17/12/10
  
  I work with Claude. He loves to smoke Bat. He hangs out on weekends at Gay Beats with his boyfriend driving his yellow MX5!
  
  Reply

Facebook Recommendations

Read all about it

Punch live

Up to the minute Twitter chatter

farrm51 26 May 12 09:22AM

RT @mumbletwits: +1 MT @meadea Adding voice to the boss RT @abcmarkscott: Hereby instruct @Colvinius to make a swift return to good health. (Take care Mark.)

Colgo 25 May 12 10:37PM

Greece makes the final and Ireland gets in on a golden ticket. How awkward and embarrassing. Love it. #sbseurovision

antsharwood 25 May 12 10:00PM

Every single #eurovision band is roxette #sbseurovision

antsharwood 25 May 12 09:58PM

The weird thing about #eurovision is you've got this massive collection of dorks in a room and no one is wearing Spock ears #sbseurovision

See all tweets

Nosebleed Section

choice ringside rantings

From: They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

Michael S says:

"A teacher at Geelong Grammar had criticised her for using words that were too long, which had left her confused and had made her doubt her ability to write essays. She became ''quite distressed'' when her English marks began to fall." I can sympathise. My scholastic mentors conveyed to me a causal relationship… [read more]

From: Welfare for breeders is a bonus for everyone

Change Up! says:

I have no problem paying my taxes. As a single, childless person on a very decent income, I can afford it and not have my life severely altered. Plus I understand that my taxes paying for things like schools, childcare and infrastructure is ultimately a good thing. A better community is better for me… [read more]

Light weight

Gentle jabs to the ribs

They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

A private school girl’s family is sueing her elite, extremely expensive private school for not… Read more

243 comments

The ties that bind no longer

Must Reads

Most commented

71 comments

Liz says:

Graham S says:

Mike H says:

AFR says:

Sahara says:

Mike H says:

A Bob says:

Dingo_aus says:

Sahara says:

David says:

Phill says:

Super D says:

DG says:

Rainbow says:

martin says:

Bateman says:

AJ says:

Julia says:

martin says:

Nicole says:

John says:

centurion48 says:

Saskia says:

Sass says:

Old Monaro says:

iansand says:

pixie says:

Appalled of Sydney says:

David says:

godsky says:

Homme says:

stephen says:

NEFFA says:

MP says:

Saskia says:

Henry says:

Peter says:

Peter says:

hot tub political machine says:

Charlie's Wardrobe says:

Wayne Kerr says:

Schmavo says:

Vivienne says:

AFR says:

saneman says:

Fred says:

Mr Pastry says:

Peter says:

Mary says:

Ray Andersson says:

Tim says:

NoTiesNoUnderPants says:

Janette says:

FRC says:

Peter says:

Steve says:

David says:

Lola says:

Colin Chater says:

JM says:

Tom says:

mikk says:

Chris says:

SkepDad says:

rodney says:

David says:

AT functions says:

Tom says:

Tom says:

Di says:

Peter says:

Facebook Recommendations

Read all about it

Punch live

Up to the minute Twitter chatter

Recent posts