Trying and Tying the Tie: Chapter 2: Why wear a tie at all?

The response to my first post about a tie was great. People have appreciated the passing on of knowledge on how to tie a tie correctly. However, the most common response that I got to the article was "Why wear a tie at all?" My response to this has layers. First I want to explore tie and what it means to wear one. Who gets away with not wearing a tie and why doesn't the world just emulate these people? Why should I wear a tie?

First looking at the neck-tie in history, we see that the neck-ties origins lie back in the early 1600's where Croatian mercenaries wore scarves ties around their necks during the Thirty Years War (en.wikipedia.org). These became known as cravats. Throughout history these developed, slowly, into the neck-tie that is seen being worn today. It was first worn as a fashion statement, however today it is worn as a sign of respect in business and social fare. In business the tie is a standard. Not wearing a tie in business is more of a graduation of class. Let's have a look at some of the famous non-tie-wearing success stories around today.

Richard Branson - Everyone's favourite Billionaire
 
Image courtesy of Askmen.com

The Reuben Brothers - The Richest Britons in the world
 
Image Courtesty of reubenfoundation.com

Armancio Ortega - Top Ten Forbes Rich List
 
Image courtesy of hot77.co.cc

However, when we look at those billionaires who do wear ties, the list is much longer - even Bill Gates, who was once famed for instituting a No-Tie policy at Microsoft now wears a tie when representing his Foundation:

 
Image Courtesy of komonews.com

The Richest Man in the world, Carlos Slim, also wears a tie to show respect to those he does business with.
 
Image courtesy of Askmen.com

So as you can see here, the time of the tie is not dead. In business and fashion it is worn to show that you respect those around you. If everyone else is wearing a noose around their neck and you're not, you can damn well bet that everyone else is picturing one on you. Making yourself a target much?

I often see wearing a tie as falling into line a little bit. Yes, they are impractical and basically a fashion accessory, however has anyone thought about the implications of not wearing a tie when it is expected? Think about a business meeting where you are at a boardroom table with 5 other professional men, all wearing ties. You are not wearing a tie. Are the men around the table thinking about your business pitch? Are they thinking about the product that you want to see them? Maybe they are, however that will not be first on their mind. I can guarantee that they will be thinking about the fact that you didn't finish dressing ourself this morning.

There is nothing wrong with falling into line here. The tie is not that much trouble. You can have a couple in your wardrobe for when you see clients. I know guys that keep a black one at home and a couple of striped ones in their office drawer. What wearing a tie does is to keep things easier when you are meeting new people in business circles. They are not wondering why you are not wearing a tie. They are thinking about the business that you have brought to the table.

For those of you who emailed me about the post and asked "why wear a tie at all" my answer to you is now not so layered. It's quite short.

You wear a tie because, in certain forums, it is expected of you and it's disrespectful not to. So wear one and be proud of it.