They are totally pointless, get in the way, and can even be dangerous around machinery, so why do we still wear them? Women used to wear hats all the time, and now very rarely do. Is it a conspiracy?
2006-08-24 07:42:34 · 28 answers · asked by Oracle Of Delphi 4 in Social Science ➔ Anthropology
Same thing with turn-ups on trousers.
2006-08-27 06:46:25 · answer #1 · answered by lykovetos 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the 17th century wealthy men had lacy collar-bands to close their shirts; some were detachable so you could have a clean collar even if you didn't change your shirt. You tied a knot in the band to close the front or used a decorative pin, and the lace covered the buttons on your shirt. Poor people just had a long strip of material that they tied Ascot style.
Over time the stiff butterfly collar became popular, at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century, giving us the bow tie made of silk as a type of ornamentation. Collars and cuffs were still detachable, and some wore stiffened "false fronts" with their dinner jackets (US tuxedos), over the front of their real shirt. I suppose this was cheaper to change and launder than the whole garment.
In the 20th century people had more clothes and the whole collar-cuff-tie thing became obsolete, but the habit hangs on.
Women used to wear hats as a form of ornament and because women *had* to wear hats in church (a misinterpretation of something Paul says in one of the Corinthian epistles). By the 1960s it became unacceptable to kill exotic birds etc. to decorate hats because the poor creatures were being hunted to extinction. By the 70's women were more interested in comfort than traditional style, anyway.
I think men looked nice in Bogart-style hats, but you're right, neckties are pointless.
2006-08-24 07:58:56 · answer #2 · answered by anna 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Now if you wear to see how far the tie goes back in History you may not want to get rid of it at all. It's history is quite interesting indeed.
To sum up the reason for the tie here is a quote from Chic Simple written by Michael Solomon:
"They are not particularly comfortable. They always go out of style (or back in as soon as we have thrown them out). And they are not even practical. Yet the tie remains an essential part of a man's wardrobe because it unites all the elements of a man's outfit, giving him instant respectability and, above all, it is the ultimate symbol of individuality"
Sooo, you run off now and get your tie :).
2006-08-25 22:20:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Its probably a sort of social conditioning.
Some men shouldn't wear ties, people like labourers and car mechanics.
I tried going without a tie a few times but I felt awful and looked awful. You dont need a tie to play golf to go rock climbing or to work in the garden.
Horse for courses, its a bit like barristers wearing wigs.
2006-08-25 10:12:55 · answer #4 · answered by Paul R 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Wearing tie is the product of the modern culture, which has been adopted as norm and value to disply the scholastic, intellectual personality, and upper class personality. Even, it has been adopted in the offical and formal culture. Cultural formation does not have it's logic rather it keeps on building in the social life. In this way, the wearing tie is now in the unconscious faculty of mind comes to activate the formal culture especially to the men.
2006-08-25 01:39:33 · answer #5 · answered by digendra 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Men wear ties as a form of distinction. In an environment where all you have is a shirt and some sort of business suit, everyone looks pretty similar; the ties are the only way to do something a little different.
2006-08-24 07:46:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I was told many years ago by a school teacher that men wore ties in order to hide buttons! But maybe she was just attempting to get us to stop wearing ties the wrong way round or around the head like Rambo.
2006-08-24 07:51:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Ties evolved from cravats, as worn by the middle and upper classes and scarves by the working classes, around the end of the 19th Cent. They became popular when they were first adopted by the British Army, Officer classes as part of their uniform and these people carried the tie with them into civilian life. It became a badge of office in an office, for petty little bureaucrats who had ideas above their station. Their descendants are still with us today!
2006-08-25 02:22:51 · answer #8 · answered by Moyle-Ceefax 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Like women, men need accessories as well, wearing ties makes u look professional and an impression of high standard.
2006-08-24 13:07:56 · answer #9 · answered by K.P. 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't know why anybody is expected to dress uncomfortably. What good does it do? Ties started out as scarves to keep you warm in cold climates but its just tradition, and a mighty uncomfortable one, now. Why would it be impossible to work at a serious job in tennis shoes or even sandals and a comfortable old pair of jeans and a T shirt? Oh well. Ours is not a rational species, is it?
2006-08-24 07:45:46 · answer #10 · answered by jxt299 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Clothing is a question of fashion. In old times men did not
wear ties so perhaps someday ties may go out of fashion
and you will be happy, if you are still around. I wish you a
long, healthy and tie less life!
2006-08-24 07:59:08 · answer #11 · answered by Ricky 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋