1234 comments Add a comment
Is there an uglier male fashion than a smart suit worn with an unbuttoned shirt and no tie? Almost invariably displayed on television nowadays by politicians and newscasters attempting to look "cool and with it", the actual result is that we are obliged to stare at several inches of pallid neck, bobbing Adam's apple and sparsely haired chest - thus distracting us from the seriousness of the news story.
this style of undress has largely become the habit of middle aged men...
It's noticeable that this style of undress has largely become the habit of middle aged men (John Prescott is now doing it - heaven help us!). It can't be long, therefore, before style-conscious younger men switch to something more becoming than a smart suit and an unbuttoned shirt.
May I suggest two alternatives to this scruffy fashion? Try the Nehru Jacket which was very popular in the 70's this style of jacket is actually based on the Indian sherwani apparently (see Wikipedia. It's smart, attractive and colourful, not to mention the fact that the high collar covers up those nasty double chins and unattractive wobbly throats perfectly!
Alternatively, how about the exquisitely-tied cravats worn by those 18th-Century dandies? At any rate though, lets loose the scruffy unbuttoned shirt thing and let's bring tasteful good looks back to our television screens!
By: Oracle2007
Leave a comment
Thanks for the advice and encouragement. On Thursday I travelled to and from work with the tie loosened and my top button undone, but done up at work. On Friday I left for work with the loosened look and pulled my tie up tight but left the top button undone while in the office - Fridays have a slightly more relaxed feel. I pulled my tie down after work, but didn't loosen off the tie in the office. I occasionally checked it was still covering the undone top button in fact so that my smart reputation remained in tact. I think we agree about going open-neck when the tie comes down too much, though obviously I'm not as courageous as you in letting it hang particularly loose. From your advice am I to take it that you loosen more at lunchtime and after work, or is it just that your tie is looser anyway so you're just encouraging loosening off to become the new norm?
21/04/12 Tie Right
11
Good move to have your top button undone but tie tight. That's how I started. I guess I was embarrassed to be seen with my top button undone, but over time it became more natural. Yes, go for that look. In fact, you can start tomorrow by leaving for work noticeably undone and then just tighten your tie w/out doing up the top button, and the just loosen more at lunchtime and on the way home in the afternoon. Yes, I basically agree that you can overstep by going too loose, so that it would be better to remove the tie and be open-necked completely. (However, I never go beyond halfway between top and second buttons.)
18/04/12 How loose
11
So your tie is pretty loose then - when I undo my collar the tie is just pulled down a bit, so it remains smart-ish. Maybe if I loosen off more the undone button will feel and become more normal? Or should I try to discreetly undo the button at work in the afternoon but keep the tie tight so that it doesn't look too different? Did you loosen off more over time? As I have liked wearing a tie done up fully I haven't gone open-necked and suited before. I take my jacket off if hot. But I do see other men going open necked and think it is better than being too loose - would you agree?
18/04/12 Tie Right
10
I see I have my work cut out then for you to be more comfortable having your top button undone. Good idea for you to be 'top button undone' on the way to work tomorrow morning, then you can make that your 'norm'! (one step at a time..haha) Then I'll work on the 8 hours inbetween travelling to and travelling from work. I don't very often wear a suit and open-necked shirt, I prefer to wear a tie. I can't remember the last time I did, do you often? OK, regarding how loose I can have my tie before it's too scruffy... probably when the tie is more than halfway between the top and second buttons. I like the top button visibly undone, but when the tie is really loose, it can look scruffy.
18/04/12 How loose
10
Fair play, How Loose! I leave for work and do my day at work with my tie and collar done up. I've started loosening off on the way home. If wearing a suit and tie outside work but for a function - e.g. evening work do or 'formal' social events like weddings - then I'll also wear my tie done up. So I'm not just 'top button done up' at work. I might try going to work loosened-off tomorrow as you mention it, and loosen off straight after leaving work rather than on the train. You previously said you tend not to go open-necked with a suit - ever or just more often than not? How loose do you think you can go before it is too scruffy?
18/04/12 Tie Right
12
Now you're talking Tie Right. You need to answer your own question by loosening off in the office (haha). So do you leave for work with your top button undone and then leave work in the afternoon with your top button undone? Just at work you are 'top button done up'?
17/04/12 How loose
10
Definitely. Glad no-one at our office gets so cross about attire, although as one who still wears his shirt collar and tie fully done up most of the time at work I wouldn't expect such a bawling. I wonder if it is worth trying to loosen off though a bit more in the office though? Might be more comfortable as you say stuart8 and How Loose thinks it is a good look.
17/04/12 Tie Right
11
Couldnt agree more with your comments Josh. To me it made sense to either remove or loosen the tie to avod damaging it. Ties should be able to be loosened off so you can work comfortably in my book.
09/04/12 stuarts8
1
I have just started working at a big law firm in the City. and last week, a colleague who had removed his newly purchased Gucci tie to avoid scuffing it during an epic document review was angrily bawled out by a partner.
"Where the f**k is your tie?" he demanded.
"I took it off because I didn't want to damage it," my colleague replied.
"Put it back on, and get that shirt collar buttoned" continued the partner, lowering his voice menacingly. "We pay you enough to buy plenty more f*****g ties, if you want to keep working in this office make sure you dress properly"
With the firms ommitment to formal dressing forever imprinted in my mind by that incident, I will not be losening my tie any time soon, but I found the partner's anger about my colleague's removal of his tie hard to understand.
05/04/12 Josh Waterston
"Where the f**k is your tie?" he demanded.
"I took it off because I didn't want to damage it," my colleague replied.
"Put it back on, and get that shirt collar buttoned" continued the partner, lowering his voice menacingly. "We pay you enough to buy plenty more f*****g ties, if you want to keep working in this office make sure you dress properly"
With the firms ommitment to formal dressing forever imprinted in my mind by that incident, I will not be losening my tie any time soon, but I found the partner's anger about my colleague's removal of his tie hard to understand.
2
"To what purpose do you post on a gripe site?" Very good question Boblet. My answer is too view your insightful words of wisdom.
03/04/12 Lidman
-2
Sorry about that "How loose" I must have had a senior moment.
03/04/12 Boblet
-3
It wasn't me that used the word debate.
03/04/12 How loose
8
What debate was that "How loose"? You & your cohorts do not debate you post the same words repetitively. Tie loose windsor shirt open neck tie loose windsor shirt open neck tie loose windsor shirt open neck tie loose windsor shirt open neck tie loose windsor shirt open neck tie loose windsor shirt open booted neck tie loose windsor shirt open suited neck tie loose windsor shirt open neck tie loose windsor shirt open neck tie loose windsor shirt open neck. This is neither debating or griping in my estimation. To what purpose do you post on a gripe site?
02/04/12 Boblet
-3
Thanks Stephen. You haven't posted for a while? How are you? Still suited and booted at work?
02/04/12 How loose
14
How loose