Category: Discussion

It’s no surprise that here at Ties R Us we love a good tie! From fun polka dot bow ties to sleek options for black tie events, a tie can perfectly offset an outfit for a whole variety of occasions.

But, is it always appropriate?

If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably been in this situation: You’re getting ready for an event – say, a date, or a job interview. You reach for your tie, then ask yourself “Should I?”. Is a tie ever ‘too much’, and when should you leave yours at home? We were curious, so we carried out a survey asking when a tie is, and isn’t, appropriate.

The results are in…

Should I Wear A Tie At Work?

One of the most common questions men ask regarding tie wear is “should I wear a tie to a job interview?”. According to our survey, the answer is yes!

80% of you said you would wear a tie to a job interview. After all, first impressions count, and we’ve all heard it said that it takes only seven seconds to make a strong first impression. This means, like it or not, first impressions are judged largely on appearance. In a job interview, your interviewer will have most likely already made a snap judgement on you before you even begin talking – do yourself a favour, be professional, and invest in a decent tie.

Next we were curious – once you’ve actually bagged the job, do you continue to wear a tie around the office? The answer here was less clear. 59% of those surveyed said they would wear a tie around the office, with 41% saying they wouldn’t.

While some people see ties as a clear symbol of professionalism, there is a growing trend that sees a more casual dress code in workplaces. To answer the question of whether you should or shouldn’t wear a tie at work, you have to look at your job. Creative workplaces may have a jeans and t-shirt approach, however if you’re a client or customer facing professional, a tie will show you’ve made the effort and respect your job. Dress for your situation and your peers, and you won’t go far wrong.

Should I Wear A Tie On A First Date?

Once upon a time, a date meant following the full rules of ‘courting’. The man had to ‘woo’ his potential partner before the date, he always did the asking (and the paying!), and it was considered rude to meet in a public place – you would go and pick up your date at their parents house, and try to also win their approval. This meant ties were a must.

Thankfully, times have changed. Nowadays we have a much more relaxed approach to dating, so it was perhaps no huge surprise that 85% of you said you wouldn’t wear a tie on a first date.

If you’re meeting for a couple of drinks, brunch or a casual bowling session, rocking up in full suit and tie isn’t going to have quite the desired effect. Leave your tie at home for a fancier affair.

Should I Wear A Tie To Meet My Partners Parents?

So, it’s happened. The first date went well, and you’re now settled into a happy relationship. Great – until one day you hear the dreaded words; “I’d like you to meet my parents”.

Meeting the parents is like first date nerves all over again. You’re wondering what to say, whether they’ll like you and, of course, what to wear.

When we asked if people would wear a tie for this fateful meeting, we were met with a pretty even split. 55% said yes they would, and 45% said they wouldn’t. We know, we know – not that helpful if you’re stuck and looking for answers!

As with everything, look at your situation. Where are you meeting the parents – at home, or in a fancy restaurant? What are you doing? And what do you know about them already? Some people will go all out for a simple dinner, while some will keep it casual. Quiz your other half to try and determine the general dress code for the meeting – matching your attire to theirs is the best way to ensure you don’t feel too over or underdressed.

Should I Wear A Tie To A Wedding?

While we were on the subject of relationships and love, we just had to ask about weddings. We wondered, in this day and age, does the modern man still believe a tie is a requirement for a wedding?

The answer was a resounding yes.

First we looked at whether you should wear a tie to your own wedding. 92% said that they would wear a tie, with only 8% opting out. After all, if you can’t dress up and make an effort on your wedding day, when can you?!

Secondly, we were curious about whether the rules changed on somebody else’s big day. Should a gentleman still don a tie for the event? Apparently, yes – 90% of you said a tie was appropriate attire for a wedding guest.

It makes sense really – weddings are one of the biggest events in a person’s life, so you should dress for the occasion. At your own wedding you will be center of attention, and will want to look the part: at somebody else’s, a tie is a simple way to show respect for your hosts and the event.

So, what have we learnt?

We can see that while some events, such as weddings and job interviews, almost always call for a tie, attitudes towards wearing a tie in a social or day to day situation are varied. There are no hard and fast rules – it all depends on the people and the situation.

A tie does give off a more formal, professional and confident vibe, so is perfect for those events where you want to make a fantastic impression. And remember – you can always remove a tie and stow it away in a pocket if you feel overdressed, but you can’t pull a tie from thin air if the occasion calls for it. If you’re unsure, better safe than sorry!

For a stylish collection of men’s ties, bow ties and wedding ties, be sure to explore the full Ties R Us collection.

With Halloween just around the corner, here at Ties R Us we thought we’d take a look at some fantastic costume ideas involving our favourite accessory – the tie!

Shaun of the Dead

This is a great option for a last minute men’s costume – it is quick and easy, using items you probably already have in your wardrobe. Simply pair a white shirt and black work pants with a loosely fastened red tie, and make your own red cardboard name badge. Splatter yourself in fake blood and you have yourself a costume fit for a zombie apocalypse.

Doctor Who – the Eleventh Doctor

There is one accessory that simply screams ‘The Eleventh Doctor’, and that is the bow tie. Matt Smith’s Doctor favoured a burgundy red or blue bow tie paired with a pale shirt (white, pale blue or very pale pink is perfect), dress pants, suspenders and a tweed jacket. Throw in a sonic screwdriver and you’re good to go – and remember, bow ties are definitely cool!

Charlie Chaplin

Thinking of channeling the great Charlie Chaplin this Halloween? We think the iconic ‘Tramp’ look is perfect for anyone looking for a classically cool costume. Mismatching is key for this look. Choose clashing colours such as a bold red and white polka dot tie or cravat with a bright yellow waistcoat, and make sure your trousers, jacket and shoes are suitably ill fitting for the comedy effect. A bowler hat, cane, moustache and a touch of eyeliner will provide the perfect Chaplin-esque finishing touches.

Men in Black

This is another outfit that you probably already have sitting around in your wardrobe. A simple black suit and white shirt is all you need – pair with a skinny black tie and sunglasses and you’re all set. Of course if you want to complete the look in true style you’ll need some “big guns” – these blasters can be bought online or made at home if you’re feeling crafty!

Mary Poppins

And finally, one for the ladies! Another character who favours a classic bow tie look is Mary Poppins. Choose a bright red bow tie teamed with a white shirt, black skirt, blue jacket and black hat with a flower garland. For the authentic Mary Poppins look, carry an umbrella and doctors bag. Pop on some red lippie and there you have it – practically perfect in every way!

The tie as we know it to be today has had a long history, with the modern design roots dating back to the late 1800’s. As we’re all about ties and bow ties here at Ties R Us, we’ve taken a look at ties and bow ties through history – the evolution, the rise and fall of certain designs and the very best and worst of the styles made famous by music, films and celebrities.

In The Beginning…
The back end of 1800’s witnessed the introduction of the familiar design we’re used to seeing today, but it wasn’t until decades later that ties and bow ties were prominently featured in everyday fashion. After the first World War is when the much more flamboyant hand-painted designs were introduced to the fashion world, leading to everything becoming much more colourful.

1920’s
The 1920’s brought about two very different looks in the tie fashion world. The introduction of the first ‘designer tie’ popped up in France, being inspired by cubism and art deco designs with bright obscure colours and designs. The iconic gangster prohibition look was all the range in America, suited up with a smart plain dress tie, which spawned the white tie on a black shirt look.

1930’s & 40’s

One of the most famous tie knots, that’s definitely the most stylish, was invented in this era of history. The Windsor knot, invented by the Duke of Windsor, or his father George V (no one really knows!) Towards the end of the 1940’s the colour of ties were becoming much more subdued and less decorative, thanks to the incredibly surge in popularity of jazz and swing music, with Frank Sinatra being the ionic ‘poster boy’ for the end of the era.

1950’s

The 50’s, the era where it all became much more stylish and suave. Thanks to legends such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, the dark tie and bow tie came in with a bang, becoming every day attire. Of course bow ties were still only reserved for formal events or smart events. The era was leading towards a part in history where everything was becoming smaller and thinner, in regards to ties.

1960’s
In Britain ties and suits were getting skinnier, with everyday dress becoming more formal. The rise of the Mod craze in the UK, propelled by the likes of The Who, led to skinny ties being pushed to the forefront of fashion. A little band known as The Beatles were also sweeping the globe, keeping the dark coloured smart look ties in fashion with their legions of fans, especially in their early years.

1970’s
The era of the skinny ties continues, with up and coming bands such as The Jam keeping up the ‘mod’ trend. Thanks to the change in fashion the actual colour of the ties slowly started to creep back to becoming much more colourful and flamboyant. Another step was the invention of the kipper tie, which is where ties went bigger and bolder – with garish designs being prominently featured on most.

1980’s
In the 1980’s everything went a bit pear-shaped for fashion, the ‘kipper tie’ design was still out in full force and the decade also brought us the infamous piano tie. Fortunately the professional look ties were still intact, with many sporting subtle coloured striped ties, something which continued into the 90’s.

1990’s

Out with the garish and bright coloured ties and in with classy floral patterned and soft colour ties. The 90’s brought a wave of much more uniform and stylish wedding ties in an array of much darker colours. The pinstripe tie and polkadot bow tie, which were still only worn for formal events, had a massive surge in popularity which has stayed until this day.

2000’s – Today
Since the year 2000, the skinny or slimmer tie is still a massive choice for people around the world. Different materials that wouldn’t have been used for ties became popular, such as knitted ties in a variety of sophisticated stylish colours. Finally for it’s own turn in mainstream fashion the bow tie became an item of everyday fashion. Thanks to Matt Smith’s turn as Dr Who, whose portrayal of the Dr seen him choosing to wear a bow tie, he tried and succeeded to make this statement fashion cool again.

At Ties R Us we pride ourselves on staying ahead of the trends when it comes to ties and bow ties, take a look at our full range to find the perfect match for your wardrobe today.