From Occult connections to a not-so-subtle, suggestive arrow pointing at the groin, the myths behind why men wear neckties are just as fun as the truth.
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On many occasions as a young adult, I’d put on a necktie for a formal event and wonder, “Why do I have to wear this thing?” At that time, the question was more a complaint than an intellectual inquiry. Seeing that many of my days now involve wearing a necktie, I am more intellectually curious about why this strange custom persists. In my search for answers, the suppositions, conspiracy theories, and plausible tales were equally as entertaining as the truth.
Practicality
Neckties are traditionally worn with a collared, button-down shirt. Perhaps these pesky buttons are an eyesore and simply require fabric with a bit more flair to cover them. Furthermore, because the traditional necktie length should hang down to the bottom portion of the belt buckle, maybe its purpose is to discreetly cover the buckle as well.
Style
While men’s collared shirts are now offered in all imaginable colors, the tried and true color is white. Pair that with a basic gray or black suit, and there is little to catch the eye. Perhaps the tie is man’s way to accessorize in otherwise bland formal attire.
Cleanliness
But with a necktie, the crumb glides along its own sliding board and flies into the ether beneath the table.
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Much as the cummerbund is the crumb catcher of the black tie affair, perhaps the necktie is a crumb catching sidekick. Imagine this: You sit down to a formal dinner, place your napkin on your lap, and begin eating your roll by tearing off pieces of bread and buttering them individually (as is custom). An errant piece of bread falls from your mouth. With no necktie, the bread may become caught in a fold of the shirt. But with a necktie, the crumb glides along its own sliding board and flies into the ether beneath the table.
Love
Legend has it that, headed off to war, a man’s wife or lady in waiting would tie her scarf around his neck as a remembrance and a promise he return. Since my wife is better at choosing ties than me, could it hold a snippet of truth that she sends me off to “battle” each day with the promise I will return?
Status
During the Industrial Age, when men toiled over dangerous machinery for an entire work day, the last thing a man needed was a long piece of fabric tightly tied to his neck getting caught in said machinery and causing his demise. Perhaps the necktie is a status symbol, a means of saying, “I’m not concerned about getting this fabric caught in machinery because my societal role doesn’t place me in such a dangerous position.” Until, that is, you lean to close to the office paper shredder, and quick thinking along with some scissors trumps any thoughts of status.
Sex
Like a walking, blinking billboard, perhaps the tie is intended to call the eye to look first at the groin, then lead up to the face.
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The way a tie is shaped when worn, it doesn’t take much imagination to see that the knot by the neck can represent the testicles while the hanging fabric is a phallic representation. Look more closely, and you’ll notice the necktie tapers to a “V” at the bottom, pointing directly to the man’s groin. Like a walking, blinking billboard, perhaps the tie is intended to call the eye to look first at the groin, then lead up to the face.
Occult
This conspiracy theory is a bit out-there. Some Occult followers believe that the concept of a necktie predates to early Occult ceremonies in which someone being initiated into the fold would have a noose placed around his neck, symbolizing his willingness to give his life for the higher purpose–in this instance, Satan. There are sites and sources that believe men who wear neckties today are essentially making mockeries of themselves by using an Occult symbol as formal wear.
Masonry
I am not a Mason, and claim no direct knowledge of the validity behind these claims. Some believe, though that the necktie resembles the “cable tow” used in early level Freemason rituals. Unlike the supposed Occult symbolism of willingness to die for a cause, the cable tow is interpreted by some as similar to the umbilical cord that ties mother to child. Once removed, the individual now binds himself to a higher cause and purpose. A la Dan Brown and The Da Vinci Code, could our neckties be Masonic symbolism hiding in plain sight?
Purposeful Discomfort
Since neckties are not always the most comfortable attire, perhaps the constant discomfort forces the wearer to focus on the business at hand. Then again, when I am uncomfortable, my mind tends to wander to that which makes me uncomfortable rather than blocking it out.
The “Truth”
The reality is, there is not necessarily a firm, definitive reason neckties are worn today. Dating back to the B.C. Terra Cotta soldiers or the Croatian mercenaries wearing knotted scarves (later dubbed “cravats”) around their necks during the Thirty Years War, the necktie has seen multiple iterations of style, width, length, and knotting. Like many fads and styles, the necktie has morphed and engrained itself in many male cultures. Moreover, it is now a fashion adopted by women and even incorporated into female school uniforms.
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Regardless, if you’re like me, the next time you put on a necktie, you’ll be watching extra closely (and self-consciously) to see where people’s eyes stray first. And if their eyes stray where the arrow points, well then, maybe casual Friday isn’t such a bad idea.
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Image credit: Ben Garney/flickr
If you don’t like it, don’t take the job that requires it. There are norms in the corporate world and they will not be going away because some people struggle with them. With all that”s screwed up in this world, to concern yourselves with having a dress code, seems like a waste of time and energy. Proper attire goes beyond ties. Several years ago I has the position of Vice President of sales and marketing where I had a sizable staff under me. The president of the company had scheduled a down state meeting where along with the president and… Read more »
Those jobs are the only ones that are worth having. Everything else is low end service sector work for peons.
Neckties need to die. Your boss has no *Right* to tell you how to dress. Dresscodes are unconstitutional.
Actually I have seen a lot of changes in the work force where more companies are okay with dress pants and polo type shirts and such. Some companies have dress down days (generally on Friday). Look back into the 50’s- men were commonly seen in suites and hats. My wife went to a business school where she was required to wear a dress, hat AND gloves. Oh yeah, things have changed. Most sartorialists agree that the necktie originated in the 17th century, during the 30 year war in France. King Louis XIII hired Croatian mercenaries (see picture above) who wore… Read more »
Dunno about any of your theories but the necktie is something thats time has come and needs to go the fuck away.
I once worked for a company where the dress code for men was dress shirts and neck-ties. I’m a software engineer, and rarely had any customers come through the office. For us there was no obvious reason to dress so formally. If someone came in without a tie on, the COO would bring him one to wear for the day, or send him home to change. We all considered the tie a sign of oppression, sort of like the company had a firm grip on a noose. I don’t work there any more, and I can wear shorts and a… Read more »
You seem to be unaware of the existence of bow-ties or any other type of necktie beside the conventional “four-in-hand”. How would bow-ties and others fit into your various theories?
He’s not “unaware”; he just didn’t address bow ties because of their minimal representation in today’s workplace. He also didn’t discuss ascots, for example.