Back in Style: The Necktie
Men of a certain age, brace yourselves. Those who cheerfully accepted the new business-casual era that now prevails in a number of law offices may yet see the day when neckties once again are a required part of the professional uniform.
No less a fashion authority than the New York Times says this could happen. Thin ties are in with the younger set, the newspaper reports, and those over 35 are feeling pressured to follow the new trend.
“It’s too soon to tell if the tie will come back as a mandatory presence, or if its new allure will be transitory,” the Times says. “But while it is a smart and easy way to look both cool and professional, there is at least one rub.” Unfortunately, dress shirts that men buy to wear without ties may not look as good with ties, the article explains.
Before the national newspaper weighed in on the issue, some lawyers protested when a style expert advised the ABA Journal that ties could work well in a business casual ensemble.
“A tie is the equivalent of a human yoke,” wrote Paul Quinones, a Philadelphia lawyer, as a subsequent ABA Journal article on attorney fashion reported. “If the purpose of business casual is to be comfortable, then wearing a necktie every day defeats the purpose.”
