Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Fashion Wednesday with Unfashionable Osler
Often, when I have some memorable event (say, an oral argument on an important case), I will get a new tie for the event. I like the ritual of it, and then I can identify my ties with an event.
On Monday, before my lecture at Harvard, I set out to get a new tie at J. Press in Cambridge. I found three good candidates and laid them out, then solicited the opinion of a dapper-looking salesman. Here was our conversation (and yes, I started with a heaping helping of hyperbole in an effort to be funny, but he did not get the joke):
Me: I'm going to try to change the world tonight, and I think I need just the right tie.
Salesman: Of course, sir. That's why we're here. What color jacket will you be wearing?
Apparently, they hear that a lot.
He then proceeded to ignore all my choices and instead recommend the tie pictured above. It was a pretty good choice, really; much better than the ones I had picked out.
But... does anyone really notice what tie a guy wears? Really?
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I do! And then I try to crack the code. One time I figured out that a prof wore the same tie every Tuesday.
# posted by 
: 12:33 AM
: 12:33 AM
YES
I have a great friend (former co-worker) in Tampa and he has the most horrendous ties. A few years ago I bought him a few new ones for Christmas. It as easy to do since he was job hunting and after a number of years of business casual his ties were definitely out-dated!
He didn't disown me.
I have a great friend (former co-worker) in Tampa and he has the most horrendous ties. A few years ago I bought him a few new ones for Christmas. It as easy to do since he was job hunting and after a number of years of business casual his ties were definitely out-dated!
He didn't disown me.
Yes. Yes. Yes. AT least, women notice. I have no idea what kind of male code there is in ties, whether there is really a "power" tie or not . . .
# posted by : 9:11 AM
: 9:11 AM
For a long time I only wore solid color silk ties, and to this day I still only have one tie with any kind of stripes or patterns on it. People tend to notice when you wear something that stands out; in my case, it's the solid color silk ties since so few people rock them consistently.
Yes, people notice. I like to wear nice ties and get compliments all the time...sadly, its usually the ones someone else picked out the get the most positive response.
I think that is the item people comment on most in a man's wardrobe. It definitely is in my experience. The tie you bought was great; it was the quintessential J. Press tie.
# posted by : 11:55 AM
: 11:55 AM
Two things (two-and-a-half, realy):
1. Everybody notices a BAD tie.
An Aside: I actually prefer a tie that is understated (not the tie that everybody notices and can't stop talking about).
2. I think of the tie as something close to underwear (especially when wearing a suit)--and I love this story from the Golden Age of Hollywood:
On the set of GWTW the cast of thousands were being fitted and costumed. Upon being fitted with a fine silk undergarment, one of "Scarlet's sisters" told David O. Selznick, "Mr. Selznick, we could save a lot of money if we didn't use these fancy petticoats and other accessories that no one is every going to know we have on."
Selznick reportedly replied: "But you'll know you have them on."
He thought that made a significant difference. I agree.
1. Everybody notices a BAD tie.
An Aside: I actually prefer a tie that is understated (not the tie that everybody notices and can't stop talking about).
2. I think of the tie as something close to underwear (especially when wearing a suit)--and I love this story from the Golden Age of Hollywood:
On the set of GWTW the cast of thousands were being fitted and costumed. Upon being fitted with a fine silk undergarment, one of "Scarlet's sisters" told David O. Selznick, "Mr. Selznick, we could save a lot of money if we didn't use these fancy petticoats and other accessories that no one is every going to know we have on."
Selznick reportedly replied: "But you'll know you have them on."
He thought that made a significant difference. I agree.
Waco Farmer - I like your GWTW comment. This is why women like to have a few nice pieces of lingerie in their wardrobe.
I also remember saying to my husband once that I had one nice thing to say about GWB - I like his choice in ties.
That's all I'm saying.
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I also remember saying to my husband once that I had one nice thing to say about GWB - I like his choice in ties.
That's all I'm saying.
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