Today's post about Chipp got me thinking about emblematic ties. They're not often mentioned in 'ivy' circles, although the Tradds seem to like them.
I have a couple, one by Chipp: spaniels or pointers or somesuch, silvery-white and red-brown dogs on a navy background. Really pops on a white shirt with oxblood brogues.
The other one is silver and gold spouting whales on a navy background, also fun. The gold works well with blazer buttons.
What do you like, or can you not stand the bloody things?
Is it the 'ironic T-shirt' of the Tradd?
i'm not a fan of "fun" clothes at all and would never entertain the idea of a tie with emblems
No spectators on the feet, no fedora on the noggin then...?
I see your point. My acid test for all things Ivy is Boyer's 'Curmudgeon's Lament' essay, and they don't get a look in there.
I'm still quite often tempted by them as an alternative to repps and knits. I feel they should have a slight incongruity to them too.
Funnily enough the one emblematic I would definitely not wear would be one of a school or club.
I can think of plenty emblems for my old school, but nothing I'd want emblazoned on a tie...
I like emblematic ties. I wear them on days when I do not have client meetings and am more apt to wear them with a button down collar shirt. I think they dress down suits a bit.
Emblem ties, mmm Moose, not my bag mate. Straying too close into Homer Simpson Socks territory for me.
Last edited by The Beatnik (2009-07-10 02:50:59)
^
Just to clarify, it's not jokey print ties I'm on about - it's patterns of woven emblematics. Could be anything from hugely unfunny pheasants to (seen once on ATF, a cracker) gnomes carrying steins of beer.
Maybe more of a preppy thing?
I'm hardly one to comment really Moose. I'm not a big tie man really. I'm lucky, I don't have to wear one at work and i'm too bone idle to don one for leisure time.
I have about a dozen or so, but it's the old weddings, funerals thing.
I do like the sound of a 'hugely unfunny pheasant' though.
I think they're OK if they're not emblematic of something you're actually into. I have a nice burnt-orange wool tie with fishing-flies. I have never been fishing in my life.
I think they can, if chosen very carefully, make a nice change from stripes. I recently bought a very 'collegiate' example - 'collegiate' in the sense that it looks as though it should be the official tie of some exalted seat of learning. To the best of my knowledge, though, it isn't (although I haven't wearied myself checking up - I just liked the look of it). I feel the same way as I do about Paisley (or any other tie): muted is best.