All tied up!

[Greenday]

I've worn a tie plenty of times, and I have yet to learn how to tie a tie. I have my step dad do it then I just adjust it for myself.

[matty]

Well, the comments on here seem split down the middle, speaking approximately. I should add that I do enjoy wearing a nice looking tie myself from time to time - I go for something that's colourful, but in a stylish rather than cartoon way.

What actually took me longer to remember to be careful about, rather than the ties, was that it is usually choosing the wrong shirt-collar size that feels tight around your neck, not the tie itself.

[MadMike]

Count me in as another one who's never learned how to tie a tie. Several people showed me how to do it, but I still couldn't figure it out. I finally got someone else to tie all of mine, and I simply loosen them enough to slip them on and off of my head when I need them.

[cinema guy]

The boys wore ties at school, so I learned how to tie one at 11.

[HalloranElder]

Some time ago I came across some really good videos on how to do ties:

• Four in Hand Knot
• Half Windsor Knot
• Full Windsor Knot
• Bow Tie

Very useful. I hope this helps someone.

[Seshat]

What actually took me longer to remember to be careful about, rather than the ties, was that it is usually choosing the wrong shirt-collar size that feels tight around your neck, not the tie itself.

Just as they* say some huge percentage of women wear the wrong size bra, I think a lot of men wear a shirt that's cut badly for them.

Don't ever buy a dress shirt just based on what the package says. Try it on. Make sure the collar is comfortable around your neck, and the shoulder seam sits on the place where the shoulder meets the arm. Also make sure you can move your arms freely, that the arms are either the right length or too long, the body of the shirt is either the right length or too long, and that the shirt doesn't pull tight anywhere.

A shirt which is too long in the arm, or which hangs off you like a paper sack, can be easily altered to fit you. If it's too short in the arm or body, or if the neck or shoulders are wrong, it's very difficult (or impossible) to alter and have it look right.

If one brand or one make of shirt doesn't have a size that fits right in the un-alterable ways, try other brands or makes within the brand. Most people will find some shirt style that fits their neck and their shoulders, and has enough fabric in the shirt.

As for me: I had to wear a tie all through school. It was part of the girl's uniform.


* You know, THEM

[Knightmare]

I'm going to wear a Christmas themed tie at work. The kind that light up and plays music.
Brown work pants, Tan short sleeve shirt, tan baseball hat, and an ugly light up musical Christmas tie.

I just hope it won't get caught in a pump or something.

[Imogene]

My sister wore ties in high school, until Avril Lavigne started copying her.

I distinctly remember an episode of Chesterfield where some teeny bopper bimbos wandered into the store, while Awesome Lesbian AM was working. Teeny bopper bimbos see Jennifer Beals on the cover of Flashdance, and one suddenly says, "She's so copying Avril!"
AL AM walks over to teeny bopper bimbos, and says, "Well, seeing as this movie came out long before Avril was born, that's not possible. If anything, Avril's copying Jennifer."
Teeny bopper bimbos walk out of the store in a huff.