Cute story about politics and fashion

[illinoisprogressive]

At one time, if you were an adult American male, you wore a hat, generally a snap-brim fedora. But the rule was: Man, hat.

But that changed on Inauguration Day, 1961. John F. Kennedy carried the traditional top hat but rarely put it on, and almost never again appeared in public with a hat. From then on, the hat was doomed as a male fashion accessory. Oh, sure, young males wear ball caps, often backward, but the look has failed to catch on in business and politics.

Now another politician may be signaling a landmark change in men's fashion. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has been campaigning tieless. And so, too, from time to time his rival, the well-coiffed John Edwards.

The Wall Street Journal notes that CEOs like Steve Ballmer of Microsoft, Jim McNerney of Boeing and Jeffrey Schwartz of ProLogis have been going without ties lately.

But nothing is ever simple like, say, just skipping the necktie in the morning and going tieless has its own set of fashion rules: one- or two-button jackets, never pinstripes; high, stiff collars, although the pajama collar is OK for a more informal look; and never let the T-shirt show.

Just as the oversize, baggy inner-city look is said to mimic ill-fitting prison garb, perhaps the new tieless look is intended to evoke jailed executives. Nothing says, "Hey, I spent the night in jail," like no tie and some stubble, especially if coupled with a missing belt and shoelaces.

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/jun/14/fashion-no-no-ties/

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

1. Wish the hat came back in style n/t

[kimmylavin]

3. Yeah, I like 'em too. :) n/t

[NYC]

2. I like the last paragraph you quoted.

Just as the oversize, baggy inner-city look is said to mimic ill-fitting prison garb, perhaps the new tieless look is intended to evoke jailed executives. Nothing says, "Hey, I spent the night in jail," like no tie and some stubble, especially if coupled with a missing belt and shoelaces.

[Hippo_Tron]

4. I don't think the tie is going to disappear

I think the only thing that is changing is that it's more acceptable to dress casually to go to work. I remember back in the 90's my dad would wear a suit to work every day. Now it's a sport coat and a polo shirt with slacks (or even jeans occasionally).

The tie will be around, but it will be reserved for important meetings and evenings.