Back in the 1990s, the now defunct Australian magazine The Bulletin ran a column by John Gilmour titled “The Bootery” that covered a variety of business and economic topics from the perspective of the owner of a retail footware shop. Australia was in an economic recession in the early 1990s and one of the Bootery’s pieces was devoted to neckties. According to Gilmour, who actually ran a chain of shoe shops, in the then economic squeeze, men could get another year or two out of their suits with a few new ties, but to pull this off, the ties had to be bright, colourful and eyecatching. Fortunately, the market catered for this demand.
The developed world came through that recession, enjoyed several years of prosperity and sure enough, ties soon were again boring. During the 1990s, most ties on offer were fashioned, and that’s stretching the term, on a checkerboard rotated 90º with each square featuring – that’s another stretch – some non-descript pattern. When designers ran out of variations of the rotated checkerboard – it’s amazing it ran as long as it did – they reverted to an old favourite, the diagonal stripe.
Although Australia has been largely spared, the developed world was once again abruptly plunged into recession in 2007 with the GFC. However, the ties on sale, at least in Australia, are still boring diagonal stripes. Why is that? I maintain that Gilmour’s idea of neckties as an economic indicator has merit, but perhaps there’s a time lag. As one of those who like ties to be bright, colourful and eyecatching, I can only hope it isn’t long.
20/09/2010 at 16:27 |
Interesting point…
I guess it stands to reason that the diagonal stripe (or Club Tie) is a safer bet since, like most classical designs, it never goes out of style.
Designing something more adventurous simply involves more risk in these fiscally-difficult times.
Worse, however, is I have noticed of late that many senior manager do not wear ties at all anymore!
Let’s face it though, the tie is rather a redundant clothing item since the development of the button, and is unwelcome on the hottest of summer days.
Perhaps it’s time to rethink the tie..? How about an OLED-impregnated silk cloth that can change pattern on demand? Download new designs via your iPhone and Bluetooth them to your tie?
I’d buy one!
20/09/2010 at 16:42 |
Me, I love ties. I have over 100, maybe the equivalent of my wife’s obsession with handbags? A colleague once admired a new addition to the collection. I explained that I had bought it that day on my way to the meeting as I had spilled coffee on the one I had started out with. When I told him the price he reckoned that his suit had cost him less.
Over here the trend seems to be away from the wearing of ties altogether. Throwing of the bonds on management uniform maybe?
I always used to say that I couldn’t go to work without a tie on as my head would fall off, but I too am more often than not seen in a business situation without a tie on these days.
Having read your post though, I am inspired to buck the trend, and will resolve to wear my tie collection with pride. Hell, I might even buy some new ones.
Thanks Stephen