Ruche ties?

[Derek Conley]

I stumbled across Ruche ties earlier today and have never seen them before. For the life of me, I cannot fathom what one would wear these things with or for what occassion(s).

Any input? I've no desire to wear them, but I'm curious just for general sartorial knowledge.

[MichiScot]

You've piqued my curiosity also! I wouldn't be caught dead in one of those.

[DWFII]

They look terrific with almost any formal wear...look at this photo--while I don't care for the colour particularly, it was the bride's colours. I had no choice and I still think it looks good.

I wear ruche ties of dupioni silk in preference to any other kind. But I also wear detachable wing collars frequently too.

[Derek Conley]

Ah, so is it a type of cravat?

The one in your pic looks much better than those represented on the site I linked to; perhaps those had something to do with my immediate distaste for the look.

[DWFII]

Ah, so is it a type of cravat?

The one in your pic looks much better than those represented on the site I linked to; perhaps those had something to do with my immediate distaste for the look.

It is a cravat. A rather old fashioned one.

Isn't that site you linked to the same one with the weird cream coloured, quasi-jacobite jacket and the cream shadow tartan?

'Nuff said!

[Derek Conley]

It is a cravat. A rather old fashioned one.

Isn't that site you linked to the same one with the weird cream coloured, quasi-jacobite jacket and the cream shadow tartan?

'Nuff said!

Ah... there is that, isn't there...

[Carolina Kiltman]

Seems we've been here before.

They are a form of cravat, but the older ones (from my younger days a half century or more back) were smooth when tied. I'm not so sure of this "rumpled" look myself, but they are more formal than the usual four-in-hand for a formal day occasion.

[Tim Little]

Coincidentally, I was looking into these earlier today after coming across this photo:



Doesn't look too bad, IMHO, but I guess might be better suited to an Argyll jacket than a PC (which really begs for a bow tie).

Also, for those of us who haven't been properly schooled in such things (i.e., most of us under 40?) this site gives the low-down on "proper" black tie attire:

http://www.blacktieguide.com/Contemporary/Neckwear.htm

Thought this was particularly interesting:

One of the ways that the English aristocracy used to maintain class distinction was to require clerks to incorrectly combine the formal wing collar with the informal long tie. Today, legions of similarly attired Americans seem oblivious to their resemblance to Edwardian barristers.

[James MacMillan]

I stumbled across Ruche ties earlier today and have never seen them before. For the life of me, I cannot fathom what one would wear these things with or for what occassion(s).

Any input? I've no desire to wear them, but I'm curious just for general sartorial knowledge.

They are very common in Europe... not so much here in the colonies.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

They are very common in Europe... not so much here in the colonies.

As an article of formal (ie: black tie) attire, the did enjoy a brief vogue in Europe, but went very much out of fashion about two years ago. That said, they are still the rage in the UK at Chav weddings.

When worn with day wear, or dressy evening wear, there is nothing particularly wrong with them, but I think one needs to be a bit of a dandy to properly carry it off. HRH Prince Michael of Kent always sports a proper cravat, and being impeccably tailored, these have become something of a personal trademark with the prince.

My personal peeve with the "ruche" tie is that it tends to be FAKE. That is, it is pre-tied, which is something every gentleman should avoid unless, and only unless, he has no arms. A gentleman ties his tie, he doesn't wear a pre-tied fake.