Ties

**Tobus** · 17th October 12, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by Dangerdean

What's four in hand?

Google can be your friend!

http://www.tie-a-tie.net/

As you can see on that page, the Four-in-Hand knot is an asymmetrical knot. It's very simple to tie, and uses less length in the knot. I'd say the vast majority of ties you will see worn today are tied with the Four-in-Hand knot. I really think it's because most men don't know any other knot, or they prefer the simplicity of it. But I think it's a bit of a casual 'haphazard' look. It seems very popular to wear this knot with a shirt that's unbuttoned at the very top button, so the tie is worn a bit loosely and casually.

You guys might want to check out this thread from a year ago where we had some interesting discussion on tie knots.

**frank_a** · 17th October 12, 06:06 AM

By golly, that four-in-hand know is the knot I have used for decades. Many, many moons ago I knew how to tie different knots, but now can do the four-in-hand blindfolded and have it come out correctly! I think I'm going to make up for long ties with either letting them hang over the kilt a bit, tucking the tag end in, or tucking the whole tie end in, at least till I get my tweed waistcoat! I have noticed as well that my tartan ties are shorter, and I have a few others like that. How about boy's ties? Can they work for men wearing kilts and be about right?

Frank

**Jock Scot** · 17th October 12, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Google can be your friend!

http://www.tie-a-tie.net/

As you can see on that page, the Four-in-Hand knot is an asymmetrical knot. It's very simple to tie, and uses less length in the knot. I'd say the vast majority of ties you will see worn today are tied with the Four-in-Hand knot. I really think it's because most men don't know any other knot, or they prefer the simplicity of it. But I think it's a bit of a casual 'haphazard' look. It seems very popular to wear this knot with a shirt that's unbuttoned at the very top button, so the tie is worn a bit loosely and casually.

You guys might want to check out this thread from a year ago where we had some interesting discussion on tie knots.

Good lord man whatever next!!??

In my world, you would be shot------well, metaphorically speaking anyway------for wearing a tie loosely knotted with the top shirt button undone! We either wear the tie properly and with the top button done up, or we don't wear a tie and have the top button undone. Nor would we wear no tie and have the top button done up either! Aaaaaaarrrrrrrrr, for goodness sake give me a stiff drink someone!

**frank_a** · 17th October 12, 08:05 AM

I need a stiff drink too. All my ties are tied with shirts that have the top button buttoned. My boss wears a tie and never buttons his top shirt button. Argh! I have to work with a number of guys who don't know how to dress!

Frank

**Tobus** · 17th October 12, 08:13 AM

I agree, Jock. This trend probably started with yuppies and hipsters who have done a number of questionable things with traditional dress styles. It's an odd fashion trend, where they dress nicely, but intentionally sloppy. Like the "bed head" mussed-hair look, ties worn loosely and casually with only the simplest of knots, and in many cases the shirt tails left untucked! Somehow this style has worked its way from a certain minor demographic into society at large. It seems to be considered appropriate office attire for all but the most conservative places.

It used to be that unbuttoning the top button and loosening the tie (as well as rolling up one's sleeves) was something you did at the end of a long day, or when you needed to perform some activity that required physical exertion. Now people intentionally dress this way in the morning, and start off their work day with it. I don't really get it. But it seems to be the trend.

I also notice that many folks wear shirts that are improperly sized at the neck so they couldn't even button that top button if they wanted to. I'm not quite sure what the logic is in this, but nevertheless it seems to be the trend. It's all part of the unfortunate swing towards a more casual dress code in our society.