Ruche ties?

**Derek Conley** · 29th November 08, 05:37 PM

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** · 29th November 08, 05:44 PM

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

**DWFII** · 29th November 08, 06:21 PM

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** · 29th November 08, 06:31 PM

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** · 29th November 08, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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!

**James MacMillan** · 29th November 08, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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

**Derek Conley** · 29th November 08, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by DWFII

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** · 29th November 08, 07:45 PM

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.

**McMurdo** · 29th November 08, 07:48 PM

I like them when I don't feel like the bother of a bow tie for a somewhat different take on formal wear, of course it all depends on the ocassion.

**Tim Little** · 29th November 08, 07:55 PM

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.