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June 17, 2008
Do Guys Wear Ties in Your Office?
At the beginning of June, there was a death in the world of fashion. No, I’m not talking about designer Yves Saint Laurent -- the Men’s Dress Furnishings Association, which represents necktie manufacturers, shut down. The reason? Guys just aren’t wearing the product anymore. According to a Gallup poll, only a record-low 6 percent of men wore ties regularly to work in 2007, down from 10 percent in 2002. It seems the power tie is out.
I’m married to a man who still ties the noose around his neck every day, since he’s an attorney who regularly meets with clients. His tie collection ranges from solid colors to seasonal ties featuring Santa Claus and jack-o’-lanterns. I think of his suit and tie as his work uniform -- easy to pick out in the morning, comforting in its sameness and setting a mood for the day. Yet to get his feelings on the neckwear, you only need look at our wedding pictures: Neither he nor his groomsmen were sporting formal ties with their tuxes. “I have to wear a tie every day to work,” my husband grumbled about his wedding attire. “I’m not wearing one when I have a choice.”
With summer here, you may also have ditched the tie. Or do you still wear one to work every day? Do you think they set a proper mood or are just fussy? Leave a comment below. And check out this article for men’s fashion tips for that next interview.
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Posted by Christine on June 17, 2008 at 02:07 PM in The Daily Grind | Permalink | Comments (43) | TrackBack (0)
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Comments
In the interest of full disclosure, I spent 12 years in Catholic schools where a necktie was the daily norm.
For most of my professional career, I was obliged to wear a tie. In the last 7 years, however, I have been fortunate not to need one (except for client visits, etc.).
Which suits me fine (pardon the pun), because I have yet to find any reason for a necktie as a garment. It does nothing, save for collecting stains, and needlessly closes the collar on a shirt.
I admire your husband's position on his wedding attire, and regret not thinking of it myself!
Posted by: Charlie on PA Tpk | Jun 17, 2008 2:46:00 PM
It definitely depends a whole lot on industry. As an IT guy, if you wore a tie it meant everybody knew you had an interview somewhere else that day 8). I admit I run with a different crowd, but a tie generally gets you laughed at with the nerdy set.
---Pete
--
Pete Johnson
Hewlett-Packard Company
Portals and Marketing Solutions IT Chief Architect
Work email: pete.johnson@hp.com
Personal email: pete.johnson@nerdguru.net
Personal Blog: http://nerdguru.net
Posted by: Pete Johnson | Jun 17, 2008 4:31:10 PM
I wear a tie everyday to work as I am an accountant and I think a tie looks more professional. That being said, I have noticed at lease a few other guys at work have ditched the tie or keep one in their desk in case a client pops in. I give them a bad time about not wearing a tie everyday, and I'm kind of sad to see the tie less work day becoming such a trend. I think ties not only make you look more professional, but they also are a way to show that you care enough to make the effort to wear one.
Posted by: Preston | Jun 18, 2008 1:15:48 AM
I'm a tie guy. I have about 100 ties -- almost all of them are striped. I'm also a white shirt guy.
I have a one person consulting and executive coaching business. When I meet with clients, I always wear a white button down collar shirt and tie. If clients in casual workplaces tell me that I needn't wear one, I always respond, "Sure I do. I'm meeting with an important person today -- you." My clients always apprciate this. I've found that dressing up is a good way to show respect for clients.
Also, I find that a crisp, starched white shirt with a nicely knotted tie -- along with a pair of highly shined shoes -- helps me get into the right mindset for business.
On my www.SuccessCommonSense.com blog and in my book "Straight Talk for Success" I suggest that people (men and women) should dress one level above what is expected of them. This gets you noticed in a positive way. My executive coaching clients tell me that once they begin wearing a tie to work on occassion, that people respond better to them.
Finally, I'm the son of a steelworker. I always joke that I went to college and graduate school so I could wear a tie to work.
I realize that dressing up for work is not for everybody, but I not only like to do it, I think it gives me an edge in a highly competitive business.
Bud Bilanich
The Common Sense Guy
www.SuccessCommonSense.com
Posted by: Bud Bilanich | Jun 18, 2008 11:39:39 AM
I personally am glad to hear this- I find both ties AND suits to be relics of a past age. Who says suits look good? I find them as appropriate as men wearing fedoras or bow ties in today's world: not appropriate at all.
Putting on a suit doesn't alter the performance, professionalism or any other aspect of a worker- I can be award-winningly brilliant wearing a comfortable t-shirt and jeans to the same degree I can be wearing a suit and tie, or even just tie and dress shirt. In fact, odds are I'll be more productive wearing the t-shirt and jeans over the suit, as I'll be more comfortable and happier overall in being able to express myself as an individual rather than blend in as "one of the sheep".
This is why no suit-and-tie job is ever on my job hunting list. And I've been unemployed a very, very long time- but I'll still never budge on that rule. To me, any company demanding you wear such archaic clothes is a company out of touch with the modern world!
Posted by: Jaym | Jun 18, 2008 8:34:10 PM
I just began my career in post-graduate life, finishing up my undergraduate only two months ago. The company I work for requires all males to wear a tie daily, a norm that I have had a hard time adjusting to, to say the least.
I do enjoy looking good and work, and I do feel that there is an added element of professionalism when one compliments the outfit with a piece of dashing neckwear.
Honestly though, it all depends on the profession. I work in phone sales, with no face to face interaction. Justifying my work outfit requirements is a tough sell for me, especially considering I could probably perform at an equal or greater level in a pair of Bears sweatpants.
Posted by: Jeff | Jun 19, 2008 3:12:05 PM
Wearing a necktie where appropriate
at your occupation is a positive sign of
professionalism and good grooming. It CAN
make the difference in who closes a sale in
any of a large number of highly competive
careers. "Dress for Success !!"
Posted by: Ray C. | Jun 19, 2008 9:04:49 PM
I’m still a sucker for a well-dressed man. Show me a movie with Cary Grant or Sidney Poitier nattily dressed in a suit and tie, and I just swoon.
So it saddens me to hear about the death of the tie at work. Maybe the burial of the power tie will lead to the revival of the dinner tie, boardroom tie or travel tie. In the world of all things casual, I would love another excuse to see business men return to an era of dressing well.
A girl can dream can't she?
Posted by: Mechele Pellebon | Jun 25, 2008 1:38:08 PM
I think that wearing a tie in a job that is made for a tie is right. People do recognize you more when you overdo things to impress them. Especially trying to get a really good job.. why not look the best you can! --Men and woman can wear ties. For a fact-- I have never wore heels except at my high school graduation- than i went for a job interview today. I dressed up! I was the only one in the whole room that dressed up that much. I think it showed that i was serious about getting the position and i wore heels. which is a big step for me! :)
The point being-- Just dress up for the right occasion-- u don't always need to wear ties or heels all the time. But when in the position of a job that it makes you look more professional i think its a smart idea--maybe COMMON SENSE!
Cassandra Pieper
Posted by: Cassie | Jun 25, 2008 5:34:53 PM
It's going to come to the point where only in a very few situations are you even *allowed* to wear a tie. Bud Bilanch may soon find it puts more people off than it impresses.
Right now I think it means "I work with money or the law." The message of "elegance" doesn't mean much today anyway, so best kiss it goodbye.
Posted by: Frank | Jun 30, 2008 3:01:13 AM
I am a firm believer in two old adages:
1. You never get a second chance to make a first impression and
2. If you're going to be the part, you should also look the part.
As a CPA and a former CFO, people always complement me on my Armani suits and ties. Especially in a profession such as finance or law, I am a firm believer that people expect a certain level of professionalism when meeting with us....and part of that professionalism is to dress accordingly.
As Mechele said....people are suckers for a well - dressed man.
As I always tell my children, styles may come and go but classy is always in style.
Just my two cents.
Posted by: Vincent | Jul 2, 2008 2:45:02 PM
I had not worn a tie for a number of years at work or anywhere else for that matter. Six months ago I was sitting in a nice restaurant with my wife, looked around and noticed that all the men in the building, most of whom were at least 40 years old, were dressed like my 3 year old son - shorts, tee shirts and many in ball caps (inside no less). The next Monday I put on a suit and tie for work and have worn one nearly everyday since, in fact I rarely leave the house anymore without a tie or at the very least a sports coat and LONG pants. I get made fun of occasionally as ties are only required once in a while at my job but I feel much better about myself. It is high time men in this country began acting as men instead of boys. Turn off the TV, take off your ball cap, put on a coat and tie and get out and start acting like a man.
Posted by: mark | Jul 2, 2008 5:20:06 PM
To be blunt I think a shirt and tie is simply a bad fashion statement. I'm forced to do this everyday at work now and it is beyond aggravating. Add to it that ties can be fairly expensive. With a suit I think a tie looks quit nice, but a suit without a tie can imo look far better.
Posted by: Dustin | Jul 2, 2008 6:38:39 PM
I myself don't wear a tie to work at all. I do however, have a rather large collection of them from my days of interning with a brokerage firm. My current job though allows the business casual attire, which extends in to allowing polo shirts as well, since we never meet with any clients. With this dress code in mind, it not even unusual to see the higher managers even sporting a polo shirt from time to time. It just makes people feel more comfortable while they are at work.
Posted by: Jaremy | Jul 2, 2008 6:57:22 PM
I used to enjoy wearing different kinds of ties, but that's in the past. It's also fair to say though that I'm nearing the end of my career and have no designs on moving up.
Any male employee who wants to get into management had better wear a tie. I agree with the notion that it shows respect for the people you dress for.
Posted by: justwinbabee | Jul 3, 2008 12:01:02 AM
Ok, I have to say I like wearing a tie to work along with a crisp dress shirt and a well tailored suit. I think casual work attire has gotten out of hand. I have worked in both casual and business attire establishments and I prefer the business attire. I never had to coach someone about showing too much belly or pulling their sagging pants up in a professional environment that had a business dress code! I believe that dressing the part makes a big impression on the people I deal with and it has proven out many times over. People feel they are talking with someone who can take action. Call me old fashioned...
Posted by: Jim | Jul 3, 2008 1:29:08 AM
I am an Art Director at a metropolitan ad agency. So no ties for me...unless it was for a great interview. Not even all the time then...I've landed jobs where I wore a black button shirt, first button open, no tie, some dockers, a belt and decent shoes during the interview. Even the account executives at ad agencies rarely wear ties and they have a lot of client contact.
Never did understand people's obsession with them in the first place. Atleast when Napoleon Bonaparte put metal buttons on the sides of the officers sleeves...it had a purpose. Stopped them from wiping their noses on their sleeves. Does a tie even accomplish something as simple as that? No. And I'm sorry...wacky ties in the name of showing you have "personality"...fives times as lame as a conservatively stylish tie. <--- Fact.
Posted by: Adam Kralic | Jul 3, 2008 1:57:38 AM
Things depend on personal choice. However, I wonder why there arises the question of to wear a neck tie or not to wear it. A neck-tie is not a fashion, but the size or color or design or material or all is. A shirt conventionally has buttons. Nobody should ask if buttoning the buttons is required or not. Guys wearing neck-ties at offices during working hours and as required by some dress code, if any, sounds normal and natural. Just like breathing or buttoning. Everybody has a home to expose his/her very self at his/her own discretion and among folks close to and understanding him/her. An office expects the visits of outsiders of different backgrounds and tastes. To tell the truth, there is always one common thing amongst messes of difference and differentiation: formal dressing at work is always the best and most professional. Do not rail against me if you cast a look at giants in Asia as your businesses can hardly ignore these potential clients who prefer formal dressing at service providers.
Posted by: Hoang Huu Phuoc | Jul 3, 2008 4:47:40 AM
While I certainly agree that one can easily look unprofessional by dressing down too much, I just don't buy that other people care that much about what we wear. Certainly not with frivolous clothing like a tie. I'm a designer with my company and never wear ties and rarely wear a jacket. As an example, yesterday, I went on a client presentation with the president of our company and an account executive. Both wore suit and tie. In 90 degree heat and humidity. I wore slacks and a nice dress shirt, but with an open collar. I was clearly more comfortable in our presentation and the clients responded to this in a positive way. They clearly didn't care that I was w/o a jacket and tie. Now maybe I can "get away with it" because of my profession, but I think my example is more common than not.
Posted by: Doug | Jul 3, 2008 7:47:34 AM
Jacket & Tie... very cool, very useful, very pain-in-the-...
But Business Casual ? Another wardrobe to maintain.
The hits of the comedy channel Jon Stewart/Steven Colbert wear suits... must be a reason
Instant respectability - looks sharp, but all business
Once you are discovered capable, appearance matters less, but first impressions are all appearance !
Posted by: mark theodoras | Jul 3, 2008 8:04:46 AM
I think wearing ties is a good, professional, impressive lost art! It definitely depends on your job (a mechanic, computer repair person, contractor, etc wouldn't need one) of course, but if you can you should wear one once in a while. My wife and I agree that the best thing that you can do is mix it up. Sometimes you can go with a sportier, sexy, and casual collared shirt without the tie look, but other days you can get a colorful, unusual, provacative, or stand-out from the shirt tie look. The possibilities with a tie are endless and can be impressive.
Posted by: Damion D. Campbell | Jul 3, 2008 8:23:57 AM
Think about it. Ties are a noose around a guy's neck!
Posted by: Sara | Jul 3, 2008 8:37:46 AM
Ties are an anachronistic item of clothing. They serve no purpose other than decorative. I worked for 20 + years for a company with a dress code requiring not only ties, but long sleeve white shirts and suits. Much of my day for the first 10 or so years, was spent installing and/or repairing equipment or pulling wires. I can't count the number of expensive ties that were ruined due to snagging. Same for dress shoes at $90 to 150 a pair (1980 prices). Guess the point of this is that, if the job DOESN'T require a tie to do it well (Quick, somebody tell one that does REQUIRE a tie!), then why require a most uncomfortable and inapproriate dress. You seldom see a doctor or dentist in a tie. Does that mean they don't know as much or are as good as one wearing a tie?
I've often heard the expression "Clothes make the man." Obviously first said by a men's clothing manufacturer to drum up business!
Personally, I'd rather deal with a banker, lawyer, doctor, college professor, or any other "professional" who is NOT wearing a tie. This says to me "I'm comfortable with whom I am and confident in my abilities and I don't need a tie to prove it!". Window dressing does not imply a superior product, neither does the presence of a tie.
Posted by: TomS | Jul 3, 2008 8:56:42 AM
I once interned for a judge who required ties of all the men who worked for him. The male law clerks would walk around with ties folded up in their pockets and then when they saw that the judge was in, would quickly pull out their ties and put them on...It seems like it would be easier to just have them on the entire time.
Posted by: M | Jul 3, 2008 10:07:46 AM
I have worked as an accountant in both business casual offices and offices that require a shirt and tie. In my experience, whether a tie should be worn or not depends on the office environment to begin with and what the job is for each paticular person.
I worked in an office that had just converted from shirt/tie to business casual. With this office, they could get away with doing that because of the overall professional atmosphere of the office. Plus, with the job some of us had, we spent half of our time in old dirty warehouses where we got absolutely filthy most of the time.
The job I have now is business casual. I am at the point where I would love for it to go to shirt and tie for men and dresses or skirts for women. As an entry level manager, I am close to my limit in telling people to dress more appropriately for work. I have people showing up for work like it is a day at the beach. Yet, upper management wants us to be 'kinder and gentler' in approaching employees about enforcing disciplinary policy for such abuses. I just want to make the department more formal dress across the board.
Posted by: Tom | Jul 3, 2008 10:17:01 AM
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