The life of a necktie has but two conclusions. Most are thrown away when their width no longer pleases the eye due to changing fashion, for, unlike other clothing, I am not aware of a charity on the face of the earth that knows how to put out of style neckties to any worthwhile use. And, there being no effective way to remove stains, the rest come to a premature end during a meal.
That said, I am coming to believe that certain ties are more likely to die prematurely than others. I usually go years without destroying a tie but in 2013 I have already ruined two light blue garza fina grenadines in consecutive months. And I would put that down to coincidence had the same thing not occurred to two of my irreplaceable-in-the-short-term solid wine twills. Worse, the latter catastrophes occured in each case on the first wearing. It may be that I am simply becoming sloppier as I age, but I guarantee that I will not be tempting fate with a replacement of either design again.
Unfortunately, there does not appear to be a way to judge the propensity of a particular necktie to attract spills and so we are left with preventative measures. The best way to protect a tie from stains is of course to remove it before the meal, but neither that nor throwing the thing over the shoulder strike me as very well mannered. I am instead resolved to take my future meals wearing double breasted jackets exclusively, and to keep them buttoned while I eat. As the photograph makes clear, that leaves little of the tie exposed to harm, and furthermore what is in sight is somewhat shielded by the chin.
In the photograph, a red dots on white necktie that has stayed clean so far.
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15 comments:
Have you ever attempted to have a tie cleaned? I know tie crafters does it by taking apart the tie. I wonder how Rave Fabricare does with ties.
I have tried Tiecrafters twice. While they are fine at narrowing ties they have been unsuccessful at cleaning mine.
I clean my own ties. All the general advice about not cleaning ties oneself is hogwash, probably cooked-up by dry cleaners; it just takes a bit of ingenuity.
As for protecting ties, I wear a waistcoat if I go to a restaurant,which means I can even take my jacket off if they're being silly with the heating.
I keep a Tide stainstick in my briefcase.
I keep a Tide stainstick in my briefcase.
Another reason to wear more bow ties.
I agree with you, Will. Stains are impossible to remove.
You're tempting fate with a white tie, Will. It looks like a veritable magnet for bolognese sauce.
A vest or waistcoat of any kind is the best tie guard. And the the only ties worth even trying to clean are woolen ones. In the 50s, there were many for summer, made of lightweight worsteds in solids and plaids. Perhaps you could stock these.
"...I am not aware of a charity on the face of the earth that knows how to put out of style neckties to any worthwhile use."
Actually, a surprising number of out-of-style neckties get purchased at thrift stores and then repurposed, one way or another. Some get made into craft projects, others into bow ties, and yet others find their way around someone's neck.
True, there are hideous things from days gone by at many a thrift store, but even those might find new life when purchased by costume departments for plays or movies.
However uncouth it might be, I'll cover up with a napkin inserted into my shirt collar and draped over my chest to protect a Drakes tie. Wouldn't you?
I have donated disused ties here:
http://tiesthatmatter.org
Using the napkins tucked in above the top shirt button might help. On planes pulling up the blanket to cover the tie is another option.
P.S.: I have found Bac-Out by Biokleen to be an effective stain remover, for ties and other clothes, so if you have a minor spot on a tie, you could always give it a shot—especially if you've already resigned yourself to the loss of the tie.
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