So, I am not exactly what most would call a metro-sexual. If you are reading this blog, it is likely that this isn't news. At least one person has described me as “the straightest guy I know.” I am not sure that was meant as a compliment, but what the hell... I take what I can get.
All that said, I do have at least a small interest in men's fashion. Specifically, the areas of men's fashion relating to the proper fit, cut and style of suits, dress shirts and the proper way to tie a tie. To me this is only natural since I wear a shirt and tie most days. Also, show me a guy that didn't at least have some interest in knot tying as a kid. All boys love knots, I don't know why, but they do! This is an interest I have discussed more then once with one of my good friends, J.T. We have downed more than a pint talking about ties and tie knots. So what is the point of all of this?
Let me give you a little background first. As discussed in the paper, and later their book “85 Ways to Tie a Tie” given certain assumptions there are only 85 ways to tie a tie (excluding mirror images). To those of you interested in the basics, look here, for a more in depth look, start here.
After careful review of the literature, it seems to me (unless I am seriously misreading this information) my two favorite tie knots are not amount those considered among the “13 useful knots.” I find this deeply disturbing. I started tying these knots in the mistaken impression that they were a Windsor and a Half-Windsor. As far as I can tell, this was due to some bad information on the web and my misreading of some of what was out there. That said I think both of these knots look just fine. I am not the kind of guy that needs marching orders for everything, and I am certainly not going to stop using the knots, but I find it interesting that these knots aren't on the list.
For those of you that might be interested, here they are (using the notation most commonly used) Maybe I am just not reading the symbols and tables right...
My version of the “half-windsor:”
Li, Co, Li, Ro, Li, Co, T
This knot is a little asymmetrical, but not overly so. Really, I think it makes a nice compliment to a well tailored suit. It is not my everyday knot, but some days when I am feeling slightly off kilter myself it is quite nice.
My version of the windsor:
Li, Co, Li, Ro, Ci, Ro, Li, Co, T
This is my everyday knot. This knot is quite symmetrical and makes a nice, medium sized triangle. It is neither as large as a try windsor, nor as difficult to tie. I feel it fits better in most shirt collars (especially button down collars) than a true windsor.
I don't know. Maybe I am way off base. For those of you out there that wear ties, or have an eye for such things, tell me what you think.
Also... for the cooks out there, this site is awesome.
1 comment:
Two things:
1) Was it me who called you the straightest guy I know? Because if not, I second that! (And it is meant as a compliment, but not as a tear-down of metro- or homosexual men. Dudes who are upset by this: it is okay that two things are cool! Maybe even three, five or a hundred!)
2) Crap, I forgot what two is. Oh well! We'll make it a shout out: Rock on, Chicago!
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