Ruche ties?

[James MacMillan]

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.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

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

As an article of formal (ie: black tie) attire, the did enjoy a brief vogue in Europe, but went very much out of fashion about two years ago. That said, they are still the rage in the UK at Chav weddings.

When worn with day wear, or dressy evening wear, there is nothing particularly wrong with them, but I think one needs to be a bit of a dandy to properly carry it off. HRH Prince Michael of Kent always sports a proper cravat, and being impeccably tailored, these have become something of a personal trademark with the prince.

My personal peeve with the "ruche" tie is that it tends to be FAKE. That is, it is pre-tied, which is something every gentleman should avoid unless, and only unless, he has no arms. A gentleman ties his tie, he doesn't wear a pre-tied fake.

[McClef]

I can't tie a cravat and I can't tie a bow tie and I am not trying to emulate Prince Michael of Kent.

And I suspect that many gentlemen can't either.

And I cannot agree that pre tied ones are fakes either, they are a convenience for the less dexterous amongst us.

[DWFII]

And I suspect that many gentlemen can't either.

And I cannot agree that pre tied ones are fakes either, they are a convenience for the less dexterous amongst us.

I'm with you in liking ruche ties but that said...

I'm no gentleman and I can tie my own ties.

Maybe it's just the eye of someone who works with his hands and makes things from raw materials but I think the pre-tied ones look fake, as well. They appear to me to be mechanically impossible and I spot them right away.

As I said in an earlier post, learning to tie at least one knot for my ties is something I learned about the same time I learned to shave...and it was about on a par with learning to shave. There are websites that show have illustrated instructions on how to tie a Four-in-hand or a Half Windsor, etc.. If a simple illustration on a website...not even a video...can teach a person to tie their own, it can't be that hard. And really it's not.

[Bugbear]

Though I don't yet have a clear idea of what a ruche really is, I do remember generally what a ascot and a cravat are. I think I would choose a cravat.

Oscar Wilde said or wrote a whole lot of things I disagree with, but I have to agree with this one. I've tried to read up on what is and is not "in" on a lot of the men's fashion web sites. I do not buy into that stuff anymore, and try to keep everything basic.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

And I cannot agree that pre tied ones are fakes either, they are a convenience for the less dexterous amongst us.

If you can tie your shoes, you can tie your neck tie, be it a bow, a cravat, a stock, or a four-in-hand. It may take a little practice, but you will be a better man for it.

[starbkjrus]

So those of us who choose to be traditional in wearing a black bow tie are "meek, stolid and stuffy"?

Todd

[macwilkin]

Dee,

In hindsight, I should have put a smiley after my question. I really didn't mean for this to be dragged out in the open.

T.

[starbkjrus]

Dee,

In hindsight, I should have put a smiley after my question. I really didn't mean for this to be dragged out in the open.

T.

But it so perfectly suited my warped sense of humor. ith:

Besides, you're not the one who's going to have to wear a rouche tie in the presence of Hamish at dinner next month.

[DWFII]

Dee,

In hindsight, I should have put a smiley after my question. I really didn't mean for this to be dragged out in the open.

T.

Or you could have copied the smiley I put at the end of my statement.

Curious how that works....