Ruche ties?

[Hamish]

Rusche ties look smashing with polo shirts...

I first read this five minutes ago, Gilmore, and I am still wiping away my tears of laughter - I love your sense of humour. Brilliant!

Personally, I loathe these things. They began to appear as an option with kilt hire outfits about three years ago, as far as I am aware and, for some inexplicable reason, their popularity flourished over here - for weddings. I am all for adding a little colour to an outfit but the 'rusche ties' are way over the top and, I believe, ruin a perfectly good and attractive kilted ensemble. Why, they even draw the attention away from the kilt! No, sorry. Not for me (or my Kollection!)

As always, of course, a chap may wear whatever he wants ............ but there are times when I wish he wouldn't!

Take care,
Ham.

[Highlander31]

Rusche ties look smashing with polo shirts...

[Derek Conley]

Do you folks who've worn them have any pics to post?

DWFII's pic is great and shows a much better pic, to my eye, over the ones listed/shown on that website... however, I'd love to see more pics. I'm intrigued now.

[David Dalglish]

I don't like them.

[Jock Scot]

I don't like them.

I can't help but agree.

[DWFII]

It's kind of interesting who likes 'em and who doesn't.

Ruche ties are actually the same tie that your great grandfather wore. It is a cravat. It was was wrapped about the neck/collar and given a careful but simple overhand knot. The one (longer) end was "laid" over the other and a flashy stick pin (I have a big red sapphire stick pin) was stuck through that held them both together. It was a look that was particularly suited to the high gorge, notch lapel, vests and wing or stand-up collars of the late 1800's/early 1900's. The cravat with a stick pin and the ruche tie begin with the same piece of fabric. In fact, earlier bow ties may have been fashioned from the same piece of fabric/cravat, as well.

These cravats were about four inches wide and long, but not as long as today's ties. They must carefully be folded along their length to create a band that does not cover the whole collar...although, again in earlier times the collar may have been almost fully obscured. These are not the "pre-tied" bowties (or cravats) with elastic bands or thin straps with a clip that you see in rental shops and at contemporary formal events--those are "cheaters."

For as long as I can remember, the formal wear rental business in the US has offered the stick pin cravat...and now the ruche tie...along with the bow tie for formal events. But they are almost all "cheaters"--which, to my eye look impossible (how does a narrow, thin strap with a clip end up as a big puffy, ascot-like affair? or even a three or four times wider bow?) and as if the wearer couldn't be bothered to learn how to tie a Windsor or Four-in-Hand knot--surely as important a masculine skill as shaving.

The reason, BTW, that the ruche tie has that "scrunchie" look is simply because if you take a four inch wide cravat and apply a simple but common "tie knot" you end up with more material in the knot than can lay flat. Just like you end up with "puffy," "scrunchie," bunched up wad of fabric at the neck when the cravat is tied and used with a stick pin.

[McClef]

Sorry Hamish but I happen to like them!

They are called "scrunchy cravats" rather than ruche ties over here.

I am not a big fan of black bow ties I'm afraid.

[auld argonian]

Just one tip to those in the USA...if you're looking for ruche ties, either ask for or search on the phrase "shar pei ties"...yup, like the dog. Most formalwear rental and sales joints over here seem to be refering to them by this very cute alternate name.

Best

AA

[Moosedog]

Just my opinion,

Based on the ones I've seen (including the pictures in this post) I like them better with an argyll+vest--I think the higher-necked vest allows for the a bit of color and the scrunchy effect without taking the eye away from the kilt's beauty. The PC vest ( sorry McMurdo, as always you look quite dashing) allows too much ruche to show for my taste.

Moosedog

[pipesndrumsnun]

I LOVE it! Looks classy!!