What are ties for?

originally the long neck ties were designed to hide a mans shirt buttons.

“The origin of the necktie dates back to the 17th century in France. During the 30 years war Croatian mercenaries went to France to show their support to King Louis. The Croats used to wear a scarf like piece of clothing to tie the top of their uniforms. Not only did this serve a practical purpose such as protection from the wind and the cold, but it also had a decorative purpose. When the war ended, King Louis was impressed with how brave the Croats had fought. He also found liking in their scarves, and ended up adopting this piece of clothing for formal gatherings. To honor the Croats, he gave the scarf the name “La Cravat”, a name still used in France today.”

Source

For covering up buttons… and they can also be used for an impromptu garrotte or when combined with a stick or something it makes for a nice tourniquet to prevent bleeding out of a newly severed limb… ties are quite useful indeed

To demostrate to people that you can colour coordinate and have good taste (or not, as the case maybe).

To get stains on.

@Marina: The French Louis’ went up to Louis XVIII. I think that the Louis’ during the thirty-years war were Louis XIII and Louis XIV (the sun king.)

And it is “la cravate.” The “la” requires the final “e,” which forces you to pronouce the “t.”

Milo says that “le chat” has a silent “t.”

A tie and a pillowcase together make a lovely carry-all.

Ties are my favorite accessory. You can do so much with them to accent your outfit. From adding a complimentary pattern to a contrasting color. Not to mention they elongate your form and break up the monotony of your shirt.
But yes, the modern necktie was originally created to hide the shirt’s buttons.

Ties were designed to remind men they are slaves on a tight leash. It is a throwback to the slave collars and chains worn hundreds of years ago. They are lame and should be shunned by all who are forced to wear them.

I recently had the idea that if two men were wearing a very similar suit, that the odds of them wearing the same tie would be small. Therefore, the tie could always differentiate two outfits to where no one could say “Did you guys call each other and figure out what to wear tonight?” Ha.

To make men more attractive for my viewing pleasure.

To make those that license their names and logos lots of money.

Sexy time fun. ;)

@ubersiren I’m gonna need you to elaborate

@gailcalled sic

@Marina; I know. I found the same site. Eternal vigilance, I think.

To give a boost to the silkworm industry. ~

Actually, the story about the Croats and Louis XIV is the one I heard.

Increases bonding in social groups.

I’ve always heard it was a phallic symbol, much like a codpiece. Now there’s a thought, let’s see codpieces come back in style. =)

@evelyns_pet_zebra – During the 1970’s members of certain rock and roll bands were infamous for stuffing a pair of socks inside their pants. Wouldn’t this serve as a primitive form of codpiece resurgence?

@Darwin sure, but the real thing would be better. Why have artificial flavoring when you can have the real banana. oops, is that a double entendre?

Well, I certainly don’t have a use for socks. I wear sandals.

I love ties, its the men’s clothing article that can best and easily express the wearers personality, so choose carefully.

I’d agree that there’s a phallic quality to their presence.

A ties origin was probably a simple way to close the shirts top, or collar as it came to be.