The last day of school marked the big day of freedom in our lives as we opened the tie-knot. The tie that was around our neck for 10 years compelled us to promise ourselves never to wear a white collar ever again. But quickly, our friends who dreamt of a thick pay cheque forgot about The Promise as they became ready to conform to the laws of the land by hoisting a tight claustrophobic tie knot around the neck.

Two knots to tie now

But now we have grown up. We like ties. We also wear them — and voluntarily. We wear ties to Roxy. We wear ties to Fire and Ice. You can say that 10 years down the line, we are not cynical anymore about the one-and-half metres of bias cut fabric strip around the neck.

Not just us, everyone is into ties. Ties today make the biggest statement — in corporate wear and club-wear. It’s been a while since men in the boardroom shunned the mental block and learnt to appreciate various colours and patterns.

So, if a 40+ ‘young’ man can’t dare a pink or turquoise shirt for the fear of being too cool (or wannabe), he can still make a big and bold statement by wearing the colours on his tie. These colours are hidden inside him. Even the patterns that he chooses are patterns that he imagined and maybe even doodled in his sketch pad in school. The prints are probably the extension of his heart and mind, that he wants to express, if not in words, then at least on fabric. You still think ties signify extreme discipline and diplomacy, huh?

Now that the work scene is sorted out, we call for more ties in clubs. And not just those ties that have travelled from office to Olypub or Tollygunge Club on men who are letting their frustration out over a drink. Have you ever seen their tie-knot hung loose? It’s almost vanishing! But we must admit that these post-work tired ties are getting rare these days.

early, this is a happier generation of an evolved society who celebrates life in work. Friday dressing, coffee shops, gym, office day out at multiplexes, paid vacations and all that…

Basically, to cut a long style story short, ties are trendy. (Yes, even those Bollywood guys have got it right this time!) Here’s how to wear it to max the man effect:

Wear it with tees.

Wear it with a waistcoat.

Team it with a vest on top.

Casual ties need not be waist grazing. They can stop mid-chest.

Wear it with denims, shorts and three-quarter pants.

If you don’t want to buy one, raid your dad’s or grand dad’s wardrobe — ah, the retro magic.

PS: Keep an eye on your tie. If it goes missing, check your girl’s cupboard. These women have been eyeing the tie for too long!

Here are some moments from the latest men’s collections from ramps across the globe

BELSTAFF	DOLCE & GABBANA
DSQUARED2	PAUL SMITH

Trendy ties

JOHN RICHMOND

• It has to be a super narrow tie (1.5 inches to 2 inches wide). Go slimmer still for open narrow collars.
  
  
• Wear a parallel tie with square end. Forget the point.
  
  
• Choose softer, sensual fabrics. The silkier, the better.
  Geometric prints, stripes, small checks and polka dots are hot.
  
  
• The colour spectrum is wide — solids like black and grey on the one hand and lots of happy yellow, orange, sky blue and pink on the other.
  
  
• Establish link between the tie and shoes — through colour or pattern.