Suits & Ties- bummer

Since this is a smart group of guys who for the most part don't represent the Suits of the world I'd like to enlist your aid. At church, even tho over 80% of the guys don't wear suits and ties the pastor and music minister still insist upon suits and ties in the choir.

I'm on a crusade to get rid of the ties and I'd like any data points any of you can give me that will help me show how outdated suits and ties are.

Now partially this quest is for my own personal comfort and the ability to go other places straight from church, especially in the summer when it's hot. But it's also medical in nature. I had 2 small strokes 10-12 years ago, both times while wearing suits and ties, and the doctor has told me not to wear ties often if at all. It seems that not only do they restrict the blood flow to the head which can aggravate a stroke situation but the exact opposite can also be true. They can restrict the blood flow out of the head and raise the blood pressure in the brain. Either condition isn't such a good thing if you are about to have a stroke or are having a stroke.

I've googled all manner of suit and tie searches and mostly what I get are suit sales and articles about how Men's Wearhouse itsn't doing so good, but little hard facts.

I found an article in Fortune magazine and an article from Reuters, but that's all I can find. Does anyone have access to any cold hard facts?

Thank you very much.

Wear a clip-on?

Joey

joey48442 wrote: Wear a clip-on? Joey

I think Joey just made a convincing argument.

Ties are the most useless thing ever invented. There is a type of dress shirt that is made to be worn without one, see a good tailor. Then get a doctors note to prove it is unsafe for you to have a tie. Issue solved.

Tie it looser? I can fit two-three fingers in between my collar and neck.

but, yeah.....a good clip-on is the way to go.

http://www.spinningbowties.com/home

I have attended similar churches and I understand. I would tie the largest and loosest knot you can. Get some of those old 1970's ties...............

Grtechguy wrote: but, yeah.....a good clip-on is the way to go.

I did not know such a thing existed, I haven't seen a clip-on since I was 8 years old. So I learned something today.

You have my sympathies - my last job required men to wear a suit and tie every day (note: sports coat and dress slacks did not pass muster). Since I left there, I wear a jacket and tie maybe 4 times a year. (But Mother-In-Law continues to default to ties as gifts for all occasions.)

Resigning from the choir would solve the problem, but I'm guessing you don't want to do that.

If the pastor won't make a reasonable accomodation for a medical condition, that would cause me to question his compassion and common sense. Both of which are qualities one would hope for in someone engaged in that line of work, don't you think?

Good luck.

My brother has to wear a suit & tie everyday, he says the hardest thing is dress down day. Other days, this is your uniform, DDD has too much pressure.

Just wear the tie. I have a wonderful Marvin the Martian you could borrow.

Dan

I haven't had a job since the 1980s where a suit and tie were required, but I didn't mind it - even today with business casual, I'm still going to change when I get home so it really isn't any different in that respect. If your tie is too tight, you may not be wearing a shirt with a big enough collar.

Dude, that wasn't a tie, it was a noose if it gave you a stroke. I'll say this, I will not attend a religious observance or meeting (funerals, weddings etc. etc.) in anything but a suit and tie. I was always told it was a sign of respect. I still feel that way.
Yes, in the summer I sweat till by balls are dripping sometimes, but I deal with it. Jesus was pretty un-comfy with those spikes through his body and all so who am I to complain about a tie? And seriously, wearing a tie did not give you a stroke. Like someone here said, you should be able to put a finger or two between the collar and your neck with a tie on.

You're fighting a losing battle here.

I can post picture after picture of guys on the red carpet (Matthew McConnaughey, Brad Pitt, George Clooney) who aren't wearing ties at Hollywood events. Then I can post pics of Al Gore, McCain, etc not wearing ties on the campaign trail.

..my bet is it won't matter. You're going to church. A social entity not known for it's love of innovation and free thinking.

I don't wear ties. They're ridiculous imo and I look better without one. A clean and simple look is where it's at. Ties are as necessary as sock garters, hats, and suspenders.

Screw it. Pics:

I wear a suit and tie when I go to church. I don't go to church very often but I still respect the tradition of respect.

I also wear a suit and tie to job interviews, funerals and court hearings.

John Brown wrote: I still respect the tradition of respect.

I sir, respect your respect for the tradition of respect.

John Brown wrote: I also wear a suit and tie to job interviews, funerals and court hearings.

I was trying to come up with some sort of punchline like "aren't they all the same thing, but that's not quite the right line. Sure a job interview can feel like a funeral, or a court hearing that goes poorly can result in a funeral, but how to tie all three together.

I think you need a properly fitting shirt. There is no reason for a tie to uncomfortable. They serve no purpose and are sorta silly, but they don't have to cause pain or damage your body in any way.

I used to have to wear a tie every day to work, took a while to get used to it after wearing camos to work every day for 20 years. Now I wear one a few times a years and yes I hate it (I think I was hanged in an earlier life ). But a properly fitting shirt helps a lot. They make collar extenders also. They also make something called "zipperties" that are pretty cool. Google it, there are lots of manufacturers.

I think I would play around with it and get some goofy ties.

If ever an occasion called for a silk tie with a topless wahine doing the hula this one does.

Meh. Try wearing control-top panty-hose, then come back and talk to me about uncomfy ties.

have my wife make you one of these types of deals ;-)

sorry I goto a church where you might get looked at weird if you had one on... our preacher is usualy in jeans... but that is obviously another discussion... I also don't have an issue with tattoos or piercings... torn curtain, old law vs grace...

I also work at a job where i roll in in flops, a tshirt and shorts if I want... (and do most of the time)...

a funeral and job interview is about the only time that suit comes out of the bag... and thankfuly those are few and far between... I like how they look but i gag even if a tshirt grazes my throat...

best bet is to roll a clip on or something that cheap tux rental bow ties (adjustable loop around the neck that is adjustable...

another possibilty is your shirt is to tight... find one with a larger neck...

I made the move into corporate a year ago and have had my share of suit and tie days. I thought I'd hate it coming from tennis shoes and shorts/t-shirt, but it's OK to dress up every now and then. The key for me was spending the money on a suit that fit and that felt good. I still prefer more casual clothing, but for now it works.

And +1 on wearing jeans to church. I don't know of many churches where a tie would look normal, except maybe for the "silver" service. Some of those folks look like they're dressing up for their own funeral. ;)

sorry, no support from me, I used to suit up for class in college. I like wearing suits.

I'm glad I'm not the only one here who likes wearing suits. I think they should be worn more often infact. I went to a friends wedding this summer and I was surprised that I was in the ~5% minority that were wearing suits.

I think suits and ties should be more prevalent. Wearing a suit is a sign of respect, it is stylish, and if you have a nice one, often times it is comfortable.

(besides, it also is a sign of power)

So back to my original question, does anyone have any facts or figures on tie/suit usage that can help me?

joey48442 wrote: Wear a clip-on?

Only kind of ties I own. Of course, for 28 years as a shop teacher it was as much a safety issue as a comfort issue. But IMO they are much more comfortable.

If I had to wear a tie to church, I wouldn't go! Jesus did NOT wear a tie Suits are a symbol of corporate servitude