tie tack purpose?

[chucklehead]

what is the function of a tie tack?

 

[PastimeSteve]

I'll acknowledge that I'm addicted to tie tacks. While I don't profess to know the exact historical purpose, here's what I use them for: to keep my darn tie from blowing all over the place! Besides, I think they look nice.

My primary tie tack broke (a gold "B" for my last name) a while back and I'm lost without it.

Steve

 

[Zig2k143]

While I don't profess to know the exact historical purpose, here's what I use them for: to keep my darn tie from blowing all over the place!

Steve

I think that is what they are used for.

 

[BegintheBeguine]

One alternative to a tie clip. So when you lean over your tie doesn't flop into the soup.

 

[Dagwood]

An article from Slate dated May 29, 2007 notes, in part, "A tie clip, also known as a tie bar, tie slide, or tie clasp, clips horizontally across a man's tie and holds it to his shirt, stabilizing it while also assuring that the skinny part will not emerge from behind the wide part. Tie-wearing has been popular since the late 17th century (when the scarflike "cravat" was in vogue), but it was not until about 1850 that the four-in-hand tie, or typical long tie of today, became prevalent. By 1870, men were using tie pins or tie sticks to affix the tie directly to the shirt. But these required puncture-action and thus damaged anything made of silk, as many ties were by 1920 or so. Tie clips rose to prominence in the 1920s, when pioneering tailor Jesse Langsdorf developed a procedure for cutting ties that discouraged wrinkles and, more important, allowed the tie to fall straight down and more or less stay there, as ties are expected to do today. The simultaneous advent of silk ties and predictable tie behavior helped the gentler tie clip outpace its pokey cousin."

Wikipedia notes: "A similar neckwear-controlling device is the tie pin (also stickpin, tie tack, or tie tac), a pin that tacks the tie directly to the shirt or to a chain, which slips through the buttonhole of the shirt. It is also much more subtle as it is much smaller than a tie clip or tie bar. However, the pin on a tie tack will inevitably damage the tie because the pin must pierce the tie."

 

[Jovan]

Tie pins can look elegant, but I prefer the tie bar for the reasons stated above.

 

[Matt Deckard]

what is the function of a tie tack?

For that matter... what is the function of the tie?
(The tie is used to keep bugs from hiding under the shade of your collar.)

 

[Jovan]

I haven't had that problem yet! lol

 

[Senator Jack]

I keep cyanide capsules in mine!

 

[Feraud]

For that matter... what is the function of the tie?
(The tie is used to keep bugs from hiding under the shade of your collar.)

Tourniquet, garrotte, all around binding device.

 

[PastimeSteve]

Tourniquet, garrotte, all around binding device.

fftopic: Or a whip for swinging from tree branches. Of course, judging by some avatars (especially one) here, ties can also be used by women to pull a guy in a certain direction.

Back on topic, I've never liked tie bars for some reason. They feel too bulky to me, but I understand why some prefer them over the tacks. I had a fancy sales guy at Men's Warehouse (I really don't like that place) try everything possible to sell me on a $80 tie bar, telling me my tie tack was too primitive for today's age.

Steve

 

[Feraud]

I like a tie bar over a tac because I do not want to poke a hole in the tie.
Here is a nice cufflink/tie tac set I picked up in California.

 

[Orgetorix]

I had a fancy sales guy at Men's Warehouse (I really don't like that place) try everything possible to sell me on a $80 tie bar,

They have suits that don't cost that much! lol

 

[panamag8or]

I use both, depending on my mood, and match it with whatever fountain pen I am using that day. I have several vintage bars and tacs.

I let it slip on another board that I wear a tie bar, and have recieved grief ever since. It doesn't stop me, though!

 

[Jovan]

Why would you receive grief? It's just another way to secure one's tie.

I'm disappointed one can't many simple tie bars like this anymore.

 

[Feraud]

I'm disappointed one can't many simple tie bars like this anymore.

I got one from Target for around 10 bucks.

 

[Jovan]

Yes, but was it hinged? I can't find any that don't have a hinge with teeth.

 

[Feraud]

Yes it is hinged. The teeth do not grab the tie and are hidden behind the shirt.

Sartorial beggers cannot be choosers.

 

[Jovan]

I only ask because I have one like that already. Thanks.

 

[Feraud]

Ah, I see.
I am not fond of some of the modern slide tie bars. There is not enough pressure to hold the slide in place. I lost a beautiful sterling silver and amber bar given to me as a gift due to a lack of pressure.