December 10, 2019 (Tuesday)
The clip-on tie was invented around this time of year in 1928 in Iowa. No one knows who the person was who did this, but it comes in handy for those willing to make use of it.
It may be style snobbery that keeps some men from using the clip-on, or perhaps they just don’t know about it. Many a man has struggled with the proper knot on his tie, sometimes trying many times before deciding the knot he did last is OK.
I had a friend who was a Police detective, and every man in that department wore a clip-on necktie. It was the rule. No exceptions. The first time a policeman wearing a regular necktie gets attacked by a suspect, he learns the value of the clip-on. The crook intends to choke the policeman, but the tie comes off in his hand, rendering him unable to hurt or kill the officer. Other professions find them helpful for dangerous work conditions, etc.
The clip-on tie is a permanently tied necktie which clips to the shirt collar with a metal clip. Though the tie clips on to the collar without any knowledge of how to tie a necktie, the clip-on tie looks like a normal tie. Some people criticize the clip-on tie because of how easy it is to wear and remove.
Sometimes tying the perfect knot is impossible, but a clip-on tie has a perfect knot every time, which can make you look better than the next guy. Whoever invented this amazing accessory opened the door for many men who potentially would have never worn a tie in their lives.
Before buying one as a Christmas gift, you probably need to find out if the person receiving the gift likes that kind of tie.
In my old age, I was glad to find some old clip-on ties in my dresser drawer. My fingers and my patience are not as cooperative as they once were, so I have been wearing the clip-ons. They don’t choke me, either, and that’s nice.
At the close of each Tuesday blog I will write about the presidents, in the order of their service.