Another Head Rolls

This business of dress codes and the suitability of certain modes of attire for certain occasions is an interesting one.

I guess you are "of a certain age" Joe, age where to go tie less maybe suggests a lack of respect by the wearer. I am coming up for 57 myself and HAVE to work in a suit, collar and tie, although it is deemed perfectly acceptable to remove my jacket when driving. That is not demanded by my clients but by my work provider, so really I have no choice in the matter but to conform and I do so without complaint as I "knew the score" when I accepted the job although personally in this day and age and particularly in London, I feel this is an outmoded concept; particularly when some of our most wealthy clients travel tie less in a suit, the current popular fashion of open necked shirt, business jacket and jeans or generally "scuzzy" like many of the music artists we carry.

I've always reckoned I could be blindfolded, taken to a particular part of London and on removal of the appendage tell exactly where I was by the dress code dominant in that particular area.

Mayfair is generally full of old school collar and tie with expensive suits, the more thrusting part of the City young tie less males in suits and the older more sedate ship broking and insurance area where the tie is still de rigeur, the suits more old school and a lot of the workers generally older looking. Those that work in PR, the media and advertising love the jeans 'n business jacket look; I can't think when I last saw a tie in Soho, Clerkenwell or Hoxton where they tend to be centred and the Kings Road and Chelsea is still as likely to throw up as many comfortably retired gents up from their country homes favouring cavalry twills and blazers (plus regimental or banking group tie of course) as the "Sloany Types" in their louche but very expensive gear the area is famous for.

Does the dressing of professional footballers in suit, collar and tie to report to a match represent corporate identity over the more suitable travelling "trackie" and trainers these days and put the players at a disadvantage as they are less relaxed; or an advantage because they are in a more business like frame of mind?

Is a badly tied neck tie less presentable than a smartly open necked tailor cut shirt?

Personally if I am dressing to impress when out at a function with my lady she will want me in one of my "name brand" suits ~ Thierry Mugler, Georgio Armani ~ without lapels and three quarter length jacket; or Hugo Boss with a name brand smartly tailored open necked shirt; expensive shoes and gold watch.......................no arguing with a Parisian, that's what she expects. Whether I'm a fat old git more resembling Van Morrison than a slimline Jamie Redknapp lookalike is no matter ~ I must dress to impress! ;D

What goes down in The Bay these days Alpine....................cardie and old flannels or Major Gowan's (Fawlty Towers) regimental blazer look?