Tie bars and such.

May 13, 2005 6:29 AM

I'm not a big-time formal dress wearer. What is the correct way to wear a tie bar? I know that it secures the tie to the shirt, but is the bar supposed to go the whole width of the tie, or just a little way across?

This question is mostly because I have a formal occasion coming up with my fire department, and I have just bought my complete uniform. I've got everything about right, but the tie bar just doesn't look right no matter what I do.

posted by C17H19NO3 to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (17 answers total)

Is the tie bar a required part of the uniform or can you ditch it? Wearing a tie bar is like walking briskly with your hands in your pockets: it's a rare man who can pull either off without looking like a dork.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 6:42 AM on May 13, 2005

The proper place for a tie bar is in a drawer. Don't wear a tie bar, unless you are going to accessorize it with a plastic pocket protector. PinkStainlessTail is correct.
posted by caddis at 6:46 AM on May 13, 2005

The tie bar is supposed to go all the way onto the tie, I believe. That is, the end of the tie bar should be flush with the edge of the tie. How far it goes across the tie is determined entirely by the width of the tie and the length of the tie bar. I suppose if the tie bar is too long you could pull it out a bit.

I never realized tie bars were considered dorky. They are old-fashioned, perhaps, but I think that's kinda the point with the firefighter's uniform, no?
posted by kindall at 6:49 AM on May 13, 2005

If it is part of the uniform, then that is different. You will look funny without it. Put it all the way onto the tie and keep the tie vertical. I think cops, fire fighters and the military use tie bars on uniforms to keep you looking neat when you are being active or when you are outside. Sorry about the pocket protector comment by the way.
posted by caddis at 6:51 AM on May 13, 2005

They are old-fashioned

Exactly: it's very hard to pull off an old fashion in a contemporary context without it looking stupid. Spats, watch chains, ivory handled walking sticks, monocles, tie bars, sock garters, ascots, etc: there are actually people who can make these things work because of their personal styles, but most of us can't. I saw a guy at a city club in Pittsburgh wearing an ascot with total confidence once and it looked beautiful on him, whereas on most men (certainly on me) it would've looked stupid and self-conscious, and, well, dorky.

That said, I'm pretty sure kindall has nailed the proper procedure. In fact, I'd lay dollars to donuts that he's the kind of guy who can get away with wearing one.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 7:00 AM on May 13, 2005

Geez, Pink, that list is hilarious to someone my age, simply because you have items that were way out-dated in my childhood with items that were still normal (like, tie bars). And watch chains were fashionable in my life time, for those rebelling against the wrist watch.

I'm surprised the tie bar is so out, its a very practical bit of jewelry. Probably doesn't help that the "fashionable" width of a tie changes so often. But please, can't we keep some jewelry that doesn't require piercing sensitive body parts? (I'm a magpie!)
posted by Goofyy at 7:15 AM on May 13, 2005

How to use a tie-bar
posted by terrapin at 7:16 AM on May 13, 2005

As a general rule, tie bars end up going most of the way, but not all the way across width of the tie. The "closed" end should be flush with the edge of the tie, and it's usually down far enough that the tie's wider than the clip.

And I haven't worn one in years, but they are useful--especially the kind that have the little chain and attach to a button hole. They do a good job of keeping the tie in place, much like attached tie pins (although the pins end up butchering the tie fabric, and I'm assuming share the same "too old-fashioned" objection.)

And kindall's totally right about the context of a uniform...the tie bar's the least of it. When's the last time anyone actually used epaulets?
posted by LairBob at 7:21 AM on May 13, 2005

I wear a tie-bar with my uniform also. What we were told in recruit training was: Once the tie was properly tied with it's windsor knot and to the proper length of just touching the belt buckle, fold the tip of the tie up to the knot, and that fold is where the bar goes. Or the uniform regulations say 1 inch below the center.
posted by jawbreaker at 7:25 AM on May 13, 2005

I saw a guy at a city club in Pittsburgh wearing an ascot with total confidence once and it looked beautiful on him, whereas on most men (certainly on me) it would've looked stupid and self-conscious, and, well, dorky.

So true. I met my s.o. at a restaurant when I overheard her friend say "Oh my god! That guy is wearing an ascot with no sense of irony!" I knew then that it was destiny ;).
posted by mkultra at 7:30 AM on May 13, 2005

you're right that it never looks right. it never will. tiebars suck. if it's mandatory, wear it (it'll look bad as everybody elese's), otherwise ditch it

as an accessory, it's oldfashioned in a bad way.
example of something oldfashioned in a good way -- a perfectly clean and perfectly pressed white handkerchief in the jacket's breast pocket, so that only a inch of it comes out.
posted by matteo at 7:50 AM on May 13, 2005

Response by poster: This is actually what the tie bar looks like (except mine is silver, not gold).

The fold rule that jawbreaker mentioned seems like a good idea, but I'm thinking that will leave about a half-inch space between the end of the bar and the end of the tie.
posted by C17H19NO3 at 7:51 AM on May 13, 2005

Ask one of the other members of the fire department.
posted by anapestic at 8:50 AM on May 13, 2005

Tie bars are old fashioned? Really?

*re-evaluates wardrobe*
posted by Doohickie at 10:57 AM on May 13, 2005

LairBob: The thing with the chain that attaches to your button hole is called a "tie tack". I think they look better than tie bars, but you're right that it forces you to pierce the tie fabric. Tie tacks often come in a set with cufflinks, another bit of jewelry that seems to be passé.

I've got a whole little jewel box full of cufflinks, tie bars, and tie tacks that mostly just stays in my dresser drawer.
posted by Daddio at 11:35 AM on May 13, 2005

Yeah, I had totally forgotten the term for those...
posted by LairBob at 12:56 PM on May 13, 2005

The proper place for a tie bar is in a drawer. Don't wear a tie bar, unless you are going to accessorize it with a plastic pocket protector. PinkStainlessTail is correct.

wrong. I've rocked a tiebar* TO ILL EFFECT ON COUNTLESS OCCASIONS.

ILLIN'

* belonged to my father, actually, so there's sentimental value there too, besides the STRAIGHT UP HIGH FASHION ROCKIN
posted by fishfucker at 6:31 PM on May 13, 2005