Clip-on tie

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For more on Neckties see: Necktie

Clip-on tie. Inset: Metal Clip used to fasten it onto the front of a shirt

The clip-on tie is a bow tie or four-in-hand tie which is permanently tied into its knot with a dimple just below the knot, which is fixed only to the front of the shirt collar by a metal clip. A variant of the clip on tie is a properly tied tie with the part behind the neck clipped, and a hook and eye. The wearer clips the hook and eye together, so that the tie fits around the neck. These ties are sized, and not as popular as the standard clip-on.

The clip-on tie was invented on December 13, 1928 ^[1] Many types of occupations require their personnel to wear clip-on ties for safety or efficiency reasons. These occupations include police, paramedics, and engineers.

Other people may wear a clip-on tie in lieu of a standard necktie if they do not know how to tie one, while others feel it is less constrictive than a standard necktie. Additionally, ties sized for children are almost always clip-ons.

1 Occupations commonly employing clip-on ties
2 School Uniform Ties
3 Additional reasons for use
4 Criticisms of the clip-on tie
5 See also
6 Notes

[edit] Occupations commonly employing clip-on ties

Police officers, security guards - Standard issue as a precaution against the possibility of officers being strangled or pulled by a standard tied necktie. Often worn with a tie clip to stop the tie 'flying' in the wind, resulting in a neat uniform appearance.

Paramedics, first responders - Generally recommended, but not compulsory. Worn for safety, but also for ease of application and removal.

[edit] School Uniform Ties

Some schools requiring students to wear a necktie have encountered problems with pupils tying their ties improperly. Some of these schools have implemented clip on ties to eliminate this problem.

[edit] Additional reasons for use

Some people either do not know how, or do not feel comfortable, tying a standard necktie.
Arm amputation or other disabilities may make it impossible to tie a standard necktie.

[edit] Criticisms of the clip-on tie

People in white collar occupations are often mocked for wearing a clip-on tie in lieu of a standard necktie, the implication being that refusal to learn how to tie a "proper" tie reflects a wider lack of sophistication.
Because child-sized ties are almost always clip-ons, some people consider clip-ons juvenile.
Clip-on ties are often available in limited styles, sizes, and prints relative to their conventional counterparts.