At the bottom of the
stairs to the basement is an old cedar trunk, somewhat of a family
heirloom, and there was more piled on top of the trunk rather than
stored inside. But with the top now free from clutter, why not take a
peek inside? Maybe if the trunk were empty, it too could go to the
auction.
Looking inside, the
trunk was almost empty. There were a few old drawings done by the
kids when the were in school, some wedding and birth announcements
from friends and family and.....a whole bunch of neckties, maybe 20
if not more!
Most jobs and positions
I held throughout my working career required that I wear a sport
coat or a suit along with a necktie. Now you have to remember that I
am coming from a different generation, where the dress for work was
a bit more formal, where the dress code requirements were spelled out
very precisely and were strictly enforced. By whom...you may ask?
The dress code police, of course.
It was a suit, a starched or neatly ironed white shirt and a 'conservative
looking' necktie, nothing flashing with outlandish patterns or colors
that could serve as a distraction. Muted stripes were always the ties
of choice.
Over the years it just
became very natural to “dress up” each day and many of our
generation continued the practice of a more formal work attire even
though the dress code expectations became a bit more relaxed. Dress
down Fridays! What a great idea. But, for those needing to wear
neckties, what great and easy gift ideas for birthdays, Father's
Day, Christmas or just because 'it was an on sale gift.'
Now I am sure that
somewhere out their in the “google land” there is a history of
the necktie, where it originated, how it came to be, or who was it's
inventor. But right now I was focused more on what was in the bottom
of the trunk. I had not seen some of these ties for years. The colors
and designs, the widths and the fabric revealed the numerous trends
and styles changes over at least three decades. From floral prints
to stripes, holiday designs to company logos, there was quite a
variety. When laid out side by side on the floor, it offered a
rainbow of vivid color and textures.
As I examined each with
the care as if I were meeting a long lost friend, I tried to
remember...”who in their right mind would buy something of that
color, let alone wear it in public.” But then I remembered. It was
a different time and a different generation and men's neckties, like
the length of a woman’s skirt, reflect what's popular in the
fashion world.
I carefully folded them
and placed them back in the bottom of the trunk. I now understood
why, at the auctions and yard sales across this great nation, boxes
and trunks are stuffed with old ties, scarfs and other neck wear. No
one really knows how to get rid of them or what to do with them
should someone have difficulty parting with them. After all, many
were gifts from you children and they were so proud when they gave it
to you on your birthday.
So. what to do with
old, seemingly useless neckties? I have seen them woven together,
used to replace worn out seats in chairs and benches or used to tie
up tomato plants in the garden. I have even seen them used in place
of a broken leather belt to hold up a pair of jeans, just before they
fell below the top of the butt crack.
I suppose someone could open up
an”Old Tie Museum” in some town, desperate for a local
attraction.
I closed the top of the
cedar chest and went upstairs. But here is where it gets really
scary! I slide open the door of my bedroom closet and hanging neatly
of several tie racks was the next generation of neckties, ready to
join the others in the trunk and there had to be at least the same
number as already in the trunk if not more. But ...they would not be
joining the others this day!
I wonder if I still
remember how to tie one of those Windsor knots? Let's see..it's
left over right, then....
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