Whether you’re a pledge, an active, or an experienced post-grad fratter, every fratdaddy needs an ample collection of fratty neckties. During your undergraduate days, they are a key part of your cocktail, formal, and gameday attire. As a successful businessman, you may need to wear one to the office almost every day. However, like other parts of fratty attire, there are some do’s and don’ts that must be heeded to ensure that this small strip of fabric accentuates, and does not destroy, your formal fratitude. We will explore three categories of ties: classics, regionals, and those to be avoided at all costs.
Classics
Above is pictured selections from Ben Silver (left) and Brooks Brothers (right). These classic diagonal striped ties are the base of the fratty tie foundation, and have been for time immemorial. In fact, our records here at the Institute of Fratology (which stretch back well before any of our births) do not even go back far enough to see exactly how long the diagonal striped die has been sported by fratdaddies. Their conservative design and ample color combinations can match practically any high end suit. Simply put, as long as you don’t choose such a tie that is bright silver with purple stripes (which you will have no trouble with if you stick to the better traditional fratdaddy clothiers), it’s hard to go wrong with this selection.
These ties can be worn on almost any occasion, including, but not limited to, gameday, job interviews, to the office, formals, cocktails, weddings, funerals, church, and post-election galas.
Regionals
These are a more recent addition to the fratty attire landscape, but have quickly found a place on the tie racks of many fratdaddies across the country. Pictured above are two good examples of selections from regional tie makers: Southern Proper (out of Atlanta) and Nola Couture (out of New Orleans). With football season almost upon us, we would be remiss not to mention Southern Proper’s collection of gameday ties featuring conservative prints representing individual college mascots.
However, gameday is not the only time these ties can be worn. In fact, these ties are acceptable at any undergrad event or less formal post-grad event. We would forego wearing these ties to a job interview; however, once you land a place at your job of course, they’re great for pumping up the fratmosphere of your office on a Friday. They should never force the classics out of your collection, but should help to create a well-rounded necktie arsenal. Needless to say, regional ties are also a great way of showing the world that you’re proud of where you came from.
Ties of Terror
Unfortunately, there are many neckties on the market which have absolutely no business in any fratdaddy’s closet. Take for example, the Jerry Garcia Collection ties pictured below.
Even if you are a huge fan of the Grateful Dead, they belong in your CD player and not around your throat. You should never wear a tie that looks like someone threw up on it before you even get to a function where someone may possibly throw up on it. Also forbidden are any “novelty ties”, such as the Tabasco Hot Sauce variety pictured below.
As a fratdaddy, you should constantly tailor your outfit to exude class and confidence. Wearing the free tie that came packaged with your bottle of hot sauce does neither. No fratdaddy should look like a walking billboard. Finally, we present a tie that is a perfect example of two fratty faux pas: the seasonal tie that also features a freakin’ cartoon character.
Believe us friends, your Professors of Fratology do not post this picture in jest; we’ve actually seen people wear these ties in fratty situations. Needless to say, we were almost overcome by the black hole of negative fratitude that enveloped the room. First of all, beyond ties that you get specifically for gameday, seasonal ties are not acceptable. If you want to get in the Christmas spirit at your Christmas cocktail, send up a toast to St. Nick with your glass of Glenlivet on the rocks. Leave the tie with a picture of Rudolph at home. Actually, such a monstrosity should not even be at your home. As for the cartoon character, if we have to explain this to you, realize that you’re having a mid-frat crisis and go back and study Fratting 101: Lessons 1-13.
We hope this lesson will be of help to you the next time you make a necktie purpose. This part of the fratdaddy’s attire may seem insignificant to some, but in fact it is a vital part of the overall fratty wardrobe. Stock up on the do’s, stay away from the don’ts, and your tie rack will become another shining example of your ever-expanding fratitude.
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what about a tie like this, I think as the weather turns cooler this would be good for a night football game or a formal…i don’t like the square end but it could be covered up with a sweater or blazer, and better brands make them this was just quickest and came up on a quick google search.
http://suityourself.com/Knit_Ties_For_Bussiness_Casual_Appointments.asp
eh…not really. stick with BB, VV, RL, and Southern Proper. By the way…bow ties post grad? yes or no.
Bow ties ARE acceptable. What’s not acceptable is when guys completely spurn neckties for nothing but bow ties whenever they wear a suit. Perhaps some do this in good conscience, but in our observations this is most often an error made by people trying too hard.
The key word here is “balance”.
Knit ties are typically worn by the J. Press Ivy League crowd. I’ve seen a few of them around UVA.
is the pirate southern proper tie for ecu?
I would argue that the knit ties are actually the closest thing to a seasonal tie acceptable to a frattydaddy. They look the best when worn during the fall or winter, and would certainly pale in comparison to a good madras or silk bow tie during the warmer months. But, rather appropriate for chilly game days.
I would argue against the wearing of knit ties at anytime. They are in the same league as polyester clip-ons.
i think the pirate tie is for ecu…but honestly i do not understand why southern proper made one for them instead of some other great schools who frat harder. if you like southern proper tailgate collection also check out stadium pants.
http://www.penningtonandbailes.com
One thing I’ve discovered about University of Virginia is that there is barely any space in the freshman dorms to bring a suitable fratty wardrobe with a variety of options for tailgates and everyday fratty wear. How did other seasoned fratters deal with this issue?
Are you kidding? Those pants are ugly as sin. Almost as ugly as these: http://www.vineyardvines.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.detail/categoryID/096da5de-7f6a-46f9-8aa8-6b4ef538fe90/productID/7684bfd2-d420-4d9d-93d1-770b8cfbc458/
VV is going downhill fast.
I saw my LT COL commander with a clip on one time. He’s got one of the frattiest jobs on earth (fighter pilot) and I just hung my head. Sad day. OK, different subject. Tuxedoes: when is steering away from the customary black acceptable?
Only if you’re forced to wear one as a groomsman. Non-black tuxes scream senior prom. And white trash.
i have seen a good bit of people wearing them at USC and Clemson games back home. however, i would never ever go near those VV pants.
Sorry, I meant non black bow ties on tuxes. Point taken none the less.
Those VV pants are the ugliest fucking thing you can buy. I’ve seen better looking things in the discount slacks section of a goodwill store.
Mr. Jefferson,
If you’re living in Old Dorms, which I assume you are because they segregate the normal folk from the financial aid and library going crowd (thats the only reason new dorms exist), buy a two-tiered clothing rack if you find that the closet space and the space under your bed is insufficient. I’ve seen people using something like this: http://www.stacksandstacks.com/html/20043_double-flared-garment-rack.htm and I found that it worked fine and it was cheap enough that you could trash it at the end of the year. Good luck moving in and make sure you make it out to Wertland St. block party, a UVA tradition the day before school starts.
wow, the knit ties… might as well have the words “i love douchebaggery” embroidered across them. i’ve witnessed many a grungy computer dork sporting such a tie as it is the pinnacle of their formal dress attire. why wear one of those when diagonally striped ties are so unmistakably fratty it’s ridiculous
vineyard vines really messed up with the new fall collection. they have the ugly 4 panel pants mentioned above, and this appalling shirt right here:
http://www.vineyardvines.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.detail/categoryID/b8d68f07-f4b9-427c-8911-7aff121f94bf/productID/1907b075-2c8d-4726-a946-a764caa64eaa/
also, what are yalls thoughts on their rugby shirts and zip-up sweaters? douchebaggery?
as for the stadium pants, i think they are great. they also make stadium skirts for sorostitutes.
In Pennington & Bailes defense the Gamecocks embroidered on the khaki’s are much smaller than they appear on the website. They sell that line at our bookstore which means it’s free. Thank you frat tab.
What exactly is a knit tie?
As for rugby or zip-up sweaters…in general, they are fine in small doses. Assuming of course that the design is conservative, without any numbers or logos larger than that found on a polo shirt.
I wanted to clarify that the items sold in bookstores are not our pants. Ours are a much higher quality twill (7.5 ounce) much like Bill’s Khaki’s. They come unfinished and piped throughout. The item you find in the bookstore is about what you would find at the Gap, with itty-bitty logos space a mile apart. With our pants, you very much get what you pay for plus a bit more. We ONLY sell to fine men’s haberdashers.
We now have some frat-tastic colors this fall and offer custom monogramming of fraternity letters on our single logo pants and skirts. I was a KA at Carolina from 94-99. Enjoy! and stop by to have a beer or five at the next game. -Mel
http://www.penningtonandbailes.com
PledgeFront&Center - Take it from me and Credence, you do not even want to know. If it isn’t silk, it should not be worn.
Don’t take advice from a guy who apparently doesn’t know that the knit ties sold by Ben Silver ARE silk. They are a great frat choice especially when paired with a tweed sportcoat or something similar in the winter months. I agree they don’t work on everyone, only on super confident guys who can wear pretty much whatever they want. If you have to ask the internet, they aren’t for you.
lilly pulitzer for men…frat or not? is it trying to hard? some of there stuff is ridicoulous but the ties aren’t bad.
o by the way…i was informed sopro is adding a polo shirt line this fall in mid september…can’t wait.
I stand corrected. Silk knit ties by Ben Silver, have at them Egg, old boy. I’ll try to dig that old Harris Tweed out of the back of the closet with my Grandaddy’s pipes.
southern proper polo would be awesome…where did you get this information?
I’ve been hoping Southern Proper would make polos.
e mailed the girls and suggested it. got the response yesterday.
“But, we actually
will be launching our knit shirt line mid September and we couldn’t be more
excited about it! Check back on our website for updates! When they are
available, shoot me an email and we can help you with a direct order.”
- Reagan Hardy
The intro at southern proper.com is so fratty it made my neighbor’s GDI son’s head explode from 3 acres away.
thats probably the frattiest intro ever created in the history of mankind. loving the gratuitous shot of the table spread with costas
It is a very outstanding website. If this is southern culture, I see relocation to warmer climates in my future.
Anyone heard of Gentlemen’s Reserve? I’ve been hearing things about it lately and can’t find any info on it.
BTW all SAE’s the BB SAE Bowtie is available on SAE.net
ben silver palmetto polos fratty? yes or no? also are bright pastel color pants still acceptable to wear in the fall such as yellows and pinks and light greens? yes or no?
I don’t think much of anything from Ben Silver is unfratty. Not sure on the pants. I just stick to khakis.
I would say stick so between Easter and labor day on the pants. You would look like a retard wearing pastel pants around Thanksgiving.
How did this go from discussion of fratty neckwear to discerning how far one can go before reaching the “trying too hard” level?
Because these people are trying to cover their GDI middle class pasts with pastel covered clothes.
Doug,
Is it fratty or trying to hard to wear an inherited gold ring with family crest on it (Spanish nobility in family’s past).
“Ole Miss” i appreciate the agreement but I don’t think one’s social “class” has much to do with it, as douchy clothing comes at all price ranges. what ever happened to the general rule being: dressing fratty means you appear traditionally dressed? all this talk about bright pastels and such is pushing the line. remember if you have to ask, it probably is (or you’re a GDI, in that case rush to Abercrombie and get off this site immediately). i guess it could be much worse, atleast it isn’t a discussion on destroyed ‘gap’ jeans that every faggot on the mtv channel seems to wear
What about Ermenegildo Zegna ties and/or Daniel Cremieux. Are those fratty?
‘bama,
We generally discourage jewelry, but there are always exception to rules. Times when jewelry can be worn are few and far between…and obviously, I don’t know your exact situation…but the Green community has always looked glowingly on the acknowledgment of one’s proud family history. I believe that the ring would be OK when wearing dress clothes (similar to how there are many professionals who wear a class ring with their letters on it with business suits).
Ben Silver polos = fratty.
First of all, Zegna and Cremieux (especially Cremieux) make some decent ties. However, keep it classy. Your professors of fratology have given you the cardinal rules (i.e. regimental stripes and traditional patterns). As a general rule, if your favorite men’s store stocks it, your probably fine. Just don’t run to the mall and expect to find great frattire. If you have a functional frat gland, you should be able to see a tie and think “that fucker is fratty.” If you have your doubts, don’t get it. And, I really don’t think wearing pastels into Fall is necessarily unfratty. I like oxford pants in pastel blue and green and will wear them until it gets to cold to wear them. Of course, some of you’ns might think less of a man wearing oxfords instead of khakis, but there is no shame in fratting staples into the fall months. After all, I was always taught that the only crap you can’t wear into Fall is seersucker and white shoes. Steer away from that after Labor Day and you can wear whatever you want, and if a so-called fratty thinks you’re trying too hard, make his head explode with your overall frattyness and you’ll be fine.
checked it out. Zegna had some ok stuff, and some awful ones too. as always, use good judgement. the daniel cremieux site looked like a gay parade when i tried to figure out what their ties actually looked like. avoid that one. if it looks straight out of san francisco, probably not the frattiest… by a long shot.
I need a little assistance. I’m looking for a pair of red pleated pants. Looked at VV but I’m not sure about the pinkish looking Sailors Red. Thinking about the Ben Silver weekend trousers but if anyone knows any other good ones I’d appreciate the help.
check out brooks brothers…they had some that i ordered that were only bout fifty dollars…uga red
heres the link:
http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=309&Parent_Id=305&Product_Id=1038483&default_color=Red
Italian ties are usually high quality and make a great knot. Zegna is a good example. Beyond ties, you’d be entering into dangerous territory. Some of their dress shirts and more conservative suits are great quality and aren’t metro waist-hugging fag rags… like with most other well-respected brands, if you’re willing to wade through the sea of trendy crap you’ll find some solid classics that will last a lifetime. Personally, I’d go with American suits (Oxxford and Hickey Freeman) and British shirts (Thomas Pink, Charles Tyrwhitt).
the best pair of nantucket red pants can be found at Murray’s on Martha’s Vineyard/Nantucket
The entire line of VV clothing is very close the “trying too hard” line. Those 4-panel corduroy pants…Dear lord
Yeah VV isn’t what alot of people make it out to be. The only thing I even wear are dock pant/shorts and the polos.
PFG,
I completely agree with you on that one. In my opinion, southern proper has done well to avoid the mistakes that VV has made (expanding too quickly and not giving each new addition to their line the focus that it deserves to ensure that their line stays coherent and well thought out.)
On another note SP’s cotton pickin’ bow tie may well be the frattiest thing I’ve ever come across.
Agreed. I have the red one and the amount of GDI head explosions while tailgating is ridiculous.
“The entire line of VV clothing is very close the “trying too hard” line. Those 4-panel corduroy pants”…Generally I agree. It is too new. Brooks Brothers, J-Press, & ll-bean have history…plus, they generally have better materials. Opinions on Lands End?
The custom-hemming Lands End offers on their pants is a nice option…same with the monogramming. Most people here will probably eschew Lands End (a brandname you can find at Sears), opting for Brooks Brothers, SP, VV, etc.
Yea this site for some reason ignores LLBean, their boots, fleeces, wool sweaters, and monogrammed polos are highly fratty, and absolutely no GDI wears LLBean.
Any PacNorthWest fratdaddies around here? Would REI and Eddie Bauer be the west coast equivalent?
I know as a general rule seersucker should not be worn after labor day, however, are ties like the one pictured in the classics section an exception to this rule or do they need to be put away after labor day?
I second bean. LL Bean makes conservative clothes and while I much prefer the horse and BB, LL Bean leaves me more money left over for other, arguably more important, fratty activities.
No GDIs wear Lands End - again too conservative. But it seems to me that the quality of the merchandise went down after Sears started selling it.
MUTINY!!!!!
What are your favorite tie knots? It depends on the situation in my opinion but what do you go with?
The only knots you should be doing are four in hand and half Windsor. You look like a pretentious little fashionista shit if you tie a Windsor
I agree that a four-in-hand and half windsors are good informal knots for everyday fratting including gamedays and for sporting the blazer. When you move on to post grad fratting though a full windsor with a suit shows that you are on the fast track for upper management. Don’t use it everyday but when you need to close a deal it will make your GDI competitor’s head explode all over the board room.
My favorite knot is the double windsor, it always looks good and balanced. (If tied correctly)
Will, good call. The double windsor is an excellent knot. traditional look, good for all occasions
[...] First of all, the classy fratdaddy has a wide selection of neckties at his disposal. However, those ties need to conform to certain rules. We need not go over these rules again here, as they have already been discussed in detail. [...]
In terms of the tie knot, it depends a lot on the tie, the shirt you’re wearing it with, and your body build. A small frame with a double windsor might get a little crazy. You can never go wrong with a half windsor, but I will admit there are a few occasions when you can go more right (read scenarios posted by swampfratter).
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