Q: I just read your Q&A regarding slinging one’s tie over one’s shoulder while dining. Is it appropriate to have the tie tucked into the shirt?

A: It certainly looks better than the over-the-shoulder maneuver, and it has a legitimate precedent in the history of military fashion. You don’t want to get your foulard fouled in your tank treads, do you? I think if you have a good reason, if you are a waiter or are involved in something mechanical, then this is an acceptable strategy (provided you’re wearing an undershirt). As a mealtime strategy, however, it seems a little uptight.

November 2003

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