September 5, 2006 Apparently, the necktie that has played such a pivotal role in the male dress code for the last 400 years, is on the decline. Though it is not yet certain to become a museum piece, research shows the proportion of U.K. men in professional jobs who buy ties has dropped from 70% in 1996 to just 56% today. Having played many roles in society, the removal of ties is a modern trend accelerated by the dotcom boom of the nineties. Suits (sales people and those who interfaced with old businesses) wore ties, whereas t-shirts (AKA knowledge workers) did not. Along with a sentiment of independence and a new way of doing things was the recognition that the tie is “the sartorial equivalent of an appendix - an entirely redundant bit of kit left over from a much earlier phase of evolution. Just as it is several millennia since our digestive systems were required to deal with grass, it is at least a couple of centuries since men felt it necessary to protect their throats in the street from anyone making a lunge at the jugular with a sword.” Do yourself a favour and take five minutes to read Kathryn Hughes’ expertly crafted story on the decline of the tie.