This is a completely random thought but what is the practical reason for a tie. Generally we wear clothes to protect us from the environment or keep clothes on our body (belts). So why ties or bow ties

Practical reason? There is probably none, I guess, but I think that it developed out of a scarf that was worn tied around the neck to keep your neck warm and protect the collar of a shirt. Collars were quite expensive. But basically the tie has always been an accessory for decorative purposes.

... which makes it nearly the only item of men's clothing that is entirely decorative rather than functional. Perhaps that's why it's very hard to choose a tie for someone else. It's the only such choice they get to make, so they really want to do it themselves.

To me, I'd imagine a tie was used to hide the buttons on a dress shirt, so that it looks like the dress shirt has less openings. I'd find a pocket square to be much more decorative, since you can't really blow your nose on it without it looking disgusting, lol.

Ties were invented to keep early jackets closed. They stayed in-style because they are were found to be attractive.

To not look like some piss-elegant pleb playing grown up.

For yanking.

Well considering nobody seems to like the real answer I gave, here are some other uses for ties:

1) Makeshift bandage.
2) Makeshift bondage. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
3) Skipping rope.

4) Makeshift noose.


ehm..

To make me look cool. Honestly I have not left the house without a necktie since i was 15, I don't feel like i am fully dressed without one.

I have heard it's history explained two ways and it seems there is a lot of debate about which story is true, the one is that it was used to keep jackets closed before most people had the money to pay for buttons, the other is that it start out as a fashionable bib that the Dutch wore in order to keep their shirts clean while eating and it caught on as a fashion item in the rest of Europe. Honestly I have no idea which story is true or if there are more theories out there, I just know I wear one.

You don't need a tie to be cool.

I only wear a tie in special circumstances, like gala's or weddings. Basically, just once for a gala after my graduation on my high school, when I was 18. That one wedding I visited, was of a cousin, while I was a preteen. An age a suit and tie isn't obligated. My own marriage is unlikely to happen, I have no friends and family probably won't marry.

More times isn't advised, as I would strangle myself by accident. The same reason I don't wear shawls.

I would just like to point out that @pikeman101 is a Space Pony. Dressing up for the occasion isn't required, but if you have a nice necktie, no one in this thread would probably mind.

So day traders can hang themselves if they lose everything.

...what?

Well you were, but you've posted again so now you're an Instructor.

I still don't understand...

Don't worry- it's your title (beneath your avatar), you achieved Space Pony but are now an Instructor. It's based on post count and Space Pony is rare because it only lasts for about two posts.

So men can dress manly but still wear something in a colour that makes their eyes pop.

Odd... I've been posting on this site for years.