Time Essay: The Odd Practice of Neck Binding

During the fuel shortage four years ago, the federal energy boss, John Sawhill, tried to persuade men to take off their neckties: it would cool them down a degree or two and save on power for air conditioners. The Sawhill movement, intelligent for reasons besides conservation, vanished faster than a Nehru suit. The men's neckwear lobby protested, and Sawhill backed down. Well, fellas, he said, just loosen your ties. But the look he proposed was wrong anyhow. When a businessman in full regalia removes only his tie (retaining the dark shoes, the suit, the...

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