Mail Online

TIES MAY BE OPTIONAL BUT GRAVITAS IS NOT

IT is sad, opines Newsnight’s former political editor Michael Crick, that the changing face of workplace attire has seen the tie being phased out.

‘Sad’, says he, because ties are often ‘the only chance men have to play with colour and express themselves.’

Come now, Mr Crick, I want to say as a late convert to the open neck, workplaces are not stopping men from wearing ties; some are choosing not to compel them to wear them.

The chance for male sartorial expression by means of a natty tie remains, but it is less meaningfully a ‘chance’ if it is an enforced one.

That said, I share his disappointment at the diminution in standards of male attire in the BBC, particularly among on-screen presenters. And, if he were to catch any of BBC Scotland’s output, I suspect he’d be more disappointed still.

It is one thing for frontline-embedded reporters to wear conflict-appropriate duds in Ukraine – no Alan Wicker blazer required – but quite another when the chaps in the studio look like they’re dressed for a game show.

I have frequently seen learned guests interviewed on The Nine by sorely underdressed presenters. It’s an unfortunate juxtaposition.

A certain gravitas is required of those asking searching questions in flagship television news bulletins. Jeans and trainers suggest instead a certain casualness.

Snp Civil War

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2023-03-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://mailonline.pressreader.com/article/281754158569760

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