Trad via Britain. You can wear them with solid color shirts, but also with stripes, which is quite trad. sport coat or suit, it doesn't matter.

 

Pin dots are certainly more formal than larger sporty polka dots, but it's such a small conservative pattern that it is hard to go wrong.

 

I like polka dot ties with very small dots. Are they trad? and What with what should they be worn? Specifically should a blue (white dots) every go with a sport coat? Yellow with blue dots seems to be more casual?

A. Yes

B. Everything

 

A dark blue tie with small white polka dots is traditionally known as the "Churchill dot," after the British prime minister who virtually always wore a bowtie in that pattern.

I've also seen the term now applied to long neckties and ties in different colors, although I think if you are being really trad, you are talking about the blue bowtie in that pattern.

 

I think more British bespoke, but still very conservative.

 

Dots

Gentlemen

The Churchill dot is discussed at times in the Ben Silver catalog. I love pin dots. Very elegant tie. I wear to work, dinner. I have never found them to be formal. Just a nice touch.
Also, is OLD TRAD my friends. Not British.

Nice day my friends

 

I always thought of small white polka dots or pindots on a navy background as VERY dressy and rather more English than Trad. Although it sounds a bit monochromatic to wear one with a white shirt and a navy pinstripe or chalk stripe suit (especially a three piece), the look reallly WORKS.
It becomes a little more dashing worn with a blue dress shirt with white collar and cuffs and a mid-grey flannel chalk stripe suit or a navy double breasted blazer. Brown suede oxfords or monk straps polishes off the effect.

 

I always thought of small white polka dots or pindots on a navy background as VERY dressy and rather more English than Trad. Although it sounds a bit monochromatic to wear one with a white shirt and a navy pinstripe or chalk stripe suit (especially a three piece), the look reallly WORKS.
It becomes a little more dashing worn with a blue dress shirt with white collar and cuffs and a mid-grey flannel chalk stripe suit or a navy double breasted blazer. Brown suede oxfords or monk straps polishes off the effect.

I have the Churchill dot, white on Burgundy, in both bow and four-in-hand; goes great with both white and blue university stripe OCBD.

hbs:icon_smile:

 

Can anything with the word 'Polka' in it be trad? In fact, the English term is 'spots', not 'dots', and no 'Polka'. As stated, the bigger the spot, the less formal. At the same time, low contrast coloured faces call for smaller designs, while high contrast colouring invites larger designs.

 

I have about ten variations of navy grounds with white dots. Dots range in size from pindots to about 1/4". Have never hesitated to wear any of them with either a navy or charcoal suit and white OCBD and have always considered the smaller dots to be dressier than the larger ones.

 

I consider this tie in navy with white dots to be the dressiest tie you can wear. It is perfect for interviews and weddings. Show up with a navy pindot tie, navy suit, white fwd. point broadcloth shirt, white linen pocket square, and AE Park Avenues and you will open some doors.

 

thanks so much for the great discussion including advice and history!

 

IMO Polka Dot ties are not very British. The calssic British ties have stripes in classic regimental colors, and are made out of a Mogador-Silk or Irish Polplin.

As far as matching a tie with small polka dot goes, just follow this basic principle: Match patterns that are different in size!

If you follow this general rule, then it is no problem to combine the tie with a striped shirt that has a wider striping pattern, or even a larger checkered dress shirt.

I hope this helps.

BTW, here is an article I wrote on matching different patterns on shirts and neckties:


Rick

 

IMO Polka Dot ties are not very British. The calssic British ties have stripes in classic regimental colors, and are made out of a Mogador-Silk or Irish Polplin.

As far as matching a tie with small polka dot goes, just follow this basic principle: Match patterns that are different in size!

If you follow this general rule, then it is no problem to combine the tie with a striped shirt that has a wider striping pattern, or even a larger checkered dress shirt.

I hope this helps.

BTW, here is an article I wrote on matching different patterns on shirts and neckties:

Rick

Polka dot ties are very British. Beau Brummel wore them. So did the Prince Edward of Wales. And, you know, the portly dude in pictures earlier in on the page.

Aside from that, a regimental stripe tie was and is for country wear where as foulards (like a polka dot) and emblematics were for city use.

 

Polka dot ties are very British. Beau Brummel wore them. So did the Prince Edward of Wales. And, you know, the portly dude in pictures earlier in on the page.

Aside from that, a regimental stripe tie was and is for country wear where as foulards (like a polka dot) and emblematics were for city use.

So this is yet another subtle error in the ways of Captain Stephen Peacock on Are You Being Served?

 

Polka dot ties are very British. Beau Brummel wore them. So did the Prince Edward of Wales. And, you know, the portly dude in pictures earlier in on the page.

Aside from that, a regimental stripe tie was and is for country wear where as foulards (like a polka dot) and emblematics were for city use.

True and good point. I guess it is more my personal opinion and taste. I consider British striped ties more traditional dating back to the late 19th century.

I write quite a bit about mens fashion for online publications, and I think that the History of Polka dots in men's fashion would be a nice and interesting articles...

Rick

 

Clearly a smaller dot is more formal, but when worn with the matching waistcoat I think this large dot pattern is perfect for daytime events (birthday parties, etc.)

 

Clearly a smaller dot is more formal, but when worn with the matching waistcoat I think this large dot pattern is perfect for daytime events (birthday parties, etc.)

And they coordinate with every colour of balloon animal! :icon_smile_wink:

 

A. Yes

B. Everything

+1
Navy w/white or burgundy w/white or navy for the conservative look. Other colors to liven things up!