the master of tacky ties

I have found my spiritual mentor.

Every ugly tie has a story, according to their owners.

And to those who love them, ugly ties make a statement that their tasteful counterparts just can't match.

"A plain brown or plain blue tie doesn't say anything. If you can find something with a splash of color on what is otherwise a very dreary day — that to me at least makes a little bit of a difference," said Gosseline.

They also serve another purpose — allowing the wearer to simultaneously attract attention and thumb a nose at convention.

"My general motto in life is to take nothing and nobody seriously, especially not yourself," he said.

My collection isn't quite at 200, but it's getting there.