symbolism

Bananas, balsamic vinegar, and a striped swath of you-fill-in-the-blank.

still life with poäng

Tacky Tie Rule #4: A holiday-themed tie may be worn on any day except the holiday.

state of the union

Somewhere in this blurry photo of a paisley tie lurks a metaphor.

dress like an Egyptian

Compliments of Rachel Hom (and friend--who that friend is, I can't remember, sorry), class of 2006. Originally from the Metropolitan Museum of Art gift shop, later recovered via garage sale.

a hot cup for a cold day

What better for a snowy day than swirling hot chocolate? (Whatever other images you see in the tie, I leave to your imagination.)

keep your distance

Thanks to Scott Miles, who found this lovely number at Goodwill and decided to make an investment in his education. (Macro mode distorts the color, making it seem much paler than it is. It's dark as one of those marker-it-in-yourself felt posters.)

genuinely ugly

That's how several students independently described it. They must, of consequence, be right.

a slice of history

The paisley pattern may be nondescript up close, but it represents a moment in time: the tag declares, "Bill Blass, Expressly For The BON MARCHE."

Ah, yes... that was the Bon that was.

Then it became Bon-Macy's. Then just Macy's. Somewhere along the way, its soul got trampled in the dirt.

so everybody put your best suit or dress on

So this is the new year. In silk.