Jo Raphael: Outdated fashion trend is tying us to the past

Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi wearing a tiki, instead of a tie, during Question Time in Parliament. Photo / File

OPINION

Fashion fads come and go. Some we're grateful to see the back of. Like parachute pants or skin-coloured leggings.

Ties, however, are mystifyingly enduring.

We can blame those fashionistas, the French for their popularity after King Louis the XIV admired them so much when he saw them tied around the necks of Croat mercenaries serving in France, he started the baffling trend that continues to this day.

Keep in mind that this was in the days when women were expected to wear organ-crushing corsets and multiple layers of petticoats. And we don't see many women's fashion hangovers today from that era – thankfully.

Ties serve no purpose or function in a man's attire other than to denote to others his status or importance.

I argue that a smart business jacket, slacks and nice contrasting collared shirt can do the same thing.

Which is why I agree with Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi, who tried to speak during question time in Parliament on Tuesday but was ejected from the house by Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard for not wearing a tie.

Mallard had told Waititi early on in question time that he would not be allowed to speak if he was not wearing a tie. Waititi said he was wearing a taonga that he says, in a tweet, connects him to his tipuna, whenua and people.

Commonsense prevailed on Wednesday though, when Mallard, after a sigh, allowed Waititi to speak.

Not wearing a tie surely does not impede on a person's ability to do their job – in this case, to stand up in the debating chamber and advocate on behalf of their constituents.

While I acknowledge it's the job of the Speaker to keep order in the house, surely one missing tie does not equal a ruckus.

Ties are an outdated nod to the past. It's 2021. Businesses who have customer-facing staff very rarely wear ties. Teachers are not required to wear them, neither are journalists nor businessmen, so long as they look tidy and respectable.

In my view, Mallard needs to relax the dress code and let the MPs get on with their jobs.