Time to sacrifice one tie for another?

It is not often acknowledged that the real ties that bind leaders of most western nations — and many farther afield too — are not only democracy, personal freedoms other such intangible tenets, but a strip of cloth around their necks. Not a noose, obviously, but a necktie. And it has remained tenaciously tethered to napes despite many fashions and workplace revolutions that attempted to loosen its hold.

Given France’s position as a style leader, it is surprising that its youngest-ever President, Emmanuel Macron, has steadfastly refused to doff his cravate, a predilection he shares with his otherwise dissimilar predecessor François Hollande. Political and fashion analysts alike were bemused that he did not part with it even when visiting Caribbean territories devastated by Hurricane Irma.

If that old tie has to be broken anywhere, it will obviously have to be in India — which Monsieur le President is slated to visit at the end of this year anyway. Not only are there moves afoot in India now to discard all old (read: British) ceremonial robes, our Prime Minister is clearly very persuasive when it comes to changing the sartorial accoutrements of visiting foreign dignitaries. And as a tie simply cannot be accommodated in Indian wear — even Modified ones — Macron may have to sacrifice one tie in order to cement another.