Fry's Ties

by Stephen Fry

Discover the tales behind the ties in Stephen Fry's witty companion to our most distinguished accessory, the perfect gift for the tie-wearer in your life

'A well-tied tie is the first serious step in life' Oscar Wilde

'What do ties matter, Jeeves, at a time like this?' 'There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter' P.G. Wodehouse
________

Every single one of Stephen Fry's ties - whether floral, fluorescent, football themed; striped or spotty, outrageous or simply debonair - tells an intimate tale about a moment in Stephen's life.

Inspired by Stephen's hugely popular Instagram posts, this book will feature beautiful, hand-drawn illustrations and photographs to celebrate his expansive collection of man's greatest clothing companion: The Tie, in all its sophisticated glory.

Distinctively funny and offering witty asides, facts and personal stories, this book will make the perfect gift for anyone who has ever worn a tie.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography, Humor, History, Memoir, Fashion

255 pages, Hardcover

First published November 11, 2021

About the author

Stephen John Fry is an English comedian, writer, actor, humourist, novelist, poet, columnist, filmmaker, television personality and technophile. As one half of the Fry and Laurie double act with his comedy partner, Hugh Laurie, he has appeared in A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. He is also famous for his roles in Blackadder and Wilde, and as the host of QI. In addition to writing for stage, screen, television and radio he has contributed columns and articles for numerous newspapers and magazines, and has also written four successful novels and a series of memoirs.

See also Mrs. Stephen Fry as a pseudonym of the author.

Reviews

[Fefyy Antela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐ ROUNDED UP

Stephen Fry can do no wrong in my eyes.

He could narrate the phone book to me and I'd be the happiest girl in town...

A book about his tie collection with random sartorial facts and anecdotes? I 👏🏻 AM 👏🏻 IN 👏🏻

Also I can't believe he had Juliet Stevenson coming into a studio to narrate only designs and patterns 🤣

What an icon.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Easy reading with little nuggets of information scattered throughout the journey of times and places and memories.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This seems like a strange concept for a book, especially an audiobook, but after a particularly stressful week, the relaxing voice of Stephen Fry was exactly what the doctor ordered.

During Lockdown, Stephen posted a photograph of one of his many ties on Instagram every day with a brief history of either the tie designer or seller, or how and why he acquired and wore it. I looked forward to these each day as did many others, so the book was created as a compilation. It is accompanied by a pdf with all the photographs, and each tie is described at the beginning of the chapter by Juliet Stephenson.
Very informative and entertaining.

[NPC · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just knowing that this exists makes me want to vomit.

[Max Nemtsov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Великолепный панегирик с картинками — даже не столько самим галстукам, как об этом заявляется в названии, сколько британской (и, шире, западной) цивилизации, выраженной через материальную культуру (потребления, в том числе, и ничего плохого в этом нет), установленном порядку вещей (той самой британской традиционности, чьей иконой и стал автор, хотя казалось бы), который трудновато нарушить всяким мерзким потрясениям, вроде пандемии или войны. И это, надо сказать, утешает в темное и смутное время: все пройдет, а галстуки (например) останутся. Альбом этот получился настолько красивым, что я сам даже пару раз бегал к гардеробу проверить, что из галстуков (которых я не ношу уже лет двадцать) у меня осталось: помню, был зелененький от Пьера Кардена, был строгий темно-синий галстук круизов британской фирмы СТС (Charter Travel Company), с которыми я работал в 80х, было несколько «селедок» начала 60х годов, доставшихся мне от папы (один — прекрасный серый вязаный, я его очень любил)… не нашел ничего, но где-то они до сих пор есть.
Жаль только, что здесь Фрай не рассказывает о том, как ему досталась пара галстуков Т. С. Элиота — в одном он был на видеовстрече с нами некоторое время назад и об этом упоминал.

[MissSophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely wonderful book!
I love Fry's witty writing and his stories.

[Shashi Martynova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, playful, lighthearted chat about this small but quirky and curious accessory. Very English, very Stephen Fry-ish. And yes, with some tinge of wabi-sabi and mono no aware, sure.

[Bluetiful Hadeel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Fry... should I say more?
I would listen to him endlessly
I would read his words forever
I would watch him anywhere gazing for eternity
...
I literally loved his ties' journal during the pandemic, hence, the book rests peacefully in my hands.
Enjoyed every second reading the book. And if you really know Fry, you would know that he makes you search for more books and information about the things he mentions in his amazing books... I mean... he makes you crave for more... yeah?
...
ستيفان فراي...
أحب كتاباته... وكلامه وأسلوبه...
في مرحلة الكورونا أمتعنا بيومياته مع ربطات العنق الخاصة به... ونشر هذا الكتاب بسبب كمية الإعجاب...
والجميل في أسلوب فراي انه يجعلك تبحث عن معلومات أكثر... يجعلك تشتهي أن تقرأ أكثر وأكثر...

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are going to pick up this rather niche book, all about British hero Stephen Fry’s extensive tie collection, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, narrated throughout in the author’s velvety tones. Before coming to this, I had no idea that anyone could make ties something akin to fascinating to a woman who has never worn one. Fry managed this feat, however. There is a lot about fashion history here, which I very much appreciated, and I found it entertaining from start to finish. Fry is excellent company for both hobbies and chores around the house, and I truly wish this book had been a longer listen!

[Muaz Jalil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a signed copy of the book. This is essentially anthology of short notes that Fry initially posted in Instagram about his tie collection. This was during the early days of Covid. I followed his posts regularly and so the book is a kind of repeat for me. These posts were a joy to read, especially when I was stuck in a never ending lockdown. Only Fry can make a book on tie interesting!

[Don Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not quite sure what I was thinking when I borrowed this from Borrowbox.

It was fine, albeit based on a topic (fashion as a whole rather than just ties) that I have next to no interest in. The closest thing I can compare this too is if you were going through a friends clothing collection and asking them where they got every one of their ties. Sometimes the answer is interesting, other times it isn't. It has some facts about certain brands but I doubt that I will remember any of them come next week.

I really do think that for the right reader/listener this would be great. For me, not so much. 2.5 rounded up.

[Tanya Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is so interesting.

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“In this sense we can allow ties to stand as representative of our constant reading and misreading of the signs, symbols, ciphers, tokens, emblems and badges that surround and assail us in the human world.
‘Please notice me.’
'Please don't notice me.'
There is, too, what you might call the rhythm of the wearing.
'He has worn that same tie every day this week.'
'Every time I see them, they're wearing a completely different and clearly expensive tie.
'Oh, a half-Windsor today, I see?'
…Sometimes a tie is a tie is a tie and there's little or nothing to read”

In my late teens I realised that I wasn’t in a rush to get rid of my teen/grunge issued outfits of t shirt, short dungarees/leggings and big boots, but that I needed to add in something for the occasions where I needed to feel a bit more sophisticated - the ever present video copy of a Breakfast at Tiffany’s inspired this need to thin Accessorize scarves, and voila, with the addition of one short piece of chiffony patterned rag wrapped or tied in different ways, any outfit was turned into a more sophisticated adult style! I still use this today but now it’s more to keep a weak neck warm, as well as hiding a widening throat. I can mentally put together an outfit but it’s only when I look in the mirror can I decide what scarf it needs to break or mix it up, and possibly add the emotable element that I might be lacking to face the day. I’m guessing for men this is the same for a tie… I don’t guess actually - I worked in law and chose to also on occasion adopt the shirt and tie uniform for the more structured/in control days - with a selection of ties (thin black, wider blue and white check, purple, a Minnie Mouse inspired red with white spots, and a gifted Australian koala based tie) to me it was just an alternative set of necklaces

I wasn’t familiar with the socials posts featuring #frysties but of course this was going to have a wonderful narrative alongside beautifully shot images for anyone interested in fashion or image based representations. I didn’t expect the watercolours but it’s a lovely insight into mens fashions. All the 80s shopping vibes were covered (including the small size phenomena that was Tie Rack) alongside key designers from the last 40 years. Some choose slogan t shirts, some statement jewellery, others key footwear and any recognisable mainstream brands - thank you for emoting this niche area in such a wonderful way, with a bit of sporting history thrown in for good measure

[trijnewijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stelling: Stephen Fry heeft een zodanig aangename vertelstem dat het een plezier is om ernaar te luisteren, ongeacht het onderwerp waarover hij praat.

Bewijs: dit audioboek. 4 uur luisteren naar gedachten over en associaties met foto’s van dassen (het kledingstuk , niet het dier) die je niet eens kan zien.

Voordien was mijn voornaamste gedachte over dassen dat ik blij ben dat mijn pepe me ooit dassenknopen leerde, aangezien de zoon er nu ene draagt als deel van zijn schooluniform en manlief die nooit leerde knopen om het voor te tonen. Dit audioboek bracht daar geen verandering in, maar mijn kennis over dit kledingstuk dat ik zelf nooit draag is wel een stuk uitgebreider geworden. Het deed me wat denken aan QI, niks ervan was essentiële informatie, maar veel ervan was Quite Interesting en er zat genoeg humor, observaties en maatschappijkritiek in om het een fijne ervaring te maken. En wie weet, misschien komt die nieuwe kennis ooit nog van pas.

[Sharondblk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book is niche. I love Stephen Fry, and I've always said I would be happy to listen to him read the phone book. Unrelated, but for the last ten years I have participated in Bad Tie Mondays (https://www.facebook.com/groups/32356... or #badtiemonday on instagram) a

movement to brighten up the beginning of the working week. Bad Tie Monday is about fighting the despair of having to work for a living, it’s about shouting defiance in the face of 5 more days of drudgery, it’s about wearing the loudest, brightest and most tasteless tie you can find.

So I've spent a lot of time thinking about, shopping for and wearing bad ties. For me, this book covered a fairly obscure ven-diagram of Stephen Fry and ties. What will it do for you? rad the book, join the movement and find out.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Fry whom I absolutely adore! Each tie has a wonderful anecdote or story attached to it, thus small snippets about Fry’s own life.
I’ll read anything which he writes; he just has a way with words (and his audiobooks are just on point). Only Fry can take a somewhat uninteresting subject such as ties and make it interesting!

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable trail through a small part of the authors life, via his tie collection. I have learned things I never knew I wanted to know about gentlemen's outfitters and the history of the British high street.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

If anyone had told me that I’d be reading a book about Stephen Fry’s ties I’d have told them they were bonkers. Having said that this is actually a really interesting read. The little details he remembers about each tie and then what he finds out about them too is really fun to learn. Each tie is really pretty too.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally bought this audiobook because I had a headache and needed a book with a narrator with a pleasant voice (who better than Stephen Fry). This also meets my love of niche microhistories. I learned more about ties and designers than I expected! Fun read/listen.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.9

[Thomas Vos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boodschap van het boek: dassen zijn een dingetje. Hier komt toch alleen Stephen Fry mee weg.

[Carl Sjölin Fagerlind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and slightly interesting, but not much more than that

[Andrea Swinsco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully British, touchingly intimate, and far more fascinating than it sounds!

[Yves Heymans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephen Fry kan een boek over plastrons schrijven en het zal nog interessant zijn. Maar ook: het blijft een boek over plastrons, zelfs al heeft Stephen Fry het geschreven.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would listen to Stephen Fry read the phone book. His erudite view of the world is at once fully posh and modern, but rooted in a world we (I) can only aspire to. As an Anglophile, I recommend this book.

[maryam :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little anecdotes but god this dude is upper class

[Mat Greener · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave up on this although being a big fan of Stephen fry. A list of all his ties & what they meant. Introduction reasonably interesting then found odd tie interesting but majority not so.

[Kirstie Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review copy courtesy of Penguin Random House

Proof that Stephen Fry can write about anything and make it marvellous.

An entertaining history of the necktie
This was honestly such a great read! I love the way Fry writes and I didn't really know what I was getting myself into with this one, but I trusted it would be good.

And good it was! This is an exposition of Fry's tie collection, with a little bit of memoir and history to accompany the story of each tie.

Not only that, but there are really quite stunning photographs of each tie, which were immensely satisfying to look at. I find myself very envious of his tie collection and desperately want an awesome one of my own.

If you like ties or Stephen Fry, this book is a great cocktail of ridiculous delight to feast your eyes upon.

[Jenny Quelcutti · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an excellent audiobook for putting me to sleep. I would have preferred more personal anecdotes though and less brand history.

[Mitch Wind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoe kun je een interessant boek schrijven over stropdassen? Het lijkt onmogelijk, maar Fry lukt het. De perfecte combinatie tussen persoonlijke anekdotes, historie en prachtige foto's maakt het boek tot een machtige, kleine ode aan de plastron.