11 SEPTEMBER 1993, Page 26

Poor excuse

Sir: Adam Nicolson (`Clever dickies', 28 August) attacks bow ties for all sorts of rea- sons but does not realise their design is strictly utilitarian for many men. My late father, an artist and designer, wore a bow tie virtually every day of his life and explained to me that he did so because they did not trail in his paints and inks. I pre- sume this is why so many artists have done the same.

Robert Low

33 Canfield Gardens, London NW6