Letter: Suitable attire

Sir: Mrs B. M. Young asks why the English male indulges in self-torture by wearing jacket, collar and tie even in heatwaves (letter, 10 June).

Jacket pockets are safe repositories for wallet and keys. The alternative male handbag is too un-British. Then, a jacket obscures and flatters both corpulent and skinny bodies. Likewise, a collar and tie enhances the appearance and draws the eye of the onlooker away from the deficiencies of a man's figure.

Presumably for this and other reasons many businesses insist that their male staff wear a tie at all times in the office. Meanwhile, their female colleagues can remain cooler and happier in light dresses with low necklines.

Yours faithfully,

JAMES T. WESTLAND

Nottingham

10 June