The encyclopedic J. Press necktie collection my dad, Paul Press stored in his home closet prompted patriarchal competition that spurred my change to bow ties. There was simply no way I could challenge my father’s necktie collection on my starter salary, even granted a generous employee discount. And I couldn’t borrow from him anymore when I moved after college from hometown New Haven to New York City.
To read this story and many more, purchase the Threading the Needle book by Richard Press.
