Worth buying school ties if they're optional?

[Kosovo11]

DS is starting reception and DD is starting year 10 at the same new school in September. The uniform guidelines say that while the shirt and sweatshirt are compulsory, the school the is optional. Is it worth purchasing if they aren't actually visible when worn? But on the other hand it may look more scruffy without one?

For Reception, no way! I just think it's cruel.
For Y10 maybe see what the others are doing?

I'd buy them one so you've got it for photo days and whatnot.
They're not that expensive considering you only need to buy one the whole time they're at the school

Y10 having the same sweatshirt uniform is really unusual and no way would I buy an optional tie! Primary school had this and No one really wore the tie other than some year 6s who did it in an ironic "trendy" way.

Do you mean y1?

No year 10. Her last school had clip on ties and hoodies so this is a bit of a change.

So, while there is a tie, the kids don’t have to wear it? Why would anyone wear a tie to school if they don’t have to?

No, I’m this case (assuming that I’ve understood), I wouldn’t bother buying a tie.

I can see your point, but then no tie means an open neck shirt with sweatshirt could look worse imo.

I once read an article on Facebook about a school where kids wanted a tie to be introduced for the first time.

Mine like wearing a tie. Like the formal ceremony of it, I guess, make folk take school seriously.

Also shirt & sweatshirt with no tie leads to the collar in or out debate