Interesting comments guys. But what about women instructors wearing ties? I started my instructing career at quite a casual school where nobody made a fuss whether you wore a short and tie or jeans. i always wore a tidy shirt and dark trousers but in the summer I wore a polo shirt and shorts. Very comfortable.
Now I have to wear the uniform and wear a white airline shirt and black trousers. There is a company tie, but I am in two minds about it and have dispensed with it this summer, as i do not think it adds much to my image. However, I do think it is essential to make that first impression of being tidy, clean and organised. These days when even lawyers' firms dress down on Fridays, I think the tie is less important.
What is important is to be CLEAN and not smell of BO, halitosis or cigarettes. My advice to instructors is not to eat curry, onions or garlic, not to smoke and not to drink too much coffee before flying. If you tend towards overheating ditch the tie and make sure you use plenty of deodorant. The confines of a C152 cockpit do not tolerate any bodily odours or breath problems, so make sure you take the extra strong mints with you!!