But How Did He Look? David Letterman's Public Apology

Yes, yes, David Letterman may have exposed his bosses at CBS to millions of dollars in legal risks, and he may have destroyed a persona loved by millions of women, and he may have created a hostile work environment at one of the biggest networks in the world, angering the country's most influential women's group in the process. 

But what about his tie?

This is a style site, after all, and we're not above milking a painful scandal for all it's fashionably worth. Sharp-eyed observers may have noted that Letterman not only spoke soberly during his Monday apology for workplace hanky-panky, but also dressed the part, wearing what appeared to be a somber black suit and black-and-white striped tie. In fact, compared with how he usually dresses—and the shiny, silvery suits worn by other talk show guys like Bill Maher—Letterman looked like he'd just come from a funeral. Maybe he was mourning his image.

Letterman is no stranger to striped ties. He loves striped ties. His publicity shots feature him in a gaily hued shade of red striped tie. His interview with Barack Obama had him in a tie with sunny yellow in it. But Letterman rarely wears a tie with stripes inkier than black holes. If he wears a dark suit, he usually goes with a pop of color in the tie.

Call it a mea culpa, head to toe.

To see other stars sporting questionable looks, visit mystyle's Cover Girls: Is That Really You? gallery.