- Men have been tying cloth around their neck almost since the dawn of civilization. In ancient Egypt they tied cloth around their neck to extend over their shoulders. Ancient Chinese statues can be found with cloth tried around their necks. The development of the modern necktie is mostly attributed to the Croatians, who, while fighting a war against the French, wore knotted kerchiefs around their necks. This then led to the wildly popular lace cravat (favored by Louis XIV and contemporaries), the silk cravat, the bow tie and the necktie. Also associated with this trend is the lower class bandanna or knotted kerchief.
- A tie knotted at the neck is considered part of a man's suit, and wearing one connotes a serious business attitude or an eye for appropriate attire. Lack of a necktie is often considered rude or inappropriate.
- In current fashion, men's neckties fall into two categories: neckties and bow ties, the former most often paired with a suit or dress shirt and the latter most frequently associated with a tuxedo (or a quirky professor).
- Different knots in ties are socially perceived in different ways. Often the more complicated a knot, the more prestige associated with the wearer; for example, you don't find many waiters sporting a full windsor knot. A half windsor knot is the most common to be found in neckties. Additionally color should be considered, though standards of traditional etiquette dictate little on neckties; bow ties, however, are considered appropriate in black only after sunset, and in white only before.
- For men whose typical suits are generally black, navy or gray, a tie can be a definition of personality; it is a way to express themselves. There are color combinations and brand names that are certainly more prestigious; there also are ties that connote history and legacy such as what university someone attended or other affiliations. A 45-degree stripe is a very common choice, as are solid colors, as often seen in presidential debates.
