The History of Men's Neckties

A necktie is a strip of fabric that men wear around their necks under their collars. There are many ways they can be tied and many reasons why they may be worn. Most often, they are worn by businessmen in the office as a sign of professionalism. But where did the necktie come from, and where has it been?

Ancient Times

The birth of the general idea of the necktie can be traced to ancient times, when neck adornments were worn as a symbol of power or wealth. In Egypt, rectangular pieces of cloth tied around the neck were used to represent the wearer's status. Ancient graves in China are surrounded by statues wearing cloth around their necks. Even people in Ancient Roman art can be seen wearing adornments around their necks.

Cravat & Steinkirks

The cravat, a small neckerchief worn knotted around the neck, was worn by Croatians during the Thirty Years' War (1618 to 1648). The Parisians found this neck adornment interesting, and thus the cravat become the new hottest accessory in Europe for both men and women. In 1692 princes wrapped cravats around their necks and twisted the ends together before tucking them into their jackets through a buttonhole during the Battle of Steenkerque. Thus, cravats tied in such a fashion came to be known as Steinkirks.

Neckclothitania

In 1818 a book entitled Neckclothitania was published. This book illustrated 14 different ways in which a cravat could be tied. This was the first time that the word "tie" was linked to neck adornments. During this time, stocks, a piece of muslin wrapped under the collar, became the most popular form of neck wear, with the exception of formal occasions.

The Modern Necktie

The industrial revolution was the catalyst for the modern necktie. There existed a need for something quicker and easier to tie than the previously popular cravat. Men needed their neck adornment to remain tied throughout the day while they were at work. It was during this time that the ascot, bow tie and long tie came into style.

Recent History

Since its conception the necktie has survived several different trends. In the 1940s neckties were adorned with funky patterns and were wider than before. In the 1950s ties calmed down and slimmed down to match the slimmer suit lapels of the time. The 1960s saw the tie continue to get slimmer and dark solids come into style. Now men's neckties are slightly wider than the ties of the 1960s, and they are more colorful. Today's neckties come in stripes, polka dots, solids and almost any pattern you can imagine.