NECKTIE HISTORY

Necktie history goes back to just a century ago. Neckties came from the continent, from France in particular. It was the adoption by England that made neckties popular, and today they are an essential ingredient of formal attire. In fact, the very word ‘formal’ has come to be associated with neckties.

CROATIAN ORIGINS

A popular view of the history of neckties reveals that Croatian soldiers serving in the French Army of the 1600's started the tradition. It was perhaps some intricately tied scarf - a gift to a soldier from a loved one - especially a wife or fiancée. Worn as a sign of devotion and fidelity. When the Croatian soldiers came to Paris after defeating Turkey, their bravery and wear impressed the French, who called it ‘cravate' after those who wore them first (Croats). This still remains the French word for a necktie. The king like it and he soon made them an insignia of royalty as he created a regiment of Royal Cravattes.

ENGLISH APPROVAL

Charles II adopted the tie while in exile. From there, the popularity spread to other English institutions and colonies - from Cambridge to America.

By the 19th century simple well-cut and tailored clothes became popular giving rise to modern business suits. Ties stopped being scarves, or frilly handkerchiefs, evolving into the shape they have today.

USE OF TIES FOR INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Clubs, military regiments, schools, etc. used colored and patterned ties in the late-nineteenth century England. The first report is in 1880, when Exeter College, Oxford rowers took the College-color ribbons from their straw boaters and wore them as neckties (tied four-in-hand). Proper ties were immediately ordered in the same colors and the college necktie was born.

The most common pattern for such ties was and remains diagonal stripes in alternating colors (running down the tie from the left in the U.K. and most of Europe, rather than the U.S. preference for stripes running down from the right.)