What is the History of the Necktie?

Clip-on ties are not only for men who never learned to tie a tie, although these guys will always get the perfect knot every time. The clip-on tie was invented in Iowa around 1928 (clipontie.com) to address the hazards of professional life for workers who wore ties while on the job.

Although the clip-on necktie became increasingly important in all professions, among those in uniform - such as postal workers, police officers, and firefighters - it allowed workers to wear a necktie that wouldn't get snagged and hang on, thereby minimizing the risk of injury.

The necktie has a more storied history. Portraits from as early as the 3rd Century BCE show the neck wrapped with fabric as a guard against having Adam’s apple. Choices of fabric to keep the human neck warm, shielded, or adorned, abounded.

Scholars believe that the modern necktie originated in 1636. For example, in France, the Catholic monarch King Louis XIII recruited Croatian mercenaries to wage war on behalf of the King in the Thirty Years War (Smithfield). The coats of the mercenaries were fastened at the throat with bits of colored cloth.

Intrigued by the comfortable, neat appearance, the King adopted the look over the crumpled ruffled collars that were in fashion at the time, calling it the cravat; the French word for Croatian is croate. The style caught on and soon swept the Channel to England, where cravate became cravat. They came in various styles, from fancy to plain, but were usually a long strip of cloth wrapped around the neck and knotted in front.

Sometimes referred to as the "four-in-hand," the thin modern tie's closest forebear has its roots in coachmen who slip-knotted their cravats so that, while driving their teams, their neckwear wouldn't blow off in the wind. Even today, we have a popular knot known as the Four-in-Hand. Considered a versatile, easy-to-tie, and reliable knot, you can learn how to tie it with this tutorial.

For fancier knots, try this tutorial from Suits Unlimited. Lovers of ties would say that various tie knots are best suited to tie widths and shirt collars of this or that dip, height, or shape, whether button-down or forward-pointing, or cut-away.

Ties began encroaching on women's fashion in the late 1800s, as women increasingly wore more-tailored clothing for activities such as bicycling and hiking. With women taking over offices and factories in the First and Second World Wars, more styles of neckties ("Neckties") were created.

They are on the ebb in necktie wear, if recent history is any guide. Nevertheless, the tradition is still reflected in the types of materials used, as well as in the styles and knots. Ties still add a touch of color, a burst of pattern, and a whiff of personality to an otherwise bland sea of professional wear, even if ties aren't as relevant in most workplaces these days, they are still ever appropriate for formal affairs.