How Old Are Neckties?
To answer this questions, we first have to define what a necktie really is. Some argue that the necktie is over 2,000 years old. Ancient clay sculptures, like the on on the left, that depict Chinese emperors wearing neckties date back to around 221 B.C. It is likely that this early form of necktie was made from silk, since the history of silk dates back to China 4,000 years ago.
Another very common conception to the origin of the necktie dates back to the middle of the 17th century in France. Croatian soldiers that went to France to show support to King Louis during the 30 years war tied the top of their uniforms with scarves that some consider to be the first necktie.
The more modern look of the necktie didn’t come around until about 1850 when the Four in Hand necktie knot was invented. British horsemen wore scares to protect themselves from the colds. They invented a knot that could be tied with one hand while holding the reigns of four horses in the other. The Four in Hand knot is still in popular use today.
After the invention of the modern tie knot, neckties were made thinner and longer. They started to look more like the ties men wear today. They also, once again, had more of a decorative than practical purpose. They were also used as part of mens uniforms. The first uniform tie for example was the necktie of the Oxford’s University Rowing Club in 1880. Soon after, neckties were used to display school colors and military regiments. The so-called regimental ties were born. These striped ties are still very popular today.
Since then, not much has changed in the look of the necktie. Different trends have come and gone out of style. In the 60s for example the skinny tie was popular, and then in the 70s the 4 inch tie was made popular by no other than designer Ralph Lauren. Today neckties measure about 3.25 to 4 inches in width.
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Your Cheap Neckties Team