The Origin of the Necktie

Neckties are long pieces of cloth in different colors wrapped around the neck that symbolize status and prosperity for men. This idea is widely acceptable and some people have wondered how it has arrived to that status. This question does not have easy answers. It is not because there are no records that can serve as an evidence or there are conflicting records. It's more about having varied opinions because the only answer to the question lies on how we define neckties.

Probably the oldest people using a necktie of some sort are the lovable prehistoric Saturday morning cartoon characters. They are not fact based, of course. But historically speaking, there were recent discoveries that show the antiquity of neckties. Within the ranks of the Chinese terracotta army unearthed during the 1970s showed several men who wore bands of cloth around their necks and its ends dangled in their chest. These clay warriors were molded around 220 BC! Interestingly enough, the ends of these pieces of cloth have pointed ends similar to those that we have right now.

But did neckties originated in China as evidenced by the tough terracotta men? It is doubtful since in Chinese history, there are no records of male neckwear similar to neckties. Or maybe, the fad did not last enough.

Some people have different opinions. Other argue on the perspective of trend originators basing solely on what one considers a necktie. Romans have neck warmers while European have ruffled scarves during the Middle Ages. On the other hand, Croatian soldiers during the 1600s sport the cravatta. These are some of the suggestions, even lacy ruffles were not spared as they were symbols of power and prestige before. The bigger the ruffle, the more powerful a man is.

Among those mentioned above, the Croatian army seemed to have been the one that created the most profound imprint in the history of worldwide fashion. Their hard fought battles and campaigned afforded them respect which European rules soon took notice. 20 years or so years passed when the French, foremost fashion trend setters, accepted the cravat as a formal attire. Ruffles were banned in a number of countries and they, too, started wearing a tie. Louis XIV of France was said to have developed an obsession with the new fashion trend and he was, as a matter of fact, was the one responsible for the world wide acceptance of the cravat.

From France, the public shifted their attention to Britain as a fashion leader in the 1800s. England's George IV and George V were credited for the transition of the traditional cravat towards the modern tie. Brummel, a British fashion icon who greatly influenced George IV, experimented with neckties and produced different necktie designs as well as ways on how to tie it.

Centuries thereafter, the neckties witnessed public acceptance when military regiments and schools required standards for color and design of their ties. The British, and later the Americans, progressed with their own regimental stripes, which eventually went mainstream. Designers produces ties with a wide range of colors and design.

And thus, the necktie era was born.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3384601