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Necktie

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A necktie is a formal piece of cloth neckwear used for decoration or symbolic purposes.

Memphis tie 1A
Memphis tie 1A

Most often, a tie is knotted at the throat and rests under a folded shirt collar. It usually drapes down the chest of the wearer. People often pair neckties with collared dress shirts, suit jackets, or blazers. Some also wear them with v-neck sweaters or sport coats. In certain manual labor jobs, the tie is tucked into the shirt. For example, the United States Marine Corps uses this style for their dress uniforms.

HH Polizeihauptmeister MZ
HH Polizeihauptmeister MZ

Wearing a necktie involves a specific sequence of steps to achieve a neat look. Traditionally, the wearer must fasten the top button of their shirt first. The knot is then tied so it rests between the points of the collar. The style of the knot is a major part of personal expression.

In the late 1990s, researchers Thomas Fink and Yong Mao studied this mathematically. They looked at 85 possible knots and determined that only 13 were "aesthetically" viable. Among these, the four-in-hand, the Pratt, and the Windsor knots are the most common.

Tie dimple
Tie dimple

There are many different types of neckwear that have existed throughout history. One early form was the cravat, which was often tied with strings into a bow. Another type was the stock, which appeared around 1715. Originally, some stocks were made of leather to help soldiers maintain a military bearing.

Man's tailcoat detail with stock and beaver top hat
Man's tailcoat detail with stock and beaver top hat

There was also the ascot, which featured wide flaps that were crossed and pinned on the chest. In the 1960s, a wide, triangular style known as the "kipper tie" became popular in Britain.

Tie collection
Tie collection

Even smaller versions, like the bow tie, became common alternatives to the long tie.

The history of the necktie traces back to the Thirty Years' War between 1618 and 1648.

jabot
jabot

Croatian mercenaries serving in France wore small, knotted neckerchiefs. The French called these garments "cravats" because of the similarity between the French and Croatian words for Croats. King Louis XIV began wearing a lace cravat in 1646 when he was only seven years old. This set a fashion trend for the French nobility. Many men also wore jabots, which are pleated or ruffled fabric frills.

jabot
jabot

By 1870, the academic tailors Castell & Son in Oxford created the first modern style necktie.

Throughout the 20th century, the physical dimensions of ties changed frequently. During the Interwar period, ties were shorter because trousers were worn higher at the natural waist. In the 1940s, the "Bold Look" emerged after World War II.

Portrait of Thelonious Monk, Howard McGhee, Roy Eldridge, and Teddy Hill, Minton's Playhouse, New York, N.Y., ca. Sept. 1947
Portrait of Thelonious Monk, Howard McGhee, Roy Eldridge, and Teddy Hill, Minton's Playhouse, New York, N.Y., ca. Sept. 1947

During this era, ties became very wide, sometimes reaching 4 inches. In the 1960s, ties slimmed down to widths as small as 2 inches. By the 1990s, ties lengthened again to about 58 inches as trousers moved lower to the hips.

Krawaty
Krawaty

In the United States, tie sales reached a massive peak of 110 million in the early 1990s.

A major technical breakthrough occurred in 1922 thanks to Jesse Langsdorf. He developed a method of cutting fabric on the bias and sewing it in three segments.

Krawaty
Krawaty

This "Langsdorf" technique improved the elasticity of the tie. It allowed the fabric to return to its original shape and prevented it from twisting. This method became the industry standard because it made ties much easier to care for. It also ensured the tie would fall evenly from the knot.

Tie collection
Tie collection

Today, the role of the necktie in society is changing. In the United States, tie sales saw a significant decline after the 1990s peak. By 2001, annual sales had almost halved to 60 million. This is because many workplaces, restaurants, and clubs no longer require them for entry. While they are no longer a daily staple for many men, they remain important for formal wear. The necktie has transitioned from a required uniform to a choice for special occasions.

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🖼️ Images & Media (21)
File:Memphis tie 1A.JPG
Memphis tie 1A.JPG
File:jabot.svg
jabot.svg
File:Neckcloth.JPG
Neckcloth.JPG
File:Man's tailcoat detail with stock and beaver top hat.jpg
Man's tailcoat detail with stock and...
File:Mathew Brady 1875 cropped.jpg
Mathew Brady 1875 cropped.jpg
File:Theodore Roosevelt by the Pach Bros (4x5 cropped).jpg
Theodore Roosevelt by the Pach Bros (4x5...
File:Portrait of Thelonious Monk, Howard McGhee, Roy Eldridge, and Teddy Hill, Minton's Playhouse, New York, N.Y., ca. Sept. 1947.jpg
Portrait of Thelonious Monk, Howard...
File:Krawaty.jpg
Krawaty.jpg
File:HH Polizeihauptmeister MZ.jpg
HH Polizeihauptmeister MZ.jpg
File:Tie_collection.jpg
Tie_collection.jpg
File:GertrudeVanWagenen.jpg
GertrudeVanWagenen.jpg
File:Indian_school_children_at_Hnahthial.jpg
Indian_school_children_at_Hnahthial.jpg

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