Genesis of the Tie...

The tie is one of the most commonly used fashion accessories for men across the globe. Considering the aesthetic value that a tie incorporates, it is interesting to note that this clothing item saw its genesis in times of war. Following the 1660 victory of Croatia over the Ottoman Empire, the Croatian soldiers were ceremoniously introduced to King Louis XIV in Paris. The fashion conscious ruler instantly noticed the vibrantly colored silk kerchiefs tied around the warriors’ necks. The king adopted these eye-catching silk accouterments as an insignia of royalty, forming a new regiment called the Royal Cravattes. The kerchiefs’ title of “cravats” originated from the word, “Croats”.

After being introduced into England, cravats became popular among the common man and various new styles and embellishments emerged. Some cravats were made of tasseled strings and some even incorporated tufts, bows and intricate embroidery. The entry of cravats into America happened during the Civil War, and ties were being imported in the initial years. Later, indigenous production took root and showed steady progress. Towards the twentieth century, American cravats were reputed to be as good, if not better, than their European counterparts. In the last century, ties saw rapid increase in popularity among the general public across the globe. It was from the cravat that the modern tie, as we know it today, descended. Nowadays, ties are worn by almost every style-conscious individual and do not necessarily have to be a symbol of power. The modern tie is slimmer than the original cravat and comes in varied colors. Previously, folding men’s fat ties was truly a work of art. It is said that, presently, one out of every five men can tie a tie.

During the defiant decade of the 1960s, represented by the Peacock Revolution, the trend towards wearing neckties saw a temporary decline. This was in response to the ‘antiestablishment’ nature of customers and the feeling of rebellion. However, in the 1970s, ties were back in action like never before with fans ranging from politicians to corporate executives to the man on the street. While the tie has seen countless changes down the years, fashion experts contend that one factor that should remain approximately constant is the width of the tie, this measurement being 3 ¼ inches. Truly, a Belisi or any other necktie is a chic and versatile clothing accessory.