History suggests that ties originated from Rome. It was a scarf probably used both as a handkerchief and protection against the cold. Croatians then imitated it and went to France with it in the thirty years’ war where they had gone to join efforts with France to battle Spain and the pieces of cloth around the neck made them easily identifiable: Silk neckties were used for officers whereas soldiers were satisfied with neckties of simpler materials. Upon reaching France, King Louis XIII loved the clothes, and even named them “La Cravate” after the Croatians name “Le croate”. They were then admired by French nobles and wealthy burghers and spread to Europe in that way. In 1700, a rectangular scarf in both black and white took over and was turned into a necktie. By the 1800, people started embracing ties in European countries, and touching another man’s neckwear was a ground of duel and the four-in-hand knot was embraced all over, especially in the UK military and colleges and were popularised by King Edward VII. In France, even middle-class people started putting them on as a sign of wealth and success, according to workopolice.com. In 1827, a French book L’art de se Mettre la Cravate was released and included 32 knots of a neckwear. From that time, more and more patterns started emerging and the belly warmer started getting embraced more than neck wears. In 1950s, skinny ties usually no more than two or so inches took over and they were more tailored and painted. As of today in many offices, ties are a novelty and they are worn and used in all sorts of events, notably, political and diplomatic ones.
