Collection: Neck Ties

The Neck Tie

Although there are many types, styles, and forms of neck ties, my collection is focused on specifically the modern neck tie. I've found some broad overview and background to the history, and various styles, and knows of neck ties. These are pulled from various sources (cited below) that have collectively displayed a reputable amount of in depth information on neck ties.

History

The necktie (or tie) is a long piece of cloth worn for decorative purposes around the neck or shoulders, resting under the shirt collar and knotted at the throat. Variants include the bow tie, ascot tie, bolo tie, and the clip-on tie. The modern necktie, ascot, and bow tie are descended from the cravat. Neck ties are generally unsized, but may be available in a longer size. Men and boys wear neckties as part of regular office attire or formal wear. Neckties can also be worn as part of a uniform (e.g. military, school and waitstaff). Some people wear a tie as normal fashion wear.

The necktie traces back to the time of Thirty Year's War (1618–1648) when Croatian mercenaries from the Military Frontier in French service, wearing their traditional small, knotted neckerchiefs, aroused the interest of the Parisians. Due to the slight difference between the Croatian word for Croats, Hrvati, and the French word, Croates, the garment gained the name "Cravat". The new article of clothing started a fashion craze in Europe where both men and women wore pieces of fabric around their necks. In the late seventeenth century, the men wore lace cravats that took a large amount of time and effort to arrange. These cravats were often tied in place by cravat strings, arranged neatly and tied in a bow.

Styling

• Length.
  One common mistake that men make when adjusting their neckties is to let them hang too long or too short. A properly worn necktie will graze the top of a man's pants to cover up the pants button. Up on the belly or chest is too high, while covering the pants zipper is too low.
• Label.
  Many men also tuck the thin part of the tie into the label sewn onto the back of the wide part. This is not what the label is there for. Ties are supposed to have some natural movement. If they weren't they would come with snaps or staples on the back.
• The knot.
  Biggest necktie pet peeve is the wimpy or narrow knot. He prefers the strong Double Windsor, in which the tie's large end is tied over the small end twice. This results in a fuller knot and a more powerful look.
• The dimples.
  Don't worry too much about the dimples in the knot. It doesn't matter how many there are, as long as they are centered in the middle of the knot.

Knots

Windsor

Half Windsor

Double Windsor

Shell Know

Four in Hand

Pratt Knot


Types of Neck Ties

Cravat

Steinkirks

Modern Neck Tie

Bow Tie

Bandana

Scarf

Solitaire

Stock

Neckerchief

Ascot

Southern Bow Tie

Texan Bull Tie



Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necktie

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1813960,00.html

http://www.ties-necktie.com/ties-history.php

http://www.fineliving.com/fine/rejuvenation_essentials/article/0,,fine_1422_1712407,00.html

http://www.totieatie.com/