NATIONAL TIE MONTH
In December, National Tie Month honors the most required yet maligned strip of cloth that’s an essential part of business attire – behold, the tie. Neckties give a man the chance to add a little spice to his classy, professional look. Let’s be honest, ladies, a good lookin’ necktie speaks volumes about a man’s sense of style. It even gives us a little look at his personality. This month, give a little extra respect to the professional, classy, and trendy men in their favorite ties.
Tie Trivia
- Neckties evolved from the silk scarves worn by Croatian soldiers; at the time, they were called cravats.
- $220,000. Believe it or not, that number represents the most expensive tie ever made. The Satya Paul Design Studio created the tie containing 271 diamonds and 150 grams of gold. Talk about a class act. (Insert sticker shock comments, wide eyes and jaw-dropped face here.)
- At one time in history, touching a man’s necktie could induce a dual.
- While ties are no longer as popular as they once were, Americans spent over 1 billion on 100 million ties the year that they were.
- You can buy a unique tie that will block a 9-millimeter bullet from piercing your skin. (Hopefully, though, you don’t have to.)
Tie History
Different versions of the tie go back at least as far as the days of the Roman Empire, where soldiers wore them for decoration or identification. However, the modern necktie traces its history to the Thirty Years War, where Croatian mercenaries were celebrated for their cravats (see above). The French, most notably King Louis XIV, began wearing them in the mid-1600s.
In the early 1700s, a variation called the “stock” enjoyed popularity, notably among horsemen. They made the stock of leather and wrapped it around their neck to help the rider hold his head up. (How crazy is that?!) Portraits of prominent soldiers such as George Washington and Civil War general William T. Sherman show them wearing versions of stocks.
Tailors began developing the modern necktie during the Industrial Revolution, as more people were seeking comfortable neckwear they could easily put on. Colored, hand-painted neckties came into prominence after World War I.
Bow ties and ascot-type ties also enjoyed varying levels of popularity during the 19th and 20th centuries. Croatian mercenaries originally developed the bow tie as a smaller version of the cravat.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalTieMonth
Use #NationalTieMonth to post on social media. Guys (or girls!) take a selfie in your favorite necktie and post a picture of yourself rocking that professional and edgy style! If you don’t know much about neckties or why they’re a staple in men’s (and sometime’s women’s) professional wear, you’re about to find out!
NATIONAL TIE MONTH HISTORY
In our research, we were unable to find the founder of National Tie Month.
