Everything Everywhere Daily A Brief History of Neckties
Dec 5, 2025
Explore the fascinating evolution of neckties, starting from ancient coverings used for protection and status. Discover how Croatian mercenaries inspired the cravat fashion in France and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on neckwear styles. Learn about Jesse Langsdorf's innovative tie construction method and how ties transformed into corporate status symbols in the 1980s. Delve into variations of tying knots and the cultural journey of this iconic accessory, revealing its surprising significance through history.
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Tie As Social Signal
- Neckties have no practical modern function yet carry heavy social meaning.
- Gary Arndt highlights that ties mark formality and professional identity despite being just cloth.
Ancient Roots Of Neckwear
- Neckwear dates back millennia, used both for protection and status.
- Gary Arndt connects ancient examples like Chinese terracotta soldiers and Roman focala to modern ties.
Croatian Soldiers Sparked A Fashion
- The modern tie began with 17th-century Croatian mercenaries in French service.
- Gary Arndt explains how Parisians called the accessories cravats, from the French word for Croatian.