The tie is the quintessential men's accessory : always worn in formal, professional and elegant contexts , in recent years it has been played down a lot, often becoming an optional complement.
History of the tie
The first ancestor of the tie dates back to Roman times. A strip of cloth tied around the neck protected the nose and mouth of Roman legionaries when necessary during marches on dirt terrain.
Other examples, more similar to today's ties, are those worn by Croatian mercenaries in the French army during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). It was, no less, what later became the classic Parisian foulard . And since in French croati is croates, that piece of cloth was called cravate , in Italian camicia.
It was then Louis XIV who wore it, as a fashion accessory for the French nobility : a new clothing accessory that differentiated the higher social class from the lower. Even today, the tie is worn to give one's outfit a classic, formal, elegant tone .
The paternity of the modern tie goes to the New York tailor Jesse Langsdorft , who was the first to conceive and make the 45° angle as we know it today. At the beginning of the 20th century it continued to be worn by the emerging classes, with a certain economic availability and who wanted to emphasize their social climbing. The tie became a true status symbol.
The regimental tie
The regimental tie – that is, with a pattern of one or more stripes – deserves a separate story. Here, it is enough to know that based on the number of stripes, the color and the size, it can identify a group to which it belongs (such as a college, a university, a political group). Be careful when traveling for work: this accessory could also be a cultural symbol depending on the country.
Fabrics for the tie
The more precious the fabric chosen, the more valuable the tie will be. The quintessential tie, the one for formal wear to be clear, is 100% silk . You may also find it in wool and wool and linen . In these latter variations, the tone that the fabric gives to the accessory is more casual, but always refined and chic.
Which tie to wear? Style and type for every occasion
The most classic tie is the one with a width of 8 cm: the tie as we are most used to understanding it. Every man has worn it at least once to complete a formal suit, on the occasion of an anniversary or an important work commitment.
The narrow version, also called young , is the most casual solution and, indeed, more suitable for a younger age group. The width is halved to 4.5 cm and is mostly worn in everyday life, to complete a broken outfit. Wear it for example with chino pants, a blazer and a solid color shirt if the tie is in patterned fabric; a striped shirt if the tie is monochrome.
The tie in the unlined version is so light that it seems like a scarf. Inside it has a small cotton canvas that covers the seams, but without weighing it down. Also in this case we suggest combining it with a more casual than elegant outfit: a touch of refinement in a classic work day and in free time.
The Sette Pieghe model is the chicest tie , for very refined outfits. The fabric, once cut into the pieces that compose it, and before the final sewing, is folded several times on itself (hence the name "seven folds"). The final result is a thicker and more consistent tie: the accessory becomes the protagonist of the look. To be worn in refined contexts, where an elegant dress code is required.
The knitted tie is almost always found in a solid color . You can recognize it because it is narrow and with a square end. The advice is to wear it in fairly informal settings, with a casual jacket. As for the young tie, it is more suited to completing a young and contemporary style.
The tie: recurring mistakes
Choosing the right tie to wear is not so trivial. Avoid wearing it in the same color as your shirt : if you don't have many shades and patterns available, it's better to leave it in the closet, avoiding an unsightly tone sur tone. For more formal occasions, such as an important business meeting, choose soft colors and less flashy patterns . Finally, remember that a solid-colored tie should only be worn with formal wear : even in this case, it is advisable to choose colors that are not too bright.
In general, keep in mind that the tie is still an accessory that has its value today : it gives the outfit a certain refinement, a dose of elegance that cannot go unnoticed. Wear it only on occasions where you are sure you will not appear out of place and where you do not run the risk of making people uncomfortable who might be wearing a more sporty outfit.
Fun fact : October 18th is International Tie Day in Croatia and in several cities around the world, such as Dublin, Tübingen, Como, Tokyo, Sydney and others.