2,000 Years of the Necktie: Knotty Questions

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

Knotty Questions

Neckties Through the Ages Introduction 210 B.C. China's First Emperor 113 A.D. Did Romans Wear Ties? 17th Century Croatian Cravats for the King of France Cravats Go to England Real Men Wear Lace 18th Century Cowboy Bandannas from India Sailing the Seven Seas 19th Century Business Suit Takes Shape Cambridge & Oxford School Ties Ties Fit for Officers and Gentlemen Bow Ties Center Stage A Tie Singing Dixie Lord Byron's Legacy Women Tie the Knot, Too! 20th Century Paris Presents Designer Ties Celebrities & Rock Stars Ascots Cross Finish Line Bolo: The Tie That Won the West Turtleneck: The Anti-Tie Related Links Knotty Questions How Wide Should You Tie? From Brooches to Pins A First Class Tie Care for Your Tie

Although contemporary ties come in all sorts of styles, there are relatively few knots in common use today. This is a far cry from Beau Brummell's day, when fashion manuals illustrated 32 ways to tie a cravat. In addition, gentlemen would often improvise their own knots.

The four-in-hand knot is the virtually standard in the United States. The more complex windsor (invented by the Duke of Windsor), and the half Windsor, are more popular in Europe and South America.

The knot should not be so large as to spread out the collar, nor should it be so tiny that it can hardly be seen.

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