History of the tie as a fashion accessory  

Do you know the origins of this iconic fashion accessory?

Since ancient times, men have had this unconscious fascination for ties, as well as the attraction they exert on women... In fact, thanks to an optical effect, the man who wears it appears more elegant and slender. But originally the tie had a very different functionality.

It seems that the first ties already existed at the time of the ancient Egyptians when, during funeral rites, small strips of colored cloth were knotted around the necks of the deceased. This was done in order to help the loved ones to look good in the meeting with the kingdom of the afterlife and to convince the gods to have clemency in view of the passage to a better life.

Equally fascinating is the origin that can be traced back to the Roman world: the legionaries always forced to long journeys and hardships, wore around the neck a strip of cloth, to be used as protection for the mouth and throat. This protection greatly helped the soldiers to fight off dust and insects encountered while crossing fields and dirt roads.

The birth of the term tie

Let's try to help you with a really simple clue: the origin of this word comes from French where it is called "cravate". Doesn't this pronunciation remind you of the name of another European nation not too far from our Italian borders? Yes, exactly! According to the "official" origins, it is supposed to be a deformation of the French word "croate".

In fact, it was Croatian mercenaries hired by King Louis XIV of France for the Thirty Years' War (1618 - 1648), who brought to the forefront of the French nobility, and in the following decades throughout Europe, this fashion accessory now become a symbol of the business world. It was a real stroke of lightning for King Louis XIV who, since he was a child, began to wear it and then spread this new fashion accessory among the French and European nobility.

Considered as the most beautiful army of the period, the Croats fascinated the world with their uniform: depending on the degrees of value represented in battle, their necklace could be made of muslin, cotton and for the highest representatives with the most valuable material, silk.

Its main function remained that of protection from dust and the various pitfalls of travel but also represented a kind of "symbol of fidelity" given by wives to their husbands. Unfortunately, not knowing when and if they would return from one of the many wars, this handkerchief knotted around the neck helped to keep alive the memory of love and therefore underlined fidelity as a moral virtue of the couple.

The modern 3-part tie

The fashion of this refined accessory continued its evolution during the decades arriving towards 1850 to Macclefied, in the English Surrey where the tie begins to distinguish itself more as an accessory of elegance than of protection. The ties of Macclefield (defined by many historians as the English Como of the 19th century) were however shorter and wider than the current ones.

The real revolution took place in 1926, when Jesse Langsdorf, a New York inventor, had the idea of cutting the fabric of the tie diagonally, making it in three parts. More elastic, the modern tie sees the light of day. Thanks to these decisive changes, the tie definitively assumed its typical character as an elegant fashion accessory ideal for people who want to stand out.

The ties Aquadulza Experience in 100% Silk and Made in Como tell all this evolution: the colored tail that refers to the legacy with the territory, the classic regimental style, the more refined Paisley or unlined ties that highlight the hand hemming 100% Made in Como. Did you find already your favorite style? Do not hesitate to contact us for advice or to see how your tie is handmade by our artisans.

Aquadulza is not just a brand... Aquadulza is an experience!