History and Tradition of Necktie

Neckties have long been associated with Father's Day celebrations. But how did they come to be so?

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The origins of the word "necktie" lie in the word "tie" which possibly came from Proto-Germanic into usage in the Old English language in circa 800 as "teah", "teag" or "teagum". It is not known whether the necktie, as we know it today, was worn in any form then. The earliest use of necktie can be traced back to the time of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) when Croatian mercenaries in French service, wearing their traditional small, knotted neckerchiefs, aroused the interest of the Parisians. The new article of clothing soon initiated a fashion craze in Europe where both men and women wore pieces of fabric around their necks. The necktie has had a long history since.

The usage of the word "necktie", however, dates from around 1838 when it first hit the fashion scene as a narrow band of material worn around the collar (neck) of a shirt and tied in front. During 1800-1850, there was much interest in the way to tie a proper cravat and this led to a series of publications. This began with "Neckclothitania", a book that contained instructions and illustrations on how to tie 14 different cravats. It was also the first book to use the word ‘tie’ in association with neckwear.

The custom of gifting neckties on Father's Day in US and other Western countries began as early as 1920. It is difficult today to identify anyone particularly as the pioneer of this tradition. It is also not known why the neckties began to be held as a proper gift for the occasion. We can only conjecture that the necktie, which had been there already as a fashion item and steadily evolved for nearly a century, begun to be looked upon during this period as a classic gift for a man. Around 1920, neckties started appearing on the earliest Father's Day greeting cards and retailers sniffed a golden opportunity in this, suggesting this as a great practical gift. And since then the Necktie has been the most popular Father's Day Gift with children vying to gift the most beautiful and stylish tie to their dad every year. And gift sellers make the most of this traditional and emotional attachment by putting their workmanship to good use, infusing newer designs and introducing latest styles into the much loved neck cloth during Father's Day.

Over the years, several other gifts have become popular with new generations of children looking for other interesting and innovative products to present their dads. Hence, various gifts have been introduced into the market for Father's Day. However, neckties still occupy their place right at the top of the list of shoppers of Father's Day gifts. Time has not been able to reduce the appeal of neckties among the masses. Though children get other gifts for their dad, the necktie is one of their must-buy items for Father's Day.

This is because the tie has been a Father's Day gift for so long that it brings with it an element of nostalgia for fathers. Many dads, till date, eagerly look forward to receiving a special new tie as a loving gift from their children. And many people, who swear by tradition, still love to gift ties on Fathers Day. Even today, most Western countries mark a necktie as the most classic, conventional and sentimental of all Father's Day gifts. Just as flowers have been with Mother's Day, neckties too have been associated with Father's Day for so long that many people consider it as a symbolic representation of the special day. This classic little neck cloth can even be safely proclaimed to be the unofficially official Father's Day Gift.

Today, with the world turning fast into a global village, the necktie as a Father's Day Gift is gaining fame across the world.

Popularity of Silk Ties

Several types of ties are gifted on Father's Day but the one that stands out is the silk one. Silk ties are highly in demand as a Father's Day gift. It is not difficult to see the reason. Silk ties make a classic fashion statement and have an unmistakable sheen that exudes luxury. Besides, these are extremely impressive, come in pretty designs and are within the purchase power of children. The silk ties go well with sophisticated attires and are considered the best accessory to a business suit.

Before you buy :

Here are some things to consider before you buy a necktie for dad:

1. Always keep in mind the preference and taste of your father. It is the most important criteria, not only for your necktie, but anything that you want to present your dad.
   
   
2. Think over whether the tie would go with his personality. Many fashion conscious people feel that ties reflect a wearer's personality. If your dad is of a reserved nature, pick up a tie that is sober, elegant and businesslike. For a slightly introvert personality, it is advisable not to go into experiments and choose a traditional one. Trendy and colorful pieces would go with a cheerful, outgoing nature.
   
   
3. Last but not the least; don't forget your dad's job profile and social life. It is extremely important to keep in mind the nature of your father's job, his daily social activity and the kind of shirts or suits he wears before selecting a tie.
   

Standards for a good tie :

Before you grab that pretty piece of neck cloth for your dad, see that it meets these standards:

1. Assure that the inner side of the tie is lined with a firm substance, to give shape to the body of the tie. Also check for a standard length of about 52 to 58 inches.
    
2. Examine thoroughly for any loose threads. While buying a tie of superior quality, make sure that it is properly lined with wool or some similar substance.
    
3. If you purchase a silk tie for your father, make sure that the texture is smooth to touch.

Tips on Tie Keeping

Necktie, being the number one gift for Father's Day, has a lot of sentiments attached to it. It is something that fathers cherish and children value a lot. Here are some tips to keep ties as new as the day you bought it and retain sweet memories of the time alive for a long long time.

1. To store expensive ties, spend a few bucks on a tie rack.
   
   
2. Silk ties should best be cleaned by professionals only. Remember, natural silk is a very delicate material and so, needs special care.
   
   
3. As tie tacks puncture the material by design, it is advisable to keep silk ties in check by non-invasive tie clips only.
   
   
4. Never iron a wrinkled silk tie, for any contact with hot iron can instantly damage its fabric.
   
   
5. Expensive ties stained by food should be treated immediately with an approved spot remover. It is difficult to clean the stain once it sets on the fabric.