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:
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.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- To store expensive ties, spend a few bucks on a tie rack.
- Silk ties should best be cleaned by professionals only. Remember,
natural silk is a very delicate material and so, needs special care.
- As tie tacks puncture the material by design, it is advisable to keep
silk ties in check by non-invasive tie clips only.
- Never iron a wrinkled silk tie, for any contact with hot iron can
instantly damage its fabric.
- 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.