Neckties Through the Ages | Determining a First Class Tie

2,000 Years of the Necktie
Determining a First Class Tie

by David Johnson

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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

In the 19th century, silk ties were made of a single piece of silk and folded seven ways to provide thickness. Today, ties are made of three individual pieces of the same material and derive their thickness from an inner lining. The higher the wool content, the better the tie.
Another clue to a high-class tie is to turn it over and examine the back. A stitch adjoining the two sides of the inverted "v" should be visible. Called the bar tack, this helps maintain the tie's shape.

In addition, if you open the back of the tie up as far as possible, a loose black thread should be visible. This is called the slip stitch. The tie moves along this thread while retaining its shape when it is wrapped around your neck. If you pull on the slip stitch, the tie should gather. This is the mark of a handmade, quality tie.

RELATED LINKS Knotty Questions How Wide Should You Tie? From Brooches to Pins A First Class Tie Care for Your Tie

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