Neckties Through the Ages—Knotty Questions
Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff 
Knotty Questions
by David Johnson |
| 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 |
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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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