For The Child
June 05, 2007

A Tie Is Not Just A Tie–its cultural history!

Who knew that giving Dad a tie on Father's Day was giving him a piece of history! Find out what your dad has in common with Chinese Emperor Shih Huan Ti and Roman Emperor Trajan.

If you are one of the millions of Americans lamenting the fact that you will be giving Dad yet another neck tie on June 17th-relax! Just tell him that it isn't just a tie-it's a piece of cultural history!

For thousands of years ties have been used to proclaim status, occupation, and even identity, as well as allegiance to a group or cause, often military. Neckwear has also had utilitarian purposes—to protect the neck or hide buttons on a shirt.

The earliest known version of the tie was found in the mausoleum of China's first emperor, Shih Huan Ti. Shih Huan Ti's was buried in 210, BCE along with an army of 7,500 life-size terra cotta soldiers. Each soldier is different–with one exception–they are all wearing neck cloths!

Not to be outdone, the Roman Emperor Trajan built a marble tower in 113 CE that included 2,500 realistic figures who are wearing--guess what-three different kinds of neck ties. This neck ware included shorter versions of today's ties, ascots and bandanas.

Fast-forward to Louis IV and the middle of the 17th century when Louis coveted the silk 'kerchief' worn by Croatian mercenaries. Not only did the elite members of Louis' court adopt this fashion, ordinary members of the military and all levels of society copied Louis and the Court.

When King Charles II returned to England in 1660, he imported the pleasures of European courts-and suddenly, the tie (or cravat) was all the rage for upper class men. Working class men, however, had another role model-a boxer name Jem Belcher. He is credited with starting the bandana craze in England-a trend that had already taken hold in the Colonies! Even in the 17th and 18th centuries, Americans had a more casual and practical view of fashion than their European counterparts.

But, the British and Americans did not invent the bandana--the word 'bandana' is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning tying and bandanas were first imported from India in the 1700's. American cowboys soon discovered that the bandana was an excellent way to keep prairie dust out of their faces and made them their own. To this day, the bandana is an integral part of Western style in the United States.

But, today's version of the neck tie seems to have originated with Beau Brummell, who shook off foppish 18th fashions for a leaner, more conservative look-which is still favored today-think about the dark business suit, white shirt and tie. Again, the tie became an equalizer between upper and lower classes as everyone could easily imitate upper class fashion.

Americans were slow to pick up on this new 'look'-primarily because it was too hot in the US to wear a tie. The first American tie was the 'plantation tie' worn with a low collared shirt.

Designer ties appeared worldwide in the 1920's based on designs from popular art movements like Cubism and from women's clothing. Perhaps that is why women buy over 80% of all the ties purchased in the US and why ties are displayed in close proximity to perfume and cosmetics counters.

So, when you give Dad a tie on June 21st, you aren't just giving him a tie. You are giving him wearable cultural history! You can even make him an Emperor or King for a day!

Now, that's a tie!