The History of the Tie

Portrait of Honore de Balzac (1799-1850), unknown artist, c. 1840

Why It Still Means Something

The tie is one of the few items of clothing that has never really gone out of fashion. Styles change, silhouettes move on, but the tie remains.

It's worn for times when you want to feel sharp and confident. I still feel that every time I put mine on.

Portrait of Louis XIV of France, Claude Lefèbvre, c. 1665-1670

From Battlefield to Cravat

The story of the tie begins far from tailoring rooms and racecourses. In the 17th century, Croatian soldiers wore knotted neckcloths to fasten their shirts while on campaign.

The French took notice. The style was adopted by Parisian society, refined, and renamed the cravat, a nod to its Croatian roots. What began as military necessity quickly became a symbol of status and elegance. The tie had made its first transition, from function to statement.

Ritual and Refinement

As menswear evolved, the cravat was gradually simplified. What began as a wide, folded neckcloth became narrower and longer, shaped to sit neatly beneath tailored jackets.

How it was tied mattered; so much so that manuals were written detailing the correct knots. The act of tying a tie became a ritual in itself.

Clement Attlee, 1950

Power, Politics, and Presence

Throughout the 20th century, the tie became closely associated with authority. Worn by politicians, business leaders, and decision-makers, it became visual shorthand for credibility.

Just as importantly, choosing not to wear a tie became its own statement. The tie has always carried meaning, whether worn or deliberately left behind. It reflects how seriously you take the moment in front of you.

Chris Eubank at a press conference in the early 90s, © Mirrorpix

Sport, Ceremony, and Belonging

Beyond offices and boardrooms, the tie has long played a role in sport and ceremony. Boxers wear them to press conferences ahead of the biggest fights of their careers. Rugby players are presented with team ties as symbols of pride and unity. Club ties mark belonging, progress, and shared history.

In horse racing, the tie is woven into the fabric of the sport. From owners' enclosures to race-day rituals, it represents tradition and respect for the occasion.

The Tie Today

Today, the tie is no longer compulsory… and that's exactly why it matters more than ever.

Wearing one is a decision. A choice to show up for yourself and for the occasion.

The tie has survived centuries because it means something. And when worn with intention, it always will.