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When Were Bow Ties Invented?

The origin of the bow tie dates back to a particular military unit that fought in the Thirty Years War of the 1600s. Despite the unit consisting of men from numerous Eastern European countries, the soldiers were commonly known as the Croats, Crabats or, in Serbian, Hravat.

The battle dress the Croats proudly wore was remarkable - fur hats, long red or black cloaks, and scarves tied at the neck. The rank and file wore scarves made from coarse fabric while the officers' scarves were silk or cotton.

From the Battle Field to Fashion Accessory

Perhaps the scarves served a function, keeping shirts closed or contributing to hygiene. Maybe they were primarily symbolic - safeguarding the neck during battle. Or perhaps they were sentimental tokens of love.

Whatever their purpose - the scarves made an impression. Following the soldiers' service in France under the Royal Cravates regiment, the French took the accessory into high society where it was, appropriately, called la cravate.

Some argue that the cravat led to the necktie and then the bow tie. Others say it was the opposite - that the Croat fashion was first tied into a bow, and later lengthened into the necktie. Either way, Croatians are intensely proud of their association with the cravat. In 2008, the Croatian parliament declared October 18 as annual Cravat Day.

When Did The Bow Tie Become Popular?

Adornment at the neck remained a staple in menswear for more than two centuries. But it wasn't until the 1800s that the bow tie as we know it today became popular.

Bow ties soon became the "it" accessory, and by the time the 20s roared into history, they served as a signature piece for people of all persuasions - from Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplain, to Marlene Dietrich and Frank Sinatra.

Each bow tie wearer of the time made the accessory their own, experimenting with fabrics, knots, and complementary accessories. In the 30s, the single end bow tie became top choice for the most formal of events, and the standard bow tie marched on, boldly boasting its day-to-day elegance and versatility.

The Bow Tie Today

More than three centuries since its first appearance, and a hundred strong in its modern-day iteration, the bow tie is clearly here to stay.

Today's bow tie enthusiasts wear their bows to events both formal and casual, some following bow tie rules to the letter and others blazing a fashion trail of their own.