Believe it or not, ties may be the oldest part of a man‘s wardrobe, having existed for thousands of years in one form or another. Knotted scarves can be seen on life-size terra-cotta warriors in China dating from the third century B.C. Some say that ancient Roman orators used ties to keep their vocal chords warm when they spoke in their cold marble chambers.

But it‘s certain that the modern idea of a cravat began to develop in the 17th century, during the Thirty Years War. France recruited legions of mercenary soldiers, among them Croatians who were distinguished by their colorful kerchiefs. The look was adopted by French soldiers, made its way to the court of Louis XIV, and by 1650 had spread across Europe. During the 1800s, neck scarves became long and narrow, and popular methods of tying them (the ascot, for example) started to develop. The tie as we know it today took shape when the industrial revolution created a new class of office workers.

In 1924, Jesse Langsdorf patented the modern tie, designed to elongate the silhouette and draw the beholder‘s focus up to the wearer‘s face.

From Ralph Lauren.