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The Bizarre Origin Of The Modern Necktie
From the necks of mercenaries to the necks of grooms
If you take a poll in a room full of modern men about whether or not they enjoy wearing a standard necktie, you are likely to get a poor response. Neckties are a common part of formal attire around the world, but few people enjoy wearing them. Neckties are uncomfortable, they get in the way, and they have an uncanny ability to attract stains and tears even when you are trying to be as careful as possible. The obvious question is, if no one really likes the necktie, why are we all subjected to wearing one?
The necktie has been popular for centuries. They have been donned by wealthy businessmen, fashionable citizens, and world leaders for hundreds of years. But where did the necktie come from?
The answer lies in the most unusual of places — the necks of mercenaries fighting in the Thirty Years’ War.
Rise Of The Fashionable Croat Mercenary
In 1625, the first regiment of Croat (or Cravat) mercenaries was founded in Europe. The Croats were bands of organized cavalry that bid out their services to the…
