How the word 'cravat' came from the battlefields of 17th century Europe
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- The cravat, a voluminous neckscarf linked to luxury and historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and Cary Grant, traces its origins to 17th century European battlefields, particularly the Thirty Years' War.
- Croatian mercenaries, known for their fierce fighting, wore distinctive red scarves that inspired the French term "cravate," with King Louis XIV popularizing the fashion across Europe.
- The modern necktie evolved in the 19th century alongside industrial bourgeois society, becoming a symbol of professionalism and personal expression, with the current form patented in New York in the 1920s by Jesse Langsdorf.
- Neckties today reflect changing fashion trends and social dynamics, with materials like polyester making them more affordable post-World War
