Happy Father's Day
Like them or not, neckties are the Father's Day gift. Americans buy a staggering 100 million ties. That's roughly one tie for every male over the age of 20 in the United States.
Male Identity
Men's neckwear has been made of every kind of material: silk, cotton, wool, leather, rope, string, lace, linen, rayon, and polyester. And whether they were called cravats, jabots, bandannas, bolos, ascots, bootlaces, bows, butterflies, kerchiefs, or simply ties, neckties have been closely linked to the male ego.
Ties have been used to proclaim status, occupation, and even identity, as well as allegiance to a group or cause, often military. Neckwear has also had utilitarian purposes—to protect the neck or hide buttons on a shirt.
The earliest known version of the necktie was worn by Shih Huan Ti, China's first emperor, Shih Huang Ti, who was buried in 210 B.C. Desperately afraid of death, the emperor wanted to slaughter an entire to army to accompany him into the next world. His advisers ultimately persuaded him to take life-size replicas of the soldiers instead. Each figure was different - except in one respect: all wore neck cloths. Since silk was a great luxury, the cloths could indicate the ultimate honor Shih Huang Ti bestowed on his soldiers; they were trusted enough to guard him until the end of time. Did Romans Wear Ties?
Great Father's Day Gift: Paul Fredrick Neckties!
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