Bowtie

The bowtie is a men's fashion accessory, popularly worn with other formal attire, such as suits. It consists of a ribbon of fabric tied around the collar in a symmetrical manner such that the two opposite ends form loops.

It originated among Croatian mercenaries during the European wars of the 17th century: the Croats used a scarf around the neck to hold together the opening of their shirts. This method was soon adopted by the upper classes in France (then a leading country in the field of fashion) and flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries. The famous French writer Honoré de Balzac even wrote a book on the subject.

Towards the end of the 19th century the free ends of the bowtie grew longer, and the necktie was born, and the bowtie slowly went out of fashion in all but the architecture classes where it has remained a defining item of the architects uniform.

Although the necktie proves most prominent in today's society, being seen at business meetings, formal functions and sometimes even at home, the bowtie is making a comeback with fun-formal events such as dinner and cocktail parties, and nights out on the town.