The Cravat

The cravat is a neckband, the forerunner of the modern tailored necktie and bow tie, originating from the 1630s.

Like most men's fashions between the 17th century and World War I, it was of military origin. In the reign of Louis XIII of France, Croatian mercenaries were enlisted into a regiment supporting the King and Cardinal Richelieu against the Duc de Guise and the Queen Mother, Marie de Medici.

The traditional Croat military kit aroused Parisian curiosity about the unusual, picturesque scarves distinctively knotted at the Croats' necks. The cloths that were used, ranged from the coarse cloths of enlisted soldiers, to the fine linens and silks of the officers.

The sartorial word "cravat" derives from the French "cravate," a corrupt French pronunciation of "Croat" — in Croatian, "Hr̀vāt".