Hermes wants women in chic neckties

MANILA, Philippines - Hermes is simply looking back at history when it designs outfits for women with the necktie or cravat  as a focal point.

The Chinese and Russians tied  pieces of cloth as adornment around the neck in the early centuries. The necktie got a fashion boost when the Parisians noticed it during the Thirty Years War (1618-1648), when Croatian soldiers wore knotted neck kerchiefs.

The term “cravat,” in fact, comes from the Croatian word hrvati and French word for Croates. It became a craze then for both men and women in Europe to tie pieces of fabric around the neck. International Necktie Day is celebrated every Oct. 18 not only in Croatia but also in various cities around the world, including Tokyo and Sydney.

Variations of the cravat have come and gone. In 1715, the stock — a small piece of muslin folded into a narrow band wound a few times around the neck — became fashionable. In the 1850s, the scarf or bandanna became popular. The Industrial Revolution led to the creation of an easier to use necktie — the modern necktie as we know it, using the so-called “four-in-hand” knot. There was also the Ascot tie which had wide flaps crossed and pinned together on the chest.

In the 1920s, loud, flamboyant ties — as thick as four inches — became in vogue till the 1950s. It was Britain which went for stripes since the 1920s, with necktie stripes running from the left shoulder down to the right side — to come from a person’s heart down to his right sword hand.

It was Esquire magazine that popularized the so-called Mister T necktie — a thinner tie that went with tapered suits and slimmer lapels. That necktie became even thinner — one inch — by the 1960s when dark, solid ties were fashionable. This is the tie currently favored by young, fashionable men.

In the modern world, women wear the pants — as well as ties — so fashionably. Here are some pieces from Hermes’ autumn-winter 2012 collection for women who want to be chicly tied by the neck.

In the Philippines, Hermes is exclusively available at its boutique in Greenbelt 4, Ayala Center, Makati.