Sunday, November 22, 2015

My Favorite Necktie Today - The Marilyn Monroe Postage Stamp Tie

Marilyn Monroe Postage Stamp Necktie
"We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle," Marilyn Monroe

The lady said it so, and what better way to shine then wearing a fabulous novelty necktie illustrating the Marilyn Monroe U.S. Postage Stamp. She is without question the sexiest woman to ever walk on Earth.  It is more than 63 years that she was found dead in her Los Angeles home at the very youthful age of 36 however, she is still the very much the sensation that she became.  A "sex" symbol surely, though considered a Goddess my men young and old to this day.

Marilyn Monroe on the cover of
the first issue of 'Playboy'
In 1953 Hugh Hefner purchased the nude photos of Monroe taken years earlier for $500 that graced the cover of the first issue of Playboy and the "Sweetheart" spread ( later to be called "Playmate" of the month ). She had been paid only $50 for that photo shoot.  Not unlike every man to ever live, he has always been obsessed with her, although they never met. She had a charisma that is as uncommon as possible, absolutely intoxicating.

On June 1, 1995, The U.S. Postal Service released the first of a series of Hollywood Stars Stamps.  The debut illustrated Marilyn Monroe in an iconic pose with her signature across the top. In honor of what would have been her 69th birthday 400 million copies were.  The 32 cent stamp was designed by award-winning artist Michael Deas. 


Marilyn Monroe
Postage Stamp
Our post in April 2011 Marilyn Monroe Sexy Ties - A brief biography including many note-worthy quotes by her and by those who loved her.

A Genius and a Beauty
“This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember sisters, make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And baby, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.” Marilyn Monroe

Click here to buy the licensed collector Marilyn Monroe Postage Stamp necktie

Click to view the YouTube Documentary 
Marilyn Monroe - The Mortal Goddess

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

The Beatles Necktie - My Favorite Tie Today

The Beatles White Album Tie
My favorite Beatles tie is The White Album Tie partly because my favorite Beatles Song is Revolution.  

Revolution was written by John Lennon in 1968 in two versions; a hard rock version which was released on the B side of the single Hey Jude, and as a slower blues version titled Revolution 1.  The slower version of Revolution was released on the Double Album - commonly known as The White Album.  A third version  Revolution 9 was also included on the White Album.

The single jacket for
Hey Jude - Revolution 
Inspired by the Vietnam War political protests which apparently Lennon saw with some doubt as expressed in his lyrics, "But when you talk about destruction, Don't you know that you can count me out."  A Revolution video was broadcast by the BBC on Sept.19 1968 - about a month later on Oct.13 Revolution was broadcast on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
Click to buy The Beatles White Album Necktie
Watch the video from the screening on the Smothers Brother's Show

The Beatles Revolution
You say you want a revolution
Well, you know We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be all right?
All right, all right
You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're all doing what we can
But if you want money
For people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be all right?
All right, all right
You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free you mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be all right?
All right, all right!
All right, all right, all right!
All right, all right, all right!
All right, all right!



Saturday, October 31, 2015

Those Really Cool Novelty Ties

A cool guy wearing a Superman Tie
What kind of man would wear a Spiderman necktie? 

Maybe he doesn't want to wear a tie but the boss said he has to or he isn't employed.  So he chooses to wear a tie that illustrates his interest in superheroes, or wildlife and that's the solution. Conversation or novelty ties are welcomed by men who  do not want to wear a traditional conservative necktie.  It is a means of being a fashion rebel or sorts.  To be individual - the man who just does not want to be a dressed like most other men.  

For restaurants the food theme neckties like Tabasco Ties or coffee themes make the perfect uniform.  Maybe a young man would rather wear a Star Wars necktie to the prom to be different. Some guys will only wear certain themes which becomes a style trademark like sports themes that they are quite popular for being so consistent in such unique fashion accessorizing.  Women who work at the Cheese Cake Factory or IHop are required to wear ties and they’ll be very stylish with a Mickey Moose, Looney Tunes or maybe a Marilyn Monroe tie.  Believe it or not the right one will earn better tips.
Cheese Cake Factory Waitress
and James Dean Tie 

In the past these fun ties were easy to find.  J.C. Penny’s, Sears, and other department stores offered them as did specially retailers and mall kiosks.  Up until 2000 there was no problem finding neckties that were for the most part unusual.  That changed when the casual dress phenomenon caused the big department stores to cut back on neck wear as valuable shelf and floor space commanded much more popular apparel. Without the big chain retailers stocking inventory the manufacturers and designers just could not produce the collections that in many cases demanded royalties.  Then came the economic troubles of 2008 which caused great reservations in spending.  That was the final blow for the hold-outs which saw the end to almost all novelty theme neckties.

Now that they are collector items where does a man find the ties that they are so fond of.  The answer s the Internet as a few web retailers had made a niche for themselves and for now at least there are some sites with many novelty ties for sale.   Neckties are the number one Christmas gift for men and at least for many like teachers or a basketball coach, novelty neckties make a perfect gift.

Collector Novelty Ties at www.nicetiestore.com/

Conversation Neckties

Monday, October 26, 2015

My Favorite Tie Today - Surf's Up Hawaiian Necktie

Hawaiian Surfing Necktie
Surfs Up!  Those were the good old days when all I had to worry about was if I had wax for my surfboard.

In the 70's my entire life was dictated by one thing, surfing.  That is why this killer Hawaiian Surfing Tie is my favorite tie today.  Besides having wax for my surfboard there were three other details that had to have my attention.  First and foremost there had to be surf. In Southern California that is almost a given with some exception.

A swell traverses the ocean thousands of miles finally reaching a 
continental shelf or island and for a minute or two creates a 
fascinating display that often becomes the thrill seeker's ride 
on a plastic hydrosphere; the surfboard and the surfer
The were two other very important things that ruled my life.  The wind could really mess up my day if it was on shore opposed to being off shore. The best waves to ride are what surfers call glassy - smooth with great form.

Usually in the early morning the wind is light and almost always off shore until around noon unless there was some strange weather system. Then late in the afternoon if the wind did come on shore there was the afternoon "glass off."  That was usually around 2 hours before sunset which would mean a morning surf session and and afternoon surf session.

The other very important factor was the tide.  Depending on if it was low or high, the tide would determine where I would venture into the Pacific to ride some waves.  Surf breaks are dependent on swell direction and the bottom or sea floor; a reef , sand bar, an underwater shelf, an angled shoreline or a point that would oppose the swell direction. A high or low tide will favor surf depending on the contour of what's below the surface.

As swells reach the shore line the lower portion of the wave starts to drag on the bottom which creates a vertical steepening of the waves amplitude or height and the wave length or the distance between waves.  The velocity of the wave decreases as the effect of the drag on the lower part of the wave as the waters depth becomes shallower.  If there is off shore wind then the upper part of the wave experiences drag by the resistance of air turbulence.  The wave radically changes as it reaches the shallows eventually cresting and spilling over creating ride-able surf. On a great break the wave will take a distinctive form breaking from in one direction or perhaps peaking and breaking in two opposite directions; rights, lefts, or peaks.

The best surf breaks are the result of waves that are moving with great velocity in deep water and abruptly reach a shallow reef, sand bar or rocky bottom.  That sudden drag on the bottom or sea floor causes a loss of velocity changing the wave amplitude ( height of the wave from crest to half way to the trough ) and wave length ( the distance between waves ).  This radical distortion of the waves physical properties changes its shape creating a casting out of the excess energy that can no longer contain the wave amplitude creating a tubular or hollow area as the eventual cresting and breaking signifies the collapse of the wave and the displacing of its energy in the form of "white water" or turbulence that is all that remains of the wave as it dissipates towards the shore.  The initial cresting and breaking of the wave is the point that the surfer lives for. The experienced surfer knows how to be in the right spot at the right time to catch that perfect wave and very much like ballet uses the energy that is displaced to surf with individual expression.  To realize how sensational surfing is make sure to watch the HD BBC Video below.

The anatomy of an ocean wave
When a wave crests the the surfer and surfboard are propelled towards the shore by means of gravity and the failure to resist the energy in the wave. The gliding of the surfboard on the waves surface is aerodynamic hydroplaning that is affected by lift and drag and influenced by the surfer weighting and un-weighting that leverages the direction of the surfboard. The surfer uses the surfboard fin on the bottom of the board that creates drag and as well stabilizes the surfboard causing it to track similar to an airplanes elevated fin that causes drag affecting the direction of movement.  The boards foiled shaped edges further control the direction of the surfboard while the surfer compensates for gravity, the force of the breaking and depreciating wave length or velocity and the changing wave amplitude or shape in addition to drag caused by the water rushing up the surfs face as the wave passes through the water or the energy that is being displaced by the crest of the wave or the spilling over energy - in the form water collapsing.

The experienced surfer harnesses what Newtons Third Law of Physics explains - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  The modern surfboard is basically a hydrodynamic plastic foil that has enough buoyancy to float while the surfer alters the dynamic of how the surfboard reacts to the changing shape of the waves amplitude or face and height of the wave and the waves length or trough and the wave velocity.

Wave riding is no easy thing to master.  Just learning how to paddle the surfboard and staying balanced takes getting accustomed to let alone how to effectively get past the breaking waves to reach the line up, ( where the waves begin breaking ).  It takes a great deal of time to become aware of how waves break, how to catch a wave and where to catch it.  Imagine a downhill ski racer trying to deal with the ever changing shape and contour of the mountain while staying balanced on a surface that is not still and not falling off - there is no straps or foot holds.  One thing is certain; when you catch your first wave even if you fall off quickly you'll be hooked.  From than on it is just practice and figuring out how to steer the surfboard while reading the shape of the wave that is a head. Developing reflexes and the skills needed to become a master of surf beyond novice takes a lot of trial and error.    

When a surfer paddles out to the line up the other world and all the toils of life in this crazy Industrial Age - driven by Neo Classical Economics does not exist. Being one with nature is the only way to illustrate the feeling of surfing, waiting for the next wave in a very peaceful and non stressful state.  I remember vividly a school of about six dolphins were surfing a wave with me while I surfed alone at Beacons in Leucadia California in light rain riding waves about head high.  I was so careful not to get too close but they were playing with me - real masters of surf - I was feeling like one of "The Golden Ones" what a friend often said; he coined the phrase describing our crew of Miami Bred Surfers.

Unfortunately the counter culture and life style of surfing conflicted with my desire to be a professional photographer.  When I look back now I deeply regret abandoning surfing.  I guess I could start again, however it takes a lot of strength and stamina to paddle out to the "line up" let alone paddling into position to catch the waves at the perfect sweet spot.



Above sequence image: That is me surfing Apple Bay in Tortola the British Virgin Islands in 1978.  Apple Bay was cake walk compared to Cane Garden Bay which was a very testing point break that broke in less than 12 inches of water on a razor sharp coral reef just about five yards or so from rock shore line.  This was the perfect place to mount a cannon to fend off Pirates - that citadel is still there today. By the way I mastered Gun Point at Cane Garden Bay which was a 100 yard line drive attack that was unforgiving. Getting tubed was un-avoidable if you were to catch that wave almost too far back which I did every time like Muhammad Ali would have done "floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee."  Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the travel aspect of the surfer life style.


Necktie Label - House of Stoke by Joseph Mackie
Now, about that Hawaiian Surf Board Tie. When I was selling ties at the Too Sexie Tie Cart at the Irvine Spectrum Center, Joseph Mackie, a really crazy guy found my kiosk and sold me hundred and hundreds of custom Hawaiian Ties that he made from Hoffman Hawaiian shirt fabric bolt ends and remnants. It was such a novel idea that his Hawaiian necktie creations won the acclaim of Playboy Magazines top Christmas gift ideas in 1999, House of Stoke by Joseph Mackie.

So with all that said along with the scientific explanation of the dynamics of surfing it is rather easy to understand why this Surfing Necktie is my favorite tie today.  To view our collection of Joseph Mackie Hawaiian Print Ties please visit Nice Tie Store.



HD super slow motion video of big wave surfer Dylan Longbottom in a 12 foot monster barrel - the first shots of their kind ever recorded.  ( watch in HD )
About the program: 
$100,000 Camera Captures Slow Mo Surfing, From Underwater For the upcoming BBC nature series "South Pacific," filmmakers rigged a TyphoonHD4 to shoot above and underwater HD. Shooting a frame rate 20x the speed of normal HD  (I'm assuming that's somewhere around 480fps if the standard HD cam shoots at 24fps),  this camera/documentary was apparently the first to capture the underwater spiraling vortices of huge waves at such incredible quality. Cameraman/technician Rudi Diesel calls one moment in this clip "probably the best shot" of his life.



  

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

My Favorite Tie Today - Edvard Munch The Scream Art Necktie

Edvard Munch "The Scream" art necktie 
"The Scream" by Edvard Munch; what it means may surprise you. He felt something more than a hundred years ago that frightened him about our species and our world's future.     

"The Scream" art tie has always been one of my favorite art neckties, and one of my favorite paintings as well. I had always wondered what Edvard Munch was thinking when he created "The Scream." Was the character screaming because he was a spook or was he spooked because he saw a spook. It was that intriguing question that was the cause of my fondness of the artwork besides its sensational composition, unique impressionist style and a dynamic use of colors.

He was born in 1863 in the village of Adalsbruk Norway later moving to Christiania now called Oslo and the capital  His father was a military doctor which provided a low salary which caused conditions of poverty and stress for the family. Great tragedy struck when he was just five years old; his mother and favorite sister died from Tuberculosis. To cope with his anguish he started to draw and create artwork. As a young teen he began to paint with oils developing his remarkable style.  After one year studying engineering at a technical school he decided that he would be an artist enrolling in the Royal School of Art and Design of Christiania.

Edvard Munch
Early on he mastered portraiture, however some of his works were not fully appreciated being considered as extreme impressionism.  Influenced by Manet and later Vincent Van Gogh his style of painting was Naturalism and Impressionism. Entered as goal in his diary he wrote, "in my art I attempt to explain life and its meaning to myself."  

When he was asked about the Scream Munch remarked that when he was walking along a road in Oslo overlooking the Oslofjord at sunset he heard the scream of nature. He had become disillusioned about politics that he felt was allowing the degradation of the environment by the modernization of civilization and the irreversible harm that nature was being subjected to by man's careless ways of the industrial revolution.  He had become rebellious against the establishment and Neo-Classical-Economics which was considered an insulting description of the Industrial Age and the Industrial Age Banking System that regarded profit above all else especially the conservation of nature.  It is not such a stretch to conclude that "The Scream" was meant as a vanguard of what Munch had become so troubled about. He had become part of the Bohemian Movement at the turn of century.  Like many artists of the era he was disillusioned with his world.

Between 1893 and 1910 he created four versions of the work as both paintings and pastels giving all of them the title in German that was unmistakable "Der Schrei der Natur" ( The Scream of Nature ). Considered by art historians an icon of modern art "The Scream" may also be an icon of a political agenda that even to this day has not fully become understood or acknowledged.  He was not alone in his fear that the very existence of the human species would become endangered and all life of our planet could face extinction due to the revolution of the Industrial Age.

In his diary in an entry headed, Nice 22 January 1892, Munch described his inspiration for the image:  He exclaimed that he heard the scream of nature due to what he felt was the result of the irreversible harm caused by Industrialization.

"One evening I was walking along a path, the city was on one side and the fjord below. I felt tired and ill. I stopped and looked out over the fjord—the sun was setting, and the clouds turning blood red. I sensed a scream passing through nature; it seemed to me that I heard the scream. I painted this picture, painted the clouds as actual blood. The color shrieked. This became The Scream."

The Scream Masterpiece by Edvard Munch
The forth version of "The Scream," a pastel 1895 was sold for $119,922,600 at Sotherby's Impressionist and Modern Art auction on May 2, 2012 to financier Leon Black, the second highest price of an artwork sold at auction ever. For an artist that had been criticized and misunderstood like many other masters of the Impressionist Period his works have defined the era. He hated to part with his art work, calling them his children.

Art historians have said that it was emotion he wanted to depict. "It's not the chair that should be painted," he once wrote, "but what a person has felt at the sight of it." "The Scream" is just that and may become recognized as more than a sensational work of art with great emotion but a warning that a threatened nature's scream unheard and without care would one day become more of a cry.  In Norwegian is "The Skirk" translated as "The Scream" but in English "The Shriek" but has also been known as "The Cry."

Our civilization is facing the sixth Mass Extinction that has been recognized as at least a half a century in progress with a great acceleration taking place at present.   An abrupt climate change is very likely to occur within the next 5 - 25 years caused by run-away global warming, the result of an increase of green house gases like carbon due to the Industrial Revolution and the use of fossil fuels.

The rise in the average temperature has caused the Permafrost to melt in the Arctic which is on the verge of releasing hundreds of giga tons of Methane, a greenhouse gas hundreds of times more threatening then Carbon Dioxide.  The result will be average temperatures rising from 4 to 8 degrees above the period before Industrialization possibly by the middle of this century or sooner.  Sea levels will rise caused by the melting of the Arctic Ice Cap displacing billions of people followed by the loss of Habitat.

When you view Edvard Munch's mater piece "The Scream" consider that the screaming of nature that he felt may be "The Crying" of nature that the human species will hear within 35 years.  The potentially irreversible global climate changes that may cause the extinction of the human species in our life times is being predicted now.  In that case I would venture to say that "The Scream" has a priceless value and should our species survive, or if not; future intelligent life will value Munch's intuitive way of making an emotion of art a dynamic warning of unthinkable catastrophe - the Apocalypse of life, more over intelligent life on Earth most definitely a precious and rare occurrence in our Universe.  

Checkout Edvard Munch Art The Scream Tie at Nice Tie Store

Art History Online, Edvard Munch - The Scream (1893)

Wikipedia.org - Edvard Munch The Scream

Smithsonian.com - Edvard Munch: Beyond The Scream

Extinction Event - Global Warming - A special segment of “Last Hours,” the frightening reality of global climate change, narrated by Thom Hartmann and Leonardo DiCaprio.


     

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Not another Sexy Necktie Knot Lesson

Yes I am afraid so.   How to tie a tie with April.  




I retired April from the blog some years back and decided this evening that that decision may have been a bit rash.   She has a rather special way of teaching necktie knotting.  As she says, "Maybe your dad should have taught you how to tie ties, but today I will show you."   I can guarantee that your father would never have been able to teach you how to master necktie tying like April does.

As for anyone complaining about having to watch another sexy tie tying video - my advice is to go see a "shrink."   Frankly it is quite hard to imagine that anyone would want to complain about this tie tying video, never-the-less there will be one guy's wife or girlfriend that will be unhappy.  And that is simply - tough luck because the complaint department is out of town. It is not impossible to file such complaint but you have to go to Las Vegas to find the guy.  He has not been around for many years - like 20 or so.  It is a really long story but you can read a story about him here. What's the Difference Between the Men and the Boys?  

He won't be hard to find because he a a rather dapper gentleman who wears suits and ties religiously.  You will have a picture of him on the post I have referred you to.  Last I heard he is in Las Vegas and although there are a lot people in Las Vegas and a lot of dapper men wearing suits and ties there is only one Viking from Iceland named Thor Fredrickson there.   

He should not be so hard tio find - I understand he is very popular in Vegas and everyone who is anyone knows him.


Saturday, October 17, 2015

The Sexiest Necktie Knot Lesson Ever

Try to argue that neckties are not sexy - I dare you.



OK, maybe I tricked you but that is how convincing someone to watch another necktie knotting video is done.  Best of all you may learn to love ties after you learn how to tie a necktie as illustrated by this very sexy model.  

Learn To Tie a Tie

The Romantic Way to Tie a Tie - The Windsor

On this page, you will learn how to tie the Windsor tie knot using our easy to follow the diagram. Plus read the romantic story about the Duke of Windsor and why this fashionable tie knot is named after him. And we've included the Complete History of Neckties
The Duke of Windsor tying the tie  knot inadvertently named after him
The Duke of Windsor tying the tie 
knot inadvertently named after him


click here - The Romantic story of a king who gave up the Royal Throne for love - The Mystery of the Windsor Necktie Knot


Please review the easy diagram and instructions to master tying the Windsor Necktie Knot below.

When you tie this knot this way it goes on and off easy - no inner knot remains when you loosen this knot by carefully pulling the knot down the narrow tie length.  Step # 7 & 8 are going the opposite direction from how the Duke of Windsor demonstrated it in a 1936 photo sequence. That reverse of direction makes the difference and makes the Windsor Tie Knot a horrible task to master unless by accident you have made this tie knot the easy way as illustrated below.

The wide blade of the tie does all of the work.  Start by turning your collar up and drape the tie over your shirt and neck with the wide tie blade near your knee - either just below, just above or right at your knee cap.  This is the most important step as it is this calibration that determines how much length of wide blade of the tie you'll need where the end result will prove the correct length of the tie to complete the knot.

The Duke of Windsor tying his necktie named after him in a very confusing way so that non-
blue bloods would dare to look so dashing
This will take some practice to get it right as it will calibrate the length of the tie so the wide blade covers your waistband when you are finished. Everyone has a different size neck and torso so you will have to find the "sweet" spot to start your tie-tying.  That spot is where the wide tie blade is in relation to your knee.

The ties slip stitching is against your chest with the front or face of the tie showing. As mentioned you may need to practice several times so you are starting with the wide blade of the tie at the right place. Carefully fold the tie without twisting, tightening the wrapping tie length.  After the final step just draw the knot up to your collar while holding the narrow blade of the tie.  A little adjustment may be necessary to shape the knot into place and to possibly create the dimple in the tie just below the knot.

You are welcome to print the diagram for later use if you like, ( it is formatted to fit on 8.5X11 paper ). Tying ties is really not so hard if you know the easy way to do it. Our Windsor Tie Knot lesson is simple - with a little practice, you will be a pro at it. Your necktie knot should have an automatic symmetrical shape and a very sexy dimple in the length of the tie just below the knot.

The Easy Way To Tie The Windsor Necktie Knot Diagram
The Easy Way To Tie The Windsor Necktie Knot Diagram


“The apparel oft proclaims the man,"  William Shakespeare - poet, and dramatist,  from Hamlet - trending 1564 - 1616.“











Jeffrey Hunter
Nice Tie Store


  .. Google +     Jeffrey Hunter – Neckties by Nice Tie Store

Monday, September 28, 2015

A Special Bedspread Made With Lots of Love and Neckties

These neckties did not meet the grim fate of ending in Goodwill  - some special person had a better idea - a shirts and neckties quilt.


A really special necktie bedspread

After her father passed away a young lady received a very unique gift from her aunt. It was a few years after his passing due to a heart attack that his sister made this bedspread from shirts and ties that the departed had actually worn.

Made with great love and a heavy heart this quilt was sure to be cherished by a father's daughter.

Friday, September 25, 2015

What's the Difference Between the Men and the Boys?

Thor Fridriksson from Reykjavik Iceland - famous for networking and marketing.
This is the guy who got me in the necktie business.
The Men Wear Suits and Ties

Yes, it is that simple - well actually it used to be that simple. Case on point; this guy is a very dapper guy, but when he wears a suit and tie he is a very dapper "gentleman."  And that finishing touch is the icing on the cake of his entrepreneurial character surely separating from most.

Many years ago he sold a special clothes hanger to about 80% of the population of Iceland which was about 340,000 back then.  And he did this with some creative effort and a special secret weapon - he wore a suit and tie when he was pitching his clothes hanger.

Just like a stripper "Satasella"
 the - clothes fall down - hanger
 
One thing of interest was the fact that he converted the name of the multi clothes hanger into the Icelandic language which was quite remarkable. Icelandic is a language that has been preserved over eleven centuries almost exactly as spoken by the Norwegian Vikings that settled in the North Atlantic Island.  Not many new words have been accepted into Icelandic which is a stark difference compared to other languages. Shakespeare's work was written in English just a little over 400 years ago but his words are not easy to understand today by the English speaking.

The Vikings of Iceland are quite proud of their tradition of keeping their language from becoming spoiled.  Almost a matter of law scholars translate foreign words into similar words in Icelandic that curiously take on a new meaning - most surprisingly without causing much confusion.  For instance the name for telephone is "Simi" which is old Norwegian Viking for "line."

The name for the closet revolutionary clothes hanger in Iceland was carefully translated not to upset anyone. The name that he gave the multiple clothes hanger was "Satasella" which actually is "The Stripper" in English. A stroke of genius no less, that saucy name caught the attention of people, especially the Icelandic men. However, it was the dapper gentleman in the suit and tie that closed the deals over and over and over - about 270,000 times or so.

Reykjavik Iceland

Saturday, August 29, 2015

My Favorite Tie Today - The Amazing Spiderman Silk Tie

Spiderman Silk Necktie
The Amazing Spiderman Silk Necktie

This Marvel Comics tie is a collector item, no longer made.  We've often said that if you wear one of our Marvel Comics Superhero neckties you won't need super hero strength to catch all of the attention.

From the first issue by Marvel Comics featuring Spidy, "The Amazin Fantasy" in August of 1962, young men seeking adventure became entranced with the web crawling character. He was created as young man, Peter Parker by Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko.   Peter was an ordinary high school student much like his fans - a young man in school except this young man was bitten by a radioactive spider and acquired super hero powers.

This Marvel Superhero was easy to identify with.  As a teenager Parker struggled with adolescence like many young men but as Spiderman he had the ability to climb walls and shoot webs from his wrists.  Along with his super strength, his adventures as a crime fighter created the attraction the character received.

Spiderman Amazing Fantasy 1962
A comic book series was started called "The Amazing Spiderman" drawn by artist Jack Kirby.   With the great success of Spiderman further comic book monthly series were created; In 1972 "Marvel Team Up" featured Spiderman with other superheroes which was replaced by "Web of Spiderman" in 1985.  The Marvel Comics monthly, "Spiderman" launched in 1990 was written and drawn by Todd Mcfarland sold over 3 million copies a record at the time for comic book publishing.

Spiderman was to appear in Television Cartoon Series, featured in limited edition comic book series and eventually on the big screen which saw huge box office success, and even a Broadway Musical Production.  So after this short introduction of the history of Spiderman you should be very understanding why from all of our Marvel Comics Ties this Spiderman necktie is my favorite today.

Marvel Comics Spiderman 

This Marvel Comics Superhero tie is no longer made and impossible to find anywhere except Nice Tie Store.

click here Checkout This Spiderman tie and other Super Hero ties at Nice Tie Store

Friday, August 21, 2015

The Complete History of Neckties

The History of Fashion Neckties - From 221 B.C. to the Present


Regarding neckties, throughout history there have been random influences on fashion from left to right; A Terracotta Warrior, Leif Eriksson, Croatian Soldier, Beau Brummel, the Duke of Windsor, and Daniel Craig - James Bond 007


Nice Tie Store presents the story of neckties. Actually, the origin of neckties is not just fashion history; necktie history is part of world history.  This seemingly useless accessory of clothing that men either love or hate has taken quite a path through the ages.  Men's ties have evolved through the unique influences of political and social events that have affected men's fashion in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

What purpose does a necktie serve and how did it become part of men's apparel?  This is a question often asked by men and women, especially young men who are not so fond of tying a noose around their neck. You'll find the answer here in the Complete History of Neckties.  If you want the short and abbreviated answer to the question - the necktie is form of expression for a man. "Neckties satisfy modern man’s desire to dress in art,” Harry Anderson, American Magician, and actor. 

The history of neckties can be traced through modern civilization as a sort of evolution of men's apparel. Concerning evolution, this is not true but for fun, it is added here; around one hundred thousand B.C. a gorilla fashioned a crude necktie out of leaves and vines in hopes of successfully courting a wife.  He gets his bride and passes his ingenuity to a very great grandson who later invents the wheel a turning point in evolution. 

The necktie was invented in Croatia, or at least that is where a form or fashion of neck cloth tied as a necktie of sorts can be traced back in history as being widely used.  If you don't believe so then consider this fact; the word "Cravat" which is how they say necktie in most European languages and as well in Spanish on both sides of the Atlantic.  Historians trace the first recognized use of neck tied fabric as part of fashion attire being originated by Croatians.  The Croatian word "Croat," which also means the people of Croatia, was how languages illustrated and adapted the term to describe the article of dress that would become the modern necktie.
Modern day Croatians rein-act a military ceremony
celebrating their introduction of the necktie as
fashion
 in the 17th Century during the 30 year Religious 
War of Europe 

In fact, primitive man did adorn feathers and other forms of artistic display around their necks.  However, this would not be the invention of ties or even a predecessor of the modern necktie.  This was certainly an early sort of fashion statement that signified a way of distinction of character and personality.  That is in fact, basically what modern ties are, a form of self-artistic expression. 

Necktie history notes the tying of cloth around a man's neck into an accessory fashion about 330 years prior to the new Millennium during the Thirty Years War which was a conflict involving religious beliefs in 17th century Europe. A King, a mercenary army with an unusual addition to uniforms, and a noble cause set the stage for a fashion accessory that lives on to this day.  There is a clear-cut relationship between fashion on one hand, and power and wealth on the other.  Fashion generally follows power and wealth.   This old adage spells out the creation of the evolution of neck wear, not its true actual origin.  There are accounts of neck cloths tied as a form of necktie much earlier in civilization.  However, without this acceptance by the King of France Louis XIV, of tying cloth around a man's neck in the 17th century, neckties would not have had their fateful way in the world.  

A Terra-Cotta Chinese Army from 221 B.C. wearing neckties
The history of ties considers other discoveries by archaeologists and historians.  There are several earlier known existences of neckcloths as a fashion of necktie.  Two are noteworthy. Ties were an unusual thought as a fashion accessory in China in 221 B.C. - the first known existence of fabric wrapping a man's neck but there is clear evidence of neck tied cloths.  In the neckwear industry, certainly in Europe, this not a very highly respected thought as for sure in this was an interestingly unknown fact until recently.  Old School ideas seem to hold water with great resilience.  As a result of the excavation in China in 1970, of the "Terracotta Army of the first Emperor of China," there is a challenge to the claim by Croatians that the necktie is their innovation and their place in the history of fashion.   Among the 7000 terracotta soldiers unearthed dressed in armor, many of which have a necktie wrapping their necks.  The apparent use of neckwear in China ended after the Han Dynasty took rule in 206 B.C. and neckwear would not be seen again in China until the 20th century.  Additionally, in 101 - 106 B.C. civilization has had neckties or more likely neckcloths seen the Roman Military is seen in artworks with neckwear worn as a random uniform.  Although only Roman soldiers were probably allowed to wear a "necktie" as it is a common thought that the fashion rule of Rome kept necks free of cloth. In summary, Roman Soldiers were not allowed to wear neck clothes but their servants were not.

Roman soldiers wearing neckwear depicting in artwork
Overlooked by fashion historians is a conclusion regarding Norsemen and their adventures in Europe and even the Americas pertaining to their influence in men's attire during the Viking Age from the late 8th century through the mid 11th century. Vikings often wore capes or draped overcoats of fur to keep warm in their lands of extreme cold climates and while at sea. You may note that a statue of Leif Eriksson in Reykjavik, Iceland celebrating his discovery of the New World in 1000 A.D. depicts a necktie cloth attached to his cape. An illustration below also has a Viking with a cloth tie fastened to his coat with the ties resembling a modern necktie.  Since it is was accepted that shirts and coats had to have fastening cloths that could be tied to the personal likeness and fit it is fair to speculate that the evolution of the necktie had a dynamic use prior to the invention of the button and button hole first appearing in Germany in the 13th century.  These cloth ties evolved into a neck cloth and eventually a neck-tie that resembles the modern tie.

Leif Eriksson and the Viking Neckties
About 15 centuries later, again in the form of military dress by Croatian Soldiers - is the introduction of men's neckties seen by historians.  Historians noticed for the third time, and also the first widely recognized appearance of ties, during a thirty-year 'religious" war in the early 17th century waged by King Charles V of Spain against reformists.  Fashion trends developed as soldiers from all of Europe fought and cultures and dress clashed.  Mutual respect and honor followed the battles that inflamed all of the European Continent creating changes that affected at the very least acceptance of religious belief, geography and national borders, cultural tolerance, government, a realignment of European power and influence, and even fashion.

The dress accepted "fashionable" throughout most of Europe was lace ruffs around the neck. Even after the Middle Ages, fashion dress was "ruled appropriate" strictly for each class.  War was expensive forcing many cost savings measures, and fashion was one cut back as men were to adorn ruffs with a strict law allowing men to wear ruffs only at funerals and other such occasions, ( ruffs were an expensive use of lace-up top 15 meters ).  The Croatian soldier wearing a cravat or cravat ( English translation "necktie" ) as part of his uniform caught the attention of the continent.  This Middle Age Custom or dress was in part, a form of identification on the battlefield and also part of folk costume.  Wearing this necktie as part of their uniform in battle throughout Europe, the Croatian Soldiers gained respect - widely known for their mercenary ways. They were recruited along with German Soldiers by France, in 1635, after France declared war on Spain - entering the conflict, short on troops and willing to hire soldiers.  

King Louis XIV of France accepted
the cravate as fashion accessory

The Croatian soldiers and their cravats were noticed not only by the people of many European nations including the fashionable French but more importantly by royalty.  By fate, around this time the shirt collar - turned down came into fashion, a result of the formal decree by all countries ruled by Spain, Austria and other Catholic countries banning ruffs" Capitulos de reformacias 1623".  This was a time that the "golilla" a Spanish term for a linen and cardboard collar was accepted as fashionably correct.  And, a fine cloth to wrap the collar closed was a perfect solution.
Croatian soldiers and cavalry of the Thirty Year 
Religious War of 17th Century
Fascinated with the valor of the Croatian mercenaries in a religious war the King accepted neckties as appropriate dress.  However, the necktie or cravat was only noted by the French, and not accepted as a fashion style.  

Only after two decades, did King Louis XIV of France, 1638 - 1715, fancy the cravat.  The necktie-cravat was not "accepted attire" at court as old standing customs governed fashion. This changed when the Queen Mother Anne of Austria ( born in Spain ) died giving King Louis XIV rule of his right.  A painting by Henri Testelin hangs at Versailles depicting King Louis XIV wearing a cravat.  His necktie collection was extensive made from fine fabrics and styled by the most revered fashion designers of the time.  He had his own "cravatier" who would lay our several cravats each day for the King to select which one he would wear.  With-in one year of King Louis XIV acceptance of the cravate, London's elite became enamored by the fashion and King Charles II of England the British spent fortunes on expensive lace from Venice to have his neck wear made.
 
The "Royal Cravtes" regiment of Croatian soldiers, formed in 1667, wore cravats made of linen, lace, and muslin.  Uniforms, especially accessories for soldiers were not commonplace among the military and the use of this necktie was a distinctive dress.  They were fighting as mercenaries for France and with the French support, suffered great losses politically while attempting a "Coup D'etat" in a struggle for self-rule.  The country of Croatia never fully recovered from the failed conspiracy against their unwanted rule by the Halsburgs.  They were different, noble and they had a political cause that may have drawn sympathy from King Louis XIV.  His acceptance of the Cravat was the birth of a fashion phenomenon that swept the globe and continuing today in men's' attire.  The Dutch, Belgians and even English authors were fond of cravats but the credit for making the cravat fashionable was King Louis XIV.  Thus, "fashion follows power and wealth."

Napoleon Bonaparte had his influence on 
men's fashion, as with any man of power 
Napoleon was always in grand attire
Napoleon had his influence on fashion as did most military leaders. The French led the fashion world through the 18th Century up until the French Revolution of 1789-1799.  English influence became predominant after the beginning of the 19th Century.  George Bryan "Beau" Brummel 1778 - 1840 a leader in British Fashion of the day brought the necktie to great innovation influencing the Prince of Wales - later to become King George IV.  Beau Brummel's details of necktie knotting and design won him favor with England and most of Europe.  He is credited with fashioning the modern men's suit worn with a necktie. He claimed he would spend five hours of the day just dressing and extravagantly boosted a man's boots be shined with champagne.  

Ties were still black or white and great discussion was involved about this in England, Germany, France, Italy and other European nations.  In 1820 when King George V was crowned he introduced the black tie, which was not so popular with his guests who often kept a white tie in their pockets.  After the beginning of 19th Century colored neckties and ties with patterns appeared partially due to schools, hunting, sports, and military influence.  By the mid 19th Century neckties started to resemble modern day neck wear.

Ludwig Van Beethoven with a necktie under his collar -
clearly not a scarf
Since the British had colonies throughout the world their necktie fashion spread to almost every continent with China the only exception.  The French did not except the British fashion and tried to go their own way concerning men's fashion and neckwear.  Great men throughout history wore neckties as depicted in paintings; Napoleon, I Emperor of France wore his cravat - a soldier from a young age, as did George Washington - soldier and the first President of The United States, Benjamin Franklin a statesman, Ludwig Van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, ( certainly not soldiers or politicians ).  Any painting depicting these honored men and other celebrated men over the past 300 years will illustrate a cravat tied around their necks.  

The shape and design of colors and patterns of the cravat changed and of course, the military again dictated this.  Before the turn of the 20th century, realizing that their soldiers were easy targets wearing bright red uniforms, the British were outfitted with drab green uniforms.  Each regiment decided on their own, what tie to wear with a different stripe going across the tie in a pattern of colors and stripe width.  With this need to be individual the "Rep Stripe" necktie was born.  Across the Atlantic American soldiers followed suit, however, the stripes go the other way.  The distinction between the European Rep Stripe tie vs. American Rep Stripe tie is simple enough.  The difference is the direction of the stripe from the left shoulder crossing the heart or from the right shoulder crossing the heart.

“A well tied tie is the first serious step in life,"
 Oscar Wilde, poet, play write of great acclaim,  
1854 – 1900.  He tied his first tie at he age
of 2 while wearing a smoking jacket


This New World American vs. the Old World European look was distinctive and of course gave way to British designers fashion designers creating ties with polka-dots and colorful patterns.  After the turn of last century, these fancy designs produced an unlikely trend with retailers - ties were designed much like a women's' thought for fashion - but for a product meant for a man. This was a marketing ploy probably, as fashion houses took note that women were buying their men neckties.  Appealing to their sense of color and style was a natural conclusion.

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor and their influence in necktie history is quite another story about fashion and love.  It was not just by chance that the famous necktie knot became to be known worldwide as the Windsor.  This British Royal made famous, to the World the beautiful and symmetrical Windsor Tie Knot.  The most popular necktie knot "The Windsor Knot" was named after the Duke of Windsor against his wishes.  Folklore has it that his father King George V passed down this tie knot along with the crown jewels.   He is not known for inventing the Windsor tie knot however he is the reason it became so popular.  In 1936, after just a one-year reign as King of Britain, Edward the VIII abdicated his throne to marry Bessie Wallis Warfield Simpson an American divorcee - women he was rumored to having an affair with.  His brother took his throne and the title of Duke of Windsor was given to him.  The dashing gentleman captivated the world with his sacrifice of the throne for love.  He sported the symmetrical necktie knot that American journalists adorned and inadvertently gave him credit for during the fan fair of publicity and photographs of the Paparazzi.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor

The Windsor Tie knot was a very meaningful contribution to men's fashion as this necktie knot commands the most attention and respect.  The finished look is a symmetrical knot with a dimple below.  It is fairly easy if you know how to do it.   The problem is almost no one knows the easy way to tie this fashionable tie knot.  The Duke in a series of photographs showed the World a very complicated method to create this tie knot.  What could be the greatest hoax of last century, save the Beatles Paul McCartney being dead, the Duke made the tie knotting difficult by changing a key move when completing the knot.  Presumably, he must have motivated by the fact that the no one should be so handsome and distinguished as the Blue Blood Royals.
The Duke of Windsor tying his tie in a famous photographic sequence

To learn more about the Duke of Windsor and the necktie knot inadvertently name after him check out The Mystery of the Windsor Necktie Knot - A Love Story Like No Other,   a King, a Would be Queen and a Tie Knot Fashion Statement.  This tale of Duke of Windsor is a part of a controversial history and is a well-known sore in the British fashion and political world.  Many Brits do not give the Duke credit for his wonderful necktie knotting and a prejudice of sort has followed to this day.  So much so that even Ian Fleming's spy 007 James Bond considered a man that wore a Windsor Tie Knot as a Cad and not to be trusted.  It is no wonder that some of those bad guys out to conquer the World, that Bond had to eliminate - looked so handsome with their perfectly symmetrical Windsor Knotted ties.

A major contribution to the necktie was by an American tie manufacturer Jesse Langsdorf in 1924. His idea was simple; three pieces of fabric cut, with a stiff wool lining and sewn together with the invention of the slip stitch along the back of the tie closing the envelope.  This stitch allowed the tie to move along the closing thread while tying knots; eliminated ironing and necktie damage from the abuse of the taking the tie on and off.  The necktie had reached its present form in this patented design. The modern tie as we know it evolved from this form.  Shrinking in width every 15 years or so from about 1 ½ inches to about 4 ½ inches in accordance with shirt collar and lapel width and shape of a jackets' opening. 

In the 1920's the Art Deco ties of the Jazz Age are attributed to artists Picasso and Braque.  Salvador Dali created the first recognized novelty ties taking his artwork as illustrations on ties much to the surprise of the art world.  Very likely this could be an early form of branding that would later become a mainstay in marketing "the modern T-shirt illustrating a company logo."  


The belly warmer tie
An American trend in the 40s were ties as wide as 5 inches or more affectionately called the “Belly Warmer”, often with a pinup girl or a hula girl and palm trees painted on it. Introduced as a fashion spoof, the belly warmer tie became rather trendy after actors like Bob Hope, Alan Ladd and Danny Kay started wearing them. A sexy version followed with beautiful naked pin-up girls painted on the lining of the back side of the bottom of the wide blade which became a fashionable secret.

Mark Abramhoff and Ralph Marlin's famous fish ties
The 80s saw the "Power Tie" and the 90s saw casual dress take its toll on ties.  Still, neckties remained a statement of being serious about business and by contrary, of course, being personal and even silly.  The silly side gave way to fun novelty theme ties.  Mark Abramhoff's patent of the fish shaped tie became the brainchild of a shift in necktie design that became an extension of a man's hobbies, his personality and character, and charm.  Novelty neckties illustrating hobbies, Van Gogh and Monet artwork, Elvis, and Marilyn Monroe, and oddly enough Harley Davidson Motor Cycles by Abramhoff's Ralph Marlin Company became wildly popular in the 90's.   

Four unlikely necktie designers Salvador Dali, Jerry Garcia, Peter Max, and Rush Limbaugh
A line of ties illustrating the Beatles music themes became popular in the 90's and in soon after ties with pictures of the Beatles themselves.   Pianist and pop rock star Elton John's music inspired a line of ties, themed after his lyrics were made by Castle Neckwear in Los Angeles.  

Ties illustrating the "pop" art of Peter Max set a new stage for artistic ties. Others artists like Christian Lassen famous for his underwater scenes followed.  These tie lines were mostly licensed by necktie manufacturers providing unique artistic neckties for a man to express himself. Ties illustrating the licensed artwork of Marvel Comics and D.C. Comics, Disney, Bart Simpson, Star Wars, and ties with Tabasco and Endangered Species themes became the rage of non-conservative dress.  Licensed novelty ties became a big retail draw especially popular with young men and even women who waitress at Denny's, the Cheese Cake Factory and other restaurants.

In the mid 90's Wall Street became amazed at a rather very surprising tie line that became a fashion statement that was a contradiction.  A man who wanted to be a rebel and still wear a tie had his wish with the creation of Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead ties.  These ties were designed and modeled using Jerry Garcia's art; he had been at first a talented art student in San Francisco's Art Institute. 
At a time when fashion was pushing all limits, Gianni Versace created neckties with enough emotion, color, and vivid design to stop traffic and get recognized.  As well Pancaldi neckties were a great success with ethnic men and non-introverts thanks to their elegant and super colorful designs.  These "avant-garde" style ties became popular with men that wanted to be noticed.  Similarly, Rush Limbaugh No Boundaries designs were created with enough color and abstract patterns that they gave way to cause a national fashion phenomenon in America.  Martin Wong ties became were also very popular with ethnic men.  They were extremely attractive designs were Art Deco themes and abstract panels that highlighted subtle hues.   These neckties were the opposite of conservative styles that were striped, simple patterns, or small medallions, that were the preferred choice of bankers, accountants, and other professionals that had to be careful not to offend anyone wearing a flashy or loud tie. 


"Who Wants To Be a Millionaire" Regis Philbin's 
Monochromatic necktie fashion trend
Television and movie stars had been an influence on fashion however until Regis Philbin wore a solid color tie that matched the color of his shirt did that phenomenon make its mark on necktie fashion.  The monochromatic tie and shirt look became known as the Million Dollar tie craze, getting its name after his very popular game show Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.

After the turn of the 20th Century necktie design turned conservative taking a turn back to rep stripes.   An event that had caused great despair and even greater political and diplomatic changes also created a fashion trend, short-lived but none-the-less very widespread.  Neckwear retailers and manufacturers answered the call as the tragedy of September 11, 2001 encouraged American men to sport patriotic ties with the same vigor as most Americans who displayed American Flags on the car antennas, and their front porches.  The seriousness of the state of Geopolitical climate attributed to conservative dress.  Television anchors and reporters, politicians and of course bankers could not be seen as soft or not on guard.  

Throughout the decade conservative ties were the norm, although liberal fashion buffs held out fancying novelty ties and bold colorful abstract panel designs.  The opposite of conservative neckties was sharp and exact.   Ties that screamed in color and loud design seemed to blossom.   Electric ties evolved from the Rush Limbaugh No Boundaries ties which came to an end in 1997 after selling about 6 million ties.  Sold almost exclusively through the Rush Limbaugh mailing lists and through online stores, these bright ties were wild and practically electric in attraction. 

The Internet retailing of ties became a source for wild and different ties as most department stores went with the conservative trend.  Additionally, many retailers either severely cut back on their stocking of neckties or stopped selling ties altogether.  Save the Internet, novelty ties became hard to find with the exception of specialty retailers in kiosks for the holidays.  Collector novelty neckties became a unique business for Internet retailers as almost all licensed novelty ties were discontinued making fancy "conversation" themed ties illustrating Marvel Comics Superheroes and the like a sort of commodity. 

"The Apparel Off Proclaim the Man," 
William Shakespeare
The recession of 2008 and the casual dress trend that started a decade earlier had taken its toll on the necktie industry, especially on unique licensed royalty-burdened novelty ties that were costly to manufacture and risky to venture into.  The designs and themes of novelty ties became a casualty; as often fashion is influenced by outside forces other than designer whims and ideas not to mention die-hard consumers that cannot live without Tabasco or Endangered Species ties.  

In 2009, despite this cautious manner, a rather odd thing happened on the fashion world and neckties which were carefully crafted by Christian Aguilar a marketing wizard.   Clothing, sunglasses, sneakers and ties, of course, illustrating tattoo art by San Francisco artist Ed Hardy became very popular proving that although there was a recession a fresh idea could still spark interest and profit.

Ed Hardy, Christian Aguilar Tattoo Art Neckties
Think of the dashing spy James Bond 007 wearing casual clothes. Daniel Craig may still have his good looks but command the authority Bond style - Hardly!  How about Frank Sinatra, he was always dressed to the "nines." and getting 100% respect. No doubt the dashing men that are movie stars have a great influence on fashion trends.

With an understanding of necktie history and how various cultures and societies have contributed to this fashion accessory, it is fair to say that neckties are here to stay.  Not only is wearing a tie a tradition of manhood, they are an important element of men's fashion.  Women love them and the casual trend has seen its run.  Being serious about dressing is a commonplace habit for men as Shakespeare had noted: "the apparel oft proclaim the man." 

Ties have truly become an important fashion accessory using color and pattern to create a means of a gentleman's self-expression.  If the King of France, Louis XIV could have ever imagined what he started when he decreed wearing neckcloth was acceptable for men.  Well, that is one thing the French can claim for the record.  Although the invention of the contemporary necktie is a Croatian contribution to men's fashion.  Unless of course, you would rather give credit to the "lover-boy" gorilla 100,000 years ago.

Watch this great video The Origin of Neckties












Jeffrey Hunter
Nice Tie Store