Did you know that Croatia established the path of that most and ever-present of modern accessories: the necktie?

Well, according to the well known Croatian legend, girlfriends and wives would, when seeing off their boyfriends and husbands to battles and wars, tie a bandana (scarf) around their necks as a reminder of home and to give them strength and courage.

The cravat is a neckband, the predecessor of the modern tailored necktie and bow tie that originating from 17th-century military unit known as the Croats.

Croatian mercenaries (Croats) were enlisted into a regiment supporting the King Louis XIII of France against the Duke of Guise and the Queen Mother Marie de’ Medici. The traditional Croat military kit awaken Parisian curiosity about the unusual scarves distinctively knotted at the Croats’ necks; the cloths that were used ranged from the simple cloths of soldiers to the fine linens and silks of the officers. The word cravat came from the French cravate, a corrupt French pronunciation of Croate.

The cravat, as a sign of dignity and civility, courtesy and ceremony, soon conquered the fashion scene. First it took over Europe, then America, and now the entire world.

So whenever you wear a necktie, remember it is of Croatian.