In the
1880s the British military finally decided abandon its array of brightly
colored uniforms that had always made such good targets. But they retained the
beloved old military colors on the stripes of the neckties each regiment would
come to adopt. These ties not only preserved the traditional colors, they
provided the only creativity for the drab new uniforms.
The Royal
Rifle Corps sported rifle green and scarlet ties, while the stripes of the
Artists' Rifles were black, gray, and red; the Inns of Court wore green and
blue stripes.
Exclusivity
remains
Rules on
who may wear the more than 200 regimental ties can be quite strict. Some of the
prestigious London stores sometimes ask customers to indicate they have the
right to wear a particular tie. This pushes up the price collectors are willing
to pay for an especially rare tie. Some unusual or rare ties will change hands
for thousands of dollars.
AMERICAN STRIPES
Dr. Neil
Lazer
It is true
that the "Rep Stripe" tie is different in Europe. I believe that it
is a military uniform influence. The "American Rep Stripe" will cross
the chest diagonally with the stripes pointing from the right shoulder towards
the waist. The "European Rep Stripe" crosses the chest with the
stripes pointing from left shoulder towards the waist.
If a rifle
were to be carried in sling strapped over the shoulder, the American soldier
would carry his weapon over the right shoulder. The European military sling
would carry over the left shoulder with the strap crossing the heart. American rifles eject shell casings to the
right and the European rifle ejects shell casings to the left. As for American
military; considering people are mostly right handed the soldier would have and
easier access and feel for the rifle carried over the right shoulder.
In dress,
the uniform would flow better without converging stripes. I am sure if you view
West Point or other officer photographs you'll see this. Before the turn of the
twentieth century the British came to the conclusion that their soldiers were
easy targets in bright red uniform. With the issue of camouflaged uniform that
would not make a soldier so easy to spot in the field the only way to dress up
with color and style was a uniquely designed striped tie, with each division or
regiment adopting their own colors. These ties not only preserved the
traditional colors, they provided the only creativity for the drab new
uniforms.
The Royal
Rifle Corps sported rifle green and scarlet ties, while the stripes of the
Artists' Rifles were black, gray, and red; the Inns of Court wore green and
blue stripes.
Of course
this spread across the Atlantic as Americans still proud of taking the land
from England would not be out done by the United Kingdom in anyway. The British
navy still controlled the high seas and much of the world so an influence
concerning fashion was prevalent especially for military uniform.
This was
explained to me years ago and I cannot confirm the truth of this explanation
but logically it makes since. At the turn of the century ( last one - the
twentieth ) neckties were very much part of military uniform. European, and American fashion was influenced
by the dress code of service men.
http://nicetiestore.blogspot.com/2011/02/difference-between-european-and.html
No comments:
Post a Comment