Monday 29 August 2022

NECKTIE ETIQUETTE | WEARING MILITARY TIES.


 

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.

https://www.factmonster.com/culture-entertainment/holidays/neckties-through-ages-ties-fit-officers-and-gentlemen

 

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


AUTHENTIC BRITISH REGIMENTALS

No comments: