Cravat

A cravat is a plain strip of cloth, worn tied around the neck, which originated in men’s military uniforms in the 1630’s and is the forerunner of the modern neck tie. The original purpose of the cravat is still debated but it is thought to have been used to hide stains on shirts or as a psychological protection during battle, shielding the neck from injury. The cravat was worn by men and women for two centuries before it started to be referred to as a “tie”.