The Bow Tie is a type of men's necktie that consists of a ribbon of fabric tied around the collar in a symmetrical manner such that the two opposite ends form loops. Ready-tied bow ties are available, in which the distinctive bow is sewn and a band goes around the neck and clips to secure. Bow ties may be made of any fabric material, but most are made from silk, polyester, cotton, or a mixture of fabrics. The Bow tie originated among Croatian mercenaries during the Prussian wars of the 17th century when the Croat mercenaries used a scarf around the neck to hold together the opening of their shirts. This was soon adopted under the name cravat, derived from the French for "Croat", by the upper classes in France, then a leader in fashion, and flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries. The most traditional Bow ties are usually of a fixed length and are made for a specific size neck. Sizes can vary between approximately 14 and 20 inches just like a comparable shirt collar. Fixed-length Bow ties are preferred when worn with the most formal wing-collar shirts, so as not to expose the buckle or clasp of an adjustable bow tie. Bow ties are worn by magicians, country doctors, lawyers, paediatricians, professors musicians and by people hoping to look like the above and clowns also wear oversized ones. In the 1980’s fashionable and professional women wore a type of Bow tie. Most men only wear Bow ties with formal dress. This white bow tie is a 'fixed length' type that needs to be tied by the person wearing it. MAKO SIZE 15 1/2 menswear, clothing, shirts, collars, early settlers, fashion, cheltenham, moorabbin, dairy farmers, market gardeners, bow ties, mako pty ltd