Who wears ties? A better question would be, who doesn't?
Men are primary wearers of neckties, though women have been known to sport them on occasion.
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The use of neckties can begin at a very early age, depending on the family. Factors that determine the use of neckties may range anywhere from socioeconomic status to how involved a family is in religious activities.
Above, we see portraits of young children, each wearing a necktie. Perhaps they are only wearing the accessory for the purpose of the photo. Regardless of that fact, it is important to note that the necktie is an important part of dress for all ages.  |
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Here, we can see that neckties are worn by men during the later years of their lives as well. As you can imagine, ties tend to be more popular for people during their mature years than they are during those of being a toddler.
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People from all situations in life wear neckties. It is an accessory that can be formal, casual, artistic, and anything in between. Above, we see the example of a stereotypical nerd. This style is often seen with a bow-tie, however longer ties can also been seen. This is not a style common for most people and social settings, unless it happens to be Halloween.
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It was mentioned that ties can be a casual accessory. Sometimes they are so casual that they are even printed onto a t-shirt. These kinds of clothing are typical worn by young adult men, between the ages of 15-30, typically in the low or middle-class. Though it is not technically a tie, it is interesting to see the role that the ties have had in the fashion industry.
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The example of a bow tie was shown on the nerd featured above, however it is important to note that it is not just a style of the coolness impaired. Above is a photo of Ryan Gosling, wearing a suit and bow tie in a formal setting. This is a great example because it also illustrates that people in higher economic situation are also wearing neckties. As a celebrity, Gosling is also set apart as someone that sets trends. The photo illustrates that a necktie can be be both a sign of affluence and style and the same time.
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The unique thing about neckties is that they are used by individuals in a variety of styles. Above, we can see a photo of a band, two of them wearing neckties. Comparing them to the photo of Ryan Gosling illustrates that the tie is not being used to create the same look. However, you can see in both photos that the individuals are dressed more formally.
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Zac Efron is a great example of the many ways that neckties can be worn. He has been seen wearing them in a variety of formal and casual settings. Here, we can see that he is dressed more casually. His attire may be considered appropriate for a casual business setting, or even a for a typical day on a college campus. Ties are typically known for making a wardrobe more dressy, or formal. However, over the last few years, many incorporate them into the most casual situations.
Neckties are typically worn in countries with a European influence. As globalization progresses, ties may become increasingly popular over time. They can now be seen in many countries around the world. Most of the places that they are seen, outside of the United States and Western Europe, use the accessory primarily in formal settings, such as work.
Ties have been around since the 1600's, when they were worn by French mercenaries. They gained popularity later in Paris. The styles of neckties have changed quite a bit, but they have only gained popularity.
In recent years, it was thought that the style was loosing popularity. Several articles have pointed out that officials as high ranking as U.S. President, Barak Obama, have worked in business settings without the signature neck wear. Despite this, there are fashion icons that are fighting to keep the tie popular. One such icon is Justin Timberlake, who can often be seen wearing a tie.
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As previously mentioned, women have also been known to wear neckties. This practice is not nearly as popular as men wearing ties, however it still exists. Like with men, neckties are employed for a wide array of styles and dress practices. A few examples are found below.
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