cravat

A cravat is a form of neckwear consisting of a length of fabric wrapped around the neck and tied in a knot to form a broad front. The word is derived from the French cravate, which in turn comes from the term used for Croatian mercenaries known as Cravates who wore such bands in 17th-century Europe. The style spread across Europe and evolved from a simple cloth band into a variety of knots and arrangements during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Historically, cravats were worn by men as an essential element of dress, with numerous knots and levels of elaboration, often featuring decorative folds, lace, or jacquard patterns. Fabrics were primarily silk, but cotton and linen were also used. In the 19th century the cravat gradually gave way to the stock and, later, to the modern necktie, though cravats and related forms remained common in certain formal, morning, or ceremonial costumes.

Today’s usage of the term typically refers to a traditional or ceremonial neckwear item rather than everyday wear. Cravats are most often seen in historical reenactments, formal morning dress, or as vintage-inspired fashion statements. They are also kept alive by enthusiasts of antique dress and certain uniforms where a wide, decorative neckband is preferred over a standard tie.