The white tie is one of the most traditional necktie colors. White ties are together with the red necktie the oldest color for ties (to Croatian mercenaries brought the tie to France during the 30 year war and to the most part wore red neckties resembling the red in the Croatian flag).

After King Louis saw how brave the Croatian solders fought on the side of his men, he got inspired to adopt the Croatian Scarf. Soon after the necktie was named “la cravat” after the Croats. For the most part of the 17th and 18th century the necktie was exclusively white in color, made from the finest silk fabric available, and served as way to differentiate between classes. Only the rich and affluent wore such neckties.

Later on during the 18th century the British adopted the white tie and by that time, the white necktie was part of a man’s formal attire. Not until 1820s, when King George V was crowned, another tie color got introduced -the black tie. Despite the introduction of the black tie, it didn’t receive much approval. The white tie remained the predominant formal necktie.

Even today it is British tradition to wear a white tie to formal evening events. Unlike American formal attire, also called black tie, the British view the white tie as the “Queen of all Ties”. The white tie is not only a traditional tie in Britain, but other parts of Europe also reserve the white tie for special occasions. In Germany for example it is required that judges wear a white tie to court.

In fashion the solid colored white tie is quite rare. Instead the white tie gets often combined with other colors such as light blue, red and pink - often times in striping patterns.

White Neckties: The history of the traditional white tie.