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The cravat: Croatia’s gift to the world
The back story
About The cravat: Croatia’s gift to the world
Every tie in the world owes something to Croatia. In the 17th century, Croatian soldiers fighting in France wore knotted scarves around their necks, the fashion caught on at court, and the French called it the cravate, after the Croats.
Soldiers in France
During the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century, Croatian soldiers served in France. Their knotted neck scarves caught the eye of the Parisians, and soon fashionable men at the French court were wearing them too.
From Croat to cravat
The French named the new accessory à la croate, the cravate, and the word passed into many languages. From the cravat, over the centuries, came the modern necktie.
The word cravat simply means “Croat”.
Cravat Day
Croatia celebrates its gift to fashion on 18 October, Cravat Day, when statues and people around the country wear red cravats.
The Cravat Regiment
In the warmer months, the Cravat Regiment, in historical uniforms with red cravats, parades through the Upper Town and stages a changing of the guard, a colourful sight around St Mark’s Square.
Our advice: buy a silk tie or scarf at Croata, the Croatian brand that tells the story of the cravat, as a gift with a story to tell. Look out for the Cravat Regiment in the Upper Town on summer weekends.
Why it's on our list
- Soldiers in France
- From croate to cravate
- Cravat Day
- The Cravat Regiment
- Buying a tie
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The cravat: Croatia’s gift to the world before you go.