Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Jack. Jack Wonders, “Who Invented the Tie?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Jack!

Do you enjoy getting dressed up? Whether it’s for a wedding, a piano recital, or a religious service, even kids have to dress up from time to time. That may mean pulling on your best dress or suit. Sometimes it even means wearing a tie.

Some kids aren’t crazy about wearing ties. They may think they look too “grown up.” Others find the tightness around their necks uncomfortable. However, many adults wear a tie every day!

If you pay attention, you’ll notice that there are many kinds of ties. Some are wide and some are thin. Some are long and some are just tiny little bowties. Ties also come in a wide variety of patterns and colors. Some ties you can just clip on to your shirt collar, while others have to be tied with fancy knots.

Different types of ties also have lots of different names. Around the world, people may use different words to describe them. Here are a few examples: neckties, ascots, bow ties, bolo ties, cravats and clip-on ties.

Who invented the tie? No one knows for sure. Historians believe they’ve been around for over 2,000 years. The ancient “Terracotta Warriors” of the Chinese Qin dynasty wore silk cords around their necks as symbols of their elite rank.

Most modern ties are usually 56 inches long and between 3.25-3.5 inches wide. They’re based on a patent received in 1924 by tailor Jesse Langsdorf. His experience with clothing enabled him to create a tie pattern that was visually appealing and more durable than past ties had been.

Some ties can be clipped on to your collar (kids tend to like these, since they’re simpler). But most ties require you to tie them with one of various knots. Some examples of common types of tie knots are the Pratt, Four-in-Hand, Half-Windsor, and Full Windsor. It can take a while to learn how to tie these knots perfectly. With a little practice, though, it becomes much easier.

When you get dressed up in nice clothing with a tie, it’s easy to see why many people choose to wear them. Ties can make any outfit look super-sharp and snazzy! Early ties may have had certain purposes, such as keeping a shirt tight at the neck to keep the throat warm during cold weather. However, ties today are mainly accessories. They add color and pizzazz to your outfit.

Many people associate the tie with men’s clothing. But women can wear ties, too! Many wear them as part of a uniform for work. Others just like the way they look in a tie and slip one on before important events. The tie is one piece of fashion that may be seen on a variety of people dressed for many occasions.

Standards: CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1, NCAS.A.1, NCAS.A.2, NCAS.A.3

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