How well do you know the accessories you wear with the uniform?

Knowing the characteristics of accessories is important for choosing the one that best represents your style and identity. In this article, we want to get you to discover the history and some curiosities about the most popular and used accessories: the necktie, the bow tie, the cufflinks, the foulard, the pocket square and the brooch.

Necktie

The ancestor of today’s necktie was a strip of cloth worn by Roman legionaries to protect the airways during marches. It was brought to Europe by the Croats around the XVII century while the Sun King set its success by even establishing a profession, that of the tie-maker who was in charge of tying the king’s necktie. The first woman to wear a necktie dates back to this period, a French aristocrat named Madame de La Vallière. During the Industrial Revolution, more and more people wanted to wear a necktie that was comfortable, long enough, thin and easy to tie. In 1922 the American entrepreneur Jesse Langsdorf found the right method to create the necktie, which is to cut three pieces of fabric at a 45-degree angle and then sew them together. This is the type of necktie that millions of people still wear today. Later in England and in the Commonwealth countries, the necktie was used to identify the rank of soldiers, university students, schoolchildren or membership in an organization, hence the regimental style.

Today it is the symbol par excellence of elegance, therefore it is a must have accessory when we talk about men’s work uniform, the right choice to communicate precision and elegance, but it occupies a small space of its own in the women’s wardrobe in the form of a small necktie.

Bow tie

The bow tie also originates from the Croatian mercenaries who used a scarf closed in a bow to tie the shirt collar. It was immediately adopted by the French aristocrats, transforming it into an indispensable fashion accessory. From XIX century onwards the idea that the bow tie was worn by certain categories of people such as architects, artists, professors and politicians was strengthened. In Italy the bow tie was a symbol attributed to the futurists, anarchists and revolutionaries. Today the bow tie is considered the alternative to the tie and is mainly associated with important ceremonies or formal environments. It is in fact used above all with the tuxedo and the tailcoat. An accessory of great character, essential for certain environments that highlights elegance, style and exclusive refinement.

Scarf

The foulard seems to have been used already in ancient China, its name derives from the French foular that means “to full”, a technical term that indicates the manufacturing process of the fabric that makes it very resistant. Throughout history, it has been used for various purposes, worn on the head to protect oneself from the sun, around the neck by soldiers to identify rank, and more recently by women as a fashion accessory. The scarf joined catwalks with Hermés, which since the 1930s has brought it into the sartorial world. After him, many other designers have tried their hand at creating these accessories that were very suitable for the encounter between fashion and art. In fact, the scarves through the combination of different fabrics, colours and patterns became real pieces of art. The modern scarf has become a symbol of feminine elegance, perfect to complement your outfit or work uniform. It contrasts with the male ascott, a very refined and little known accessory.

Pochette or pocket square

The pochette derives from the French word poche “pocket” and like many other accessories, this too became particularly famous between the XVII and XVIII centuries at the court of the Sun King. The nobles wore the pocket square as an ornamental accessory and the increasingly frequent use made it a real object of style. The birth of the pocket square as we know it today occurs in the XIX century, simultaneously with the success of the two-piece suit. The pochette begins to be worn in the jacket pocket, hence the name of pocket square. Even today it is considered a decorative element that is worn when you want to have an elegant and refined style with particular attention to detail, combined with a tie or shirt.

Cufflinks

The cufflinks appeared for the first time in the XVII century, but they only spread during the XVIII century, a period in which they are used as a true jewel. From this moment on, they begin to be associated with a symbolic and identifying value: they are decorated with family initials, names and surnames, noble emblems and names of husband and wife. In the XX century, cufflinks spread further, less precious and more accessible versions were available. Cufflinks are used with shirts with French cuffs and are usually worn for important events such as ceremonies, gala parties, parties, but the possibility of wearing them is certainly not excluded for those who want to hazard with an extra touch of refinement.

Brooch

The brooch is an accessory whose origin dates back to the Bronze Age where it was used to hold mantles together. Between the XX and XXI centuries it was used by ladies to embellish their dresses. And it is exactly in this period that the brooch becomes a jewel of the highest value as it is made with precious metals, diamonds and pearls. Over the centuries, the brooch has increasingly taken on a symbol of wealth status. In the 1980s, when the metal brooch became popular, often round-shaped, used by young people to show belonging to a group or to send ironic and funny messages. Today it is used like other accessories to diversify, embellish and personalize the look.

Personalized accessories

You can customize the accessories to match the company uniform and convey the values of your company also through the appearance of your employees. Our specialists will guide you step by step in customizing the chosen accessory and will find the solution that best suits the image of your company that you want to show. Find out how here.