Regency Neckties

To do this project, I started with a length of cloth that appeared to have been used previously for such a purpose. It was trapezoidal, the longest length being 60" and the shortest length at 46". Though the material was light and flexible, I think it was a type of synthetic because it seemed to have an amount of rigidity in the threads. They were not soft and pliable like a natural fabric such as cotton. Here is a diagram of what the cloth used looked like:

Maharata: So I started of a little easier with this one. I actually liked the idea that this was a simple wrap-around that adds a quaint but stylish trim to the neckline. To tie this, I placed the cloth around the back of the neck and draped both ends over the shoulders to the front of the body. Then I simply crossed them over each other in front then wrapped them back to the sides they originally started. The extra cloth is tucked under the jacket. I assume that it is pinned to the front of the shirt or to the shoulders and concealed by the jacket or a waistcoat. Very simple, but sharp if the neckcloth is starched a bit to accentuate the "chainlink" effect and probably in a color contrasting to the shirt worn.

Mailcoach: To tie this one, I started by placing the neckcloth at the front of the neck and wrapped it behind. I crossed it behind the neck and brought the ends around to the front. At the front of the neck, I tied a simple square knot which is easily angled so that one end hangs straight down while the other points up before draping down. I tucked this end under the wrap-around to hold it in place, centered with the neck. This end then drapes down to cover the knot and would be tucked into a waistcoat worn by a coachman. Very easily tied and yet flashy and elegant when added to the driver's uniform. My recomendation though is a much longer neckcloth that can be wrapped around multiple times for a fuller effect. The 60" I had was not nearly long enough for a proper tying.

Gordion Knot Again, conservative tastes come into play. Compared to an Osbaldston, which is tied similarly, this tie is a simpler accentuation to boring male fashion. I would think that it is a simple knot like this that is the predecessor of the Windsor that is so common today. I tied this one identically to the Maharata (see above) but finished a simple square knot before tucking the draping ends under the jacket. The knot at the neck took very little adjusting to give the squared off effect. Remember that this knot is conservative, about 1 1/2"-2" wide (unlike the Osboldston in which the knot is opened for a 4"-5" inch width). The ends that drape down are then crossed a few inches beneath the knot and tucked under the jacket and finished like the Maharata. I think that some more stiffness in the cloth would create a cleaner knot.