"When that 'little black dress' is not enough ... SHANGRILA!"

Silk Ties


The history of neckties dates back a few hundred years. In 1660, in celebration of its hard-fought victory over the Ottoman Empire, a crack regiment from Croatia (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire), visited Paris. The soldiers were presented as glorious heroes to Louis XIV, a monarch interested in personal adornment. The regimental officers wore brightly colored silk handkerchiefs around their necks. These neck cloths, which probably descended from the Roman fascalia worn by orators to warm the vocal chords, struck the fancy of the king, and he soon made them a royal insignia, as he created a regiment of Royal Cravattes. The word "cravat," incidentally, is derived from "Croat."

It wasn't long before this new style crossed the channel to England. Soon no gentleman considered himself well-dressed without sporting a cloth around his neck--the more decorative, the better. At times, cravats were worn so high that a man could not move his head without turning his whole body. There were even reports of cravats worn so thick that they stopped sword thrusts. Styles knew no bounds, as cravats of tasseled strings, plaid scarves, tufts and bows of ribbon, lace, and embroidered linen all had staunch adherents. Nearly one hundred different knots were devised.

Shangri-La Gifts is just beginning to offer a new exciting line of fashion neck wear for men! Our new concept 100% silk neckties are a bold adventerous selection for every tie interest and taste. Thank you for visiting!