First half of 19th century

Kerchief

For daytime and sporting wear, the mid-nineteenth century male could add a bright touch to his dress with a colorful and patterned neckcloth. A practical alternative to stiffer neckwear, kerchiefs and Indian bandanas (from the Hindi word for tie-dye) had been worn since the late eighteenth century. These large squares, folded diagonally and wrapped and tied around the neck, were of silk or cotton and were made either in India or in Europe following the Indian style; as the inscription on the top silk example shows, they could be given as gifts.