Why the cravat is still tied in with celebrity style

One of the most influential figures in popular culture, Madonna is as much about fashion as she is music. While always a trendsetter, the singer often goes "vintage," appearing in costumes that draw on 18th and 19th-century fashion trends. She's photographed here in Regency-style attire, complete with ruffled necktie.

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Anthony Hopkins -

Anthony Hopkins has obviously loosened his cravat for photographers at the 2010 'The Wolfman' premiere in Hollywood.

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Ashton Kutcher -

A trendy-looking Ashton Kutcher arrives at the Bally and Vanity Fair Hollywood Domino Game Night in West Hollywood, California.

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Rupert Everett -

English actor Rupert Everett accessorizes with a multicolored cravat while out on the town in London.

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Michael Sheen -

Welsh actor Michael Sheen, a UNICEF Ambassador, dresses for the occasion at the 2015 UNICEF Halloween Ball at One in London.

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Ringo Starr -

This Beatle is all smiles and blue cravat at the 2008 Chelsea Flower Show held in London.

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Robert Redford -

Taking time out from filming 'Downhill Racer' in 1969, Robert Redford reclines in waistcoat and cravat, and looks effortlessly relaxed.

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Manolo Blahnik -

Spanish fashion designer Manolo Blahnik is renowned for his high-end footwear, but he's always immaculately dressed from top to bottom. Here he is in 1974 wearing a checked wool suit from Nutter's of Savile Row, belted with a scarf and accessorized with a cream cravat and pink shirt.

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Mick Jagger -

Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones is pictured in London in 1970 looking very velvet and wearing his cravat in a deliberately disarray manner.

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Warren Beatty -

One of Hollywood's hottest tickets in the late 1960s and throughout the '70s, '80s, and '90s, Warren Beatty's womanizing and high-profile romantic relationships received as generous a media coverage as his fashion.

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Errol Flynn (1909–1959) -

Hollywood swashbuckler Errol Flynn looked as dashing off screen as he did in front of the cameras.

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Cary Grant (1904–1986) -

One of classic Hollywood's definitive leading men, English-born American actor Cary Grant always exuded a debonair demeanor.

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Clark Gable (1901–1960) -

Clark Gable, photographed later in life, replete in blazer and polka dot cravat in a Hollywood publicity shot.

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Leonard Nimoy (1931–2015) -

Known to millions of 'Star Trek' fans as Spock, Leonard Nimoy changed his look for the US television series 'Mission: Impossible.' He's seen here around 1970 in a striped shirt and a paisley patterned cravat worn for a publicity portrait.

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John Wayne (1907–1979) -

"The Duke" was more comfortable in the saddle, but cowboy John Wayne could draw on a real sense of style in public.

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Truman Capote (1924–1984) -

American novelist, short story writer, and playwright Truman Capote enjoying the spotlight at the first anniversary party of New York City's Studio 54 in 1978.

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John Huston (1906–1987) -

Gravel-voiced, flint-faced John Huston could turn on the style when needed. The film director, screenwriter, and actor is seated with an equally fashion conscious Mae West (1893–1980).

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Elvis Presley (1935–1977) -

One of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, Elvis Presley was always a snazzy dresser. This image of a suited Presley with cravat became the cover of the 1958 'Kid Creole' album.

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Karl Lagerfeld (1933–2019) -

Revered fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld was recognized for his signature white hair, black sunglasses, and high, starched, detachable collars, which he'd complement with a tie and occasionally a cravat or bow.

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Peter O'Toole (1932–2013) -

The star of 'Lawrence of Arabia' (1962) was known better off screen for his hell-raising antics. Never one for formal attire, the actor was often seen in denim and a cravat tied loosely around his neck.

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Laurence Olivier (1907–1989) -

A cravat was de rigueur for one of cinema's greatest actors, Laurence Olivier.

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Johnny Cash (1932–2003) -

The "Man in Black" chose to wear a blue vest and white cravat for his 1970 performance at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

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Bette Davis (1908–1989) -

One of the greatest female stars of the classical Hollywood era, Bette Davis was also in demand as a fashion model. Here she is wearing a pinstripe suit and cravat in a promotional portrait for the aptly titled 'Fashions of 1934.'

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Fernando Rey (1917–1994) -

Sporting a cravat, Spanish actor Fernando Rey is all smiles after having received a prize at Cannes for his role in 'Elisa, My Love' (1977).

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Prince (1958–2016) -

Prince's flamboyant and androgynous persona extended to his preferences in fashion, which often included wearing flowing scarves and neckties.

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BrunoPress/Getty Images

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Billy Porter -

The always super stylish Billy Porter attends a New Year's Eve party in New Orleans. His cravat replicates a Regency-style neckcloth.

Getty Images

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Robert Downey Jr. -

Robert Downey Jr. swaps the traditional tie for a more casual cravat for the 2008 'Iron Man' premiere at Warner Moderno Cinema in Rome, Italy.

Getty Images

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Madonna -

Getty Images

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Anthony Hopkins -

Anthony Hopkins has obviously loosened his cravat for photographers at the 2010 'The Wolfman' premiere in Hollywood.

BrunoPress

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Ashton Kutcher -

A trendy-looking Ashton Kutcher arrives at the Bally and Vanity Fair Hollywood Domino Game Night in West Hollywood, California.

5 / 28 Fotos

Rupert Everett -

English actor Rupert Everett accessorizes with a multicolored cravat while out on the town in London.

BrunoPress

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Michael Sheen -

Welsh actor Michael Sheen, a UNICEF Ambassador, dresses for the occasion at the 2015 UNICEF Halloween Ball at One in London.

Getty Images

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Ringo Starr -

This Beatle is all smiles and blue cravat at the 2008 Chelsea Flower Show held in London.

BrunoPress

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Robert Redford -

Taking time out from filming 'Downhill Racer' in 1969, Robert Redford reclines in waistcoat and cravat, and looks effortlessly relaxed.

Getty Images

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Manolo Blahnik -

Getty Images

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Mick Jagger -

Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones is pictured in London in 1970 looking very velvet and wearing his cravat in a deliberately disarray manner.

Getty Images

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Warren Beatty -

Getty Images

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Errol Flynn (1909–1959) -

Hollywood swashbuckler Errol Flynn looked as dashing off screen as he did in front of the cameras.

Getty Images

13 / 28 Fotos

Cary Grant (1904–1986) -

One of classic Hollywood's definitive leading men, English-born American actor Cary Grant always exuded a debonair demeanor.

Getty Images

14 / 28 Fotos

Clark Gable (1901–1960) -

Clark Gable, photographed later in life, replete in blazer and polka dot cravat in a Hollywood publicity shot.

Getty Images

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Leonard Nimoy (1931–2015) -

Getty Images

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John Wayne (1907–1979) -

"The Duke" was more comfortable in the saddle, but cowboy John Wayne could draw on a real sense of style in public.

Getty Images

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Truman Capote (1924–1984) -

American novelist, short story writer, and playwright Truman Capote enjoying the spotlight at the first anniversary party of New York City's Studio 54 in 1978.

Getty Images

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John Huston (1906–1987) -

Gravel-voiced, flint-faced John Huston could turn on the style when needed. The film director, screenwriter, and actor is seated with an equally fashion conscious Mae West (1893–1980).

Getty Images

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Elvis Presley (1935–1977) -

One of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, Elvis Presley was always a snazzy dresser. This image of a suited Presley with cravat became the cover of the 1958 'Kid Creole' album.

Getty Images

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Karl Lagerfeld (1933–2019) -

Getty Images

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Peter O'Toole (1932–2013) -

Getty Images

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Laurence Olivier (1907–1989) -

A cravat was de rigueur for one of cinema's greatest actors, Laurence Olivier.

Getty Images

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Johnny Cash (1932–2003) -

The "Man in Black" chose to wear a blue vest and white cravat for his 1970 performance at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Getty Images

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Bette Davis (1908–1989) -

Getty Images

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Fernando Rey (1917–1994) -

Sporting a cravat, Spanish actor Fernando Rey is all smiles after having received a prize at Cannes for his role in 'Elisa, My Love' (1977).

Getty Images

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Prince (1958–2016) -

Prince's flamboyant and androgynous persona extended to his preferences in fashion, which often included wearing flowing scarves and neckties.

Getty Images

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Why the cravat is still tied in with celebrity style

The forerunner of the modern tailored necktie and bow tie is back in fashion

08/12/21 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Looks

The epitome of style and elegance in the 17th century, the cravat—a forerunner of the modern tailored necktie and bow tie—is a somewhat overlooked fashion accessory. The stylish neckband found favor in the 1940s and 1950s, with some of Hollywood's most famous leading men opting to wear colorful and print patterned cravats instead of drab and conventional ties. Women, too, would sometimes tie in their wardrobe with a cravat.

It was still being widely worn by celebrities in the 1970s, but in time the cravat fell out of fashion. Today, however, this fancy neckwear is back, seen decorating the necks of well-known actors, fashion designers, and entertainers.

Click through the following gallery and see how cool it is to wear a cravat.