Historically, ties have been worn to denote social rank and gender. Traditionally, men's ties have been larger in size and have a wider neck opening than women's.
Ties have also been used to indicate a sense of belonging. Some clubs and associations wear patterned ties as a way to distinguish themselves from others. A striped tie with an emblem or crest centered and placed where the tie pin normally would be is known as a "membership" tie.
Some neckties also have a distinctive texture or material. The most common material is silk. However, a number of other materials are available, including wool, cashmere and cotton.
Many of these fabrics are natural, but there are some synthetic fibers that have been developed for ties. Often, these are more expensive and have the advantage of being durable and easy to care for.
Ties also have the advantage of allowing a person to be creative and show off their style. For example, a man with an interesting collection of ties can choose one with a unique pattern or color.
The necktie has evolved over time and today it is a symbol of power, wealth, success and a sense of pride for its wearer. The subtleties of a tie's design, color and knot can reveal a lot about its wearer.