The bow tie originates from the neckerchiefs that gentlemen used to wear. These scarves were folded in various shapes, which eventually led to the current bow shape. Since the end of the nineteenth century, the shape of bow ties has remained almost unchanged, although their popularity has varied greatly. Once an equal alternative to the tie, bow ties are now mainly worn on special occasions. The decline in popularity is partly due to the fact that many men do not know how to tie a bow tie, making the simple tie more often preferred.