Definition of the word stickpin

The term "stickpin" originated in the late 1800s in the United States, as a type of mens' dress accessory. Before the invention of neckties, men wore neckwear known as cravats, which were large and often elaborate pieces of fabric tied around the neck in a variety of ways. However, the excessive use of cravats led to issues with their functionality, as they made it difficult to wear collared shirts. In response to this problem, men began to adopt a simpler form of neckwear, known as the necktie or tie. Ties allowed for more versatility in neckwear, as they were smaller in size and less cumbersome than cravats. However, neckties still required a specific type of collar to hold them in place, known as the bib or tab collar. The collar fasteners required to secure these collars were typically small items, such as buttons or clasps. However, some men found these fasteners to be too bulky or distracting, and they desired a simpler solution. In response to this demand, a new type of collar fastener emerged, known as the stickpin. Stickpins were small, slender pins made of metal, typically gold or silver, which were worn through a small hole in the collar to hold the tie in place. They were called "stickpins" because they resembled small, narrow sticks, and they were favored by men who preferred a clean, minimalist necktie look. The term "stickpin" became widely recognized during the early 1900s as a popular accessory for formal occasions, but it fell out of fashion by the mid-20th century as most modern men preferred more versatile and functional neckwear options, such as the necktie with a conventional button or hook-and-eye fastening. Regardless, the term "stickpin" remains a historical term associated with men's fashion trends of the late 1800s and early 1900s.