The tie story
The usual accessory of the modern man is the tie that decorates his neck. Usually they were always formal but nowadays they become more and more free adding the spice to the suit. I think you will agree with me that any formal people such as the President, the congressman, the police worker, etc. are associated in the suit with a tie.
The ancestor of the tie was the simple kerchief that was already worn by the Roman soldiers. In 1660 the Croatian soldiers were also wearing the silk kerchiefs on their necks. It was their ancient national tradition. When they came to Paris, the French king liked the idea and put on the kerchief too showing it to all guests. Soon this fashion was brought to the British Isles and in 150 years there was no gentleman who imagined his suit without the kerchief.
In the end of 19th century the tie appeared from the kerchief. And when the suit started to be made more strict and severe, men started to pay much attention to the tie that was the last its decoration.
In the beginning of 19th century the whole science on the tie one's necktie appeared. There were even the manuals written. Honore de Balzac was one of the authors of such manual.
The black ties were put on as the part of the formal mourning clothes; the white tie was the part of the holiday suit and was put on during celebrations and balls. It had to be worn either with the tailcoat or with the dinner jacket but not with the jacket.