what did the neck tie start off as, what was it's purpose. it seem that all google does is try to sell.?

Answer 1

Check out this site, has the answers for your question but too long of a response to post.

Answer 2

This is just a guess on my part, but they started off as scarves to keep one warm, then gradually, they became a Cravat, then as styles changed, they were reduced to a neck tie. It's all just a fashion statement, to make men, look dressed up. It's hard to think of being dressed up, and not in a suit and tie.
Cravat gets it's name as it was a neck scarf worn by Croatian Soldiers in the seventeenth century.