I haven't written about the ascot, more formally known as the day cravat, since this past summer, and the other day brought a box containing two dotted silk twills that I had ordered from my friend Anit at Cravate Royale (the third one in the photo came from Ben Silver). That package brought the subject to the top of my mind once again so here we are.
First and foremost, be not deterred by residual memories of ascot-wearing idiots in old television series. Worn with a jacket instead of a necktie, or with a sweater, ascots add a little color and fill in the space left by an open shirt collar. And, unless a man wears his with three open shirt buttons, the effect is nothing more than a subtle improvement of the day's look. He was wearing a neckerchief rather than an ascot but think Cary Grant on the motor boat in To Catch a Thief.
Between most men and such elegance lie three barriers. First, he must own one. Fortunately, Cravate Royale's ascots are available at Wilkes Bashford and Stanley Korshak on the United States.
Second, men who are uncertain how to knot their ascot will find a short video at the web site of clothier Ben Silver (the only quibble I have with the instructions is that I find the ascot considerably easier to arrange if I don it before I put on my shirt).
And finally, a man has to wear one publicly to prove to himself that others will not stare, nor will small children hide behind their mother's skirts at the sight. Wearing an ascot for the first time is much like trying out a fedora. After an initial successful experience, pride in the improved look will surmount any residual discomfort.
Remember the ascot.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Remember the Ascot
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9 comments:
Public wearing is the major hurdle with all new things. Once cleared however a new comfort level is achieved and the next 'new thing' is a little easier.
I like to wear an ascot to a small 'black box' theater my wife and I attend. The shows are a little more challenging for the audience and the attitude is casual/theatrical.
I believe that wearing madder silk at the neck is a most delightful way to shield a a sensitive area in the chill, and thus is a soothing thing to feel as well as balancing thing to wear.
So yes, I am all for the ascot and its future.
I agree wholeheartedly. Well worth the risk factor. I also like to wear them to the theater. Have been seeing a few more of them of late and hope that as a viable alternative to a plain open collar, they gather a bit more steam.
May I also suggest something that, to some, might seem sacrilege: a silk cravat worn with a (plain) polo shirt.
Believe me, it just gives that everyday item that unexpected ‘lift’. Friends of mine who have taken my advice and tried it end up approving.
I remember donning my first fedora. It required a stretch of confidence on my part, and with time good taste won out - I now enjoy a hat wardrobe.
I find that I am revisiting those same feelings of trepidation now that I am looking at, and wearing bow ties more and more in lieu of four-in-hands. Hopefully all I need is some time to warm up to them.
It is my luck that I wear ascots - a habit picked up after hats - with the same ease as sweaters. I find them civil.
Thanks Will, a timely posting. I'll be attending my sister's wedding in Yorkshire shortly and fully intend to give the blazer-Ascot combo a look-in for those times when I'm not kitted out in lounge-suit/morning coat/DJ etc. I have a couple of Ascots I rescued from my granddad a while back but was thinking about buying something a bit more subtle. I'm sure my like-minded friend and future brother-in-law will be reading this and planning the same.
For the gun-shy out there...
Try a simple bandanna with your sweater, polo shirt, or button down. You can tie it just like a four-in-hand, or skip the last step and let one end drape just like the ascot. It really keeps you fresh in hot and humid weather.
Then you can venture into silk ascots more easily.
Like pocket squares - - I keep buying 'em but rarely wear them. I find the look affected for a younger man. A little gray hair helps keep the "tool" factor down. I guess that's why I keep buying them. That gray day appears to be approaching quickly.
Will: thanks for this post. The brilliance of the day cravat is its informality, wearing something underneath the shirt rather than over it. It's for all the times when one doesn't need or want to wear the formal tie. I find that most of the public is completely unaware of what it is or that this item even exists, and thus notice it much less than those of us in the know.
tintin: As with any other time, confidence is what passes or fails it. If you think ascots are for "tools", you'll look like one no matter how old you are.
As it happens, I believe your assumption is completely backward. The stereotypical rich idiot who wore an ascot in an old TV show was invariably an older man. Thus, being younger makes for less liability and less to worry about if you choose to don the ascot.
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