Well, there was a little confusion around chez Will this past weekend, and the photos for today's post seem to still be at the studio while some photos for the web store are where the post photos were supposed to be. So though we did write about them in the not too distant past today's post is in praise of the ascot. Hopefully, you did want to be reminded about ascots. 
Heir to the legacy of the day cravate, such as it is, the ascot is along with the neckerchief one of the few effective ways to dress up an open dress shirt collar when a necktie is either inappropriate or undesireable. Worn with an open collar but a buttoned shirt body under a jacket or a sweater (that is to say a jumper for those in England), the ascot adds a discreet half an inch of color to the neckline. Like the necktie it replaces, an ascot should be color compatible with the other elements of the day's clothing, but different in pattern.
The look may be discreet but there are those men who fear the ascot. Fortunately, those fears tend to be based on apprehension rather than experience. Few people under the age of sixty remember the time in our history when ascot wearing was the province of the ineffectual comedic subject on more than one weekly television series.
Again, for any man who may have missed the point, the import of the ascot (and the neckerchief for that matter) stems principally from the simple fact that the base of the neck is not the most attractive part of the male anatomy. It is better covered, and wearing roll necks/turtlenecks gets old after a while. So, we praise the ascot. As should you.
Monday, January 18, 2010
In Praise of the Ascot
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
9 comments:
i totally agree!
i'm not afraid. though my wife doesn't understand. (she's more a fan of dirty jeans and grubby tees, so my ascot-wearing frequency is not as high as i would like.)
Unfortunately, there are re-runs. But I wear one on occasion regardless!
Hello Will
I have been reading every article in your blog for the last few months and have learnt a lot from you.
I have read other posts you have made about ascots and I don't get it, can you explain some things to a newbie or give some links? What is an ascot, what is a neckerchief and what is a cravat ( cravate? ) ?
I have a quite long neck so I am trying to find ways for it not to look disproportionate, I am also 6'3" and thin. I have just started wearing turtlenecks and they work:) So I would like to try things like ascots as well. Are they to be worn only with an open collared shirt? Would they work with a short sleeved polo shirt in summer? Other ideas?
From one of your other articles, I think, I got the conclusion that a good start would be a navy ascot with white polka dots which would be quite versatile. Are there some other basic ascots you would recommend for a start? Thanks
Panagiotis,
For informal day wear, a cravat is just another name for the ascot. Either cravat or ascot are worn with the collar button open, or it is not visible.
Ascots are a good choice with polos.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascot_tie
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neckerchief
I'll add that the ascot has a function beyond the aesthetic one that Will mentioned. A silk ascot is pleasantly warm. It keeps the wearer very snug on cool, damp, or breezy days. It's much like a turtleneck, with the advantage that the proportions are more flattering than those of a turtleneck for many men.
However, as a matter of making a good impression, the ascot remains questionable. The unfortunate fact is that I have never seen a respected man in a position of authority wearing an ascot in public--at least not in recent decades. The would-be ascot wearer must face the cold fact: it is difficult to package oneself for success by dressing in a way that is noticeably different from all other successful people, especially when the most famous wearer of the item in question is Hugh Hefner.
But thanks to Will for championing this worthwhile cause. I hope he is able to overturn the prejudice against this handsome and highly functional accessory.
What is it that makes the neck an unattractive part of the male anatomy? I think it would benefit readers, myself very much included, to explain why this is rather than merely accept it as a given. This seems, in part, culturally determined as I don't think this view holds across cultures. Please say more as it would further shed light on this topic. Many thanks.
I have to chime in on the "yes" to the ascot chorus. I've gotten nothing but compliments when I wear one, and I wear them frequently.
Matt,
Men in positions of authority show that authority by wearing neckties. The ascot is for personal time.
P.S.: I love the dotted one in Will's collection. Who made it?
"it is difficult to package oneself for success by dressing in a way that is noticeably different from all other successful people"
I was thinking the very same thing this morning, when I noticed a picture of David Cameran looking pretty dreadful delivering a talk with his jacket off and shirt coming untucked. He's known to wear Savile row suits, and I bet his trousers had braces buttons in (they certainly didn't have belt loops), but I suppose he knows that these days no-one will vote for a man who wears braces in public. More's the pity, too.
Perhaps he should just learn to keep his jacket on.
As far as the Ascot goes, I'm very tempted, but haven't made the leap of faith yet. I suspect it may not be something I can get away with until I'm a bit older, but then I thought they same about a trilby and that didn't stop me...
Matt, I wouldn't agree with your view that a cravat would be detrimental to success.
It's a casual item of clothing.
If you're referring to success in terms of career advancement casual clothing is by and large 'off the radar'.
As a foot note to this a neckerchief is standard kit in Rock, Salcombe and East Portlemouth etc - all stuffed to the gunnels with The City's finest.
MCCVI, your comment reminds me of an observation made when I was younger on why 'older men' leave more buttons undone on their shirts... "the sternum is the only part left without a layer of fat". It still makes me smile.
Post a Comment