[Pipps]

T...if your friends already consider you odd...

I only wish they did. The problem is, they're perfectly comfortable with the way I dress!

As to being "significantly smarter than most of my friends," well, you are an AAAC member after all!

Indeed, Sir! It is my duty!

...in the worst case, you'll most likely be taken by strangers as a Yank imitating an Englishman imitating an Englishman.

Good point! Although I'm not sure whether that would make my friends more or less concerned about my increasingly decorated personal presentation!

 

[Pipps]

With a younger man, they generally look like "costume."

I think you make an excellent point here. I completely agree.

To add to this predicament, I would not only be the only man in my group of friends to have ever donned a cravat, but without doubt the only person any of my friends have ever met who has been so bold (or rather, eccentric!) to wear a cravat!

The silk scarf mention by ToryBoy is also a great idea. But I'm not sure now whether this would be better or worse. I note Will's mention of such an accessory, on his legendary blog. But would a thin silk scarf, to the uninitiated, appear somewhat feminine?

One thing's for sure - I certainly won't be able to buy one in Drakes. Ouch!

 

[The Louche]

I gotta say don't do it - you're too young. Not that I don't appreciate tha reasons that you're considering this - to the contrary. Its just that too many people your age will want to beat you up for wearing an ascot. I wish this weren't the case but it is. I'm in my twenties and I get enough funny looks just for wearing a pocket square or the occasional bow tie (I consider both to be much more "socially acceptable" than an ascot).

In fact, years ago I worked in a restaurant in Annapolis, MD (a relatively well-dressed place). There was a guy in his twenties that came in regularly and wore an ascot. He was universally known as "that weird f***ing silk scarf kid." Lots of the staff expressed disdain for him. I'm not saying it's fair; I'm just tellin' it like it is.

 

[Flanderian]

The silk scarf mention by ToryBoy is also a great idea. But I'm not sure now whether this would be better or worse. I note Will's mention of such an accessory, on his legendary blog. But would a thin silk scarf, to the uninitiated, appear somewhat feminine?

Once-upon-a-time, silk scarves could be purchased as 18" or 20" squares in the same sort of silk and the same sort of colors and patterns now commonly used for pocket squares. These could be folded all sorts of ways and tied. They could even approximate the appearance of a cravat, or they could folded even more casually. Haven't seen them in a while. Probably gone the way of the Wooly Mammoth.

As to feminine appearance, that depends upon the wearer.

 

[Preu Pummel]

I wear a cravat sometimes... yes, I'm over 40, barely.

But, the simple "flap over" way is pretty ostentatious and I never wear it (aside from weddings). My only way of wearing a public, every day cravat is with a vest and in a rusch knot so it appears more like a tie and less like a flaring napkin jammed in my neck. The flair is folded together and pinned (cravat pin, but usually a tie chain).

Also, I don't recommend showy silks or designs. The ascot-like-a-wedding is best reserved for ultra artsy events or areas, if not worn casually around the house with visitors. Even then, I wear one maybe 6 or 8 times a year as an accessory with some eccentricity.

A lot of people like to go flambo, and if you have the personality, why not? But, if you are a conservative person and a conservative dresser, think twice on any cravats outside of weddings or ceremonies.

 

[JLibourel]

I was mulling this thread over this morning:

I note that that ascot/day cravat is endorsed by such sartorial authorities as Roetzel, Alan Flusser, wardrobe blogster and forum mensch Will Boehlke and our own Andy Gilchrist, who encouraged me to purchase three ascots at once.

On the the other hand, Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" fame is vehemently opposed to ascots/cravats.

So, gentlemen, which team do you want to be associated with: "Team Classic" or "Team Queer Eye"?

As for wearing the cravat being inappropriate for a young man, quite a few of my friends at Oxford wore them. Admittedly, that was a long time ago. I wore them quite a bit when I was in my 30s but then somehow got out of the habit and only resumed it on an occasional basis only about a year or so before discovering the clothing forum community.

 

[ToryBoy]

Is it really a contest?

On the the other hand, Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" fame is vehemently opposed to ascots/cravats.

So, gentlemen, which team do you want to be associated with: "Team Classic" or "Team Queer Eye"?

Same winner every time and it is not the Fab Five.

I find it strange that the sometimes badly dressed Fab Five are trying to give fashion advice.

 

[DocHolliday]

I was mulling this thread over this morning:

I note that that ascot/day cravat is endorsed by such sartorial authorities as Roetzel, Alan Flusser, wardrobe blogster and forum mensch Will Boehlke and our own Andy Gilchrist, who encouraged me to purchase three ascots at once.

Roetzel also endorses the incredibly tacky Hermes H belt:

Flusser, meanwhile, dresses like this:

I think I have to side with Carson on this one.

 

[Blueboy1938]

Cravat with morning coat. Otherwise, risk ridicule.

 

[bigdukesix]

I wear them almost every day. in fact, i just bought three last week.

I tend to wear them casually, with cords, jeans, moleskins,etc. I leave the top button of my shirt open, so it shows only slightly.

My colleagues gave me a little razzing at first, but not anymore.

My two cents-one can wear a button down and chinos and look like anyone else on the street. A cravat gives it a little pop.

 

[heimskringla]

I used to wear them for fun in my late teens/very early 20's... ascots as well. I don't really care for them anymore.

 

[Literide]

Cravat with morning coat. Otherwise, risk ridicule.

FIH with morning coat

Cravat = casual

Ascot = Victorian or rented morning attire

Ascots are dead

Cravats alive and well

See this illustrated guide
https://askandyaboutclothes.com/community/showpost.php?p=846481&postcount=99

 

[Literide]

Roetzel also endorses the incredibly tacky Hermes H belt:

Flusser, meanwhile, dresses like this:

I think I have to side with Carson on this one.

He's an old man now. At least he hasnt gone "Members Only"

 

[Literide]

I was mulling this thread over this morning:

I note that that ascot/day cravat is endorsed by such sartorial authorities as Roetzel, Alan Flusser, wardrobe blogster and forum mensch Will Boehlke and our own Andy Gilchrist, who encouraged me to purchase three ascots at once.

On the the other hand, Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" fame is vehemently opposed to ascots/cravats.

So, gentlemen, which team do you want to be associated with: "Team Classic" or "Team Queer Eye"?

As for wearing the cravat being inappropriate for a young man, quite a few of my friends at Oxford wore them. Admittedly, that was a long time ago. I wore them quite a bit when I was in my 30s but then somehow got out of the habit and only resumed it on an occasional basis only about a year or so before discovering the clothing forum community.

Why would Carson even be mentioned on this forum?

 

[Pipps]

... "that weird f***ing silk scarf kid."...

Dear Louche

Great to find another twenty-something member of AAAC! And my word... you wear a pocket square, and even a bow tie, when spending time with your friends? They must be a rather tolerant bunch! At least by my social standards.

Your comment on your recollection of the 'weird silk scarf kid' had me in stitches! But you're absolutely right. This truly is how it is. I seam to keep things smart, yet relatively beyond reproach with my friends. But I must admit, if I were even as daring as you by wearing a bow tie amongst them, I would be tatters in seconds. And the legacy would remain for years. Whilst I do feel a sense of duty to be an ambassador for sartorial standards when out in the wide world, I would draw the line at undergoing the level of criticism or ridicule that religious martyrs have been forced to endure, for the way they embodied what they believe.

Perhaps I should retain my admiration of the cravat as purely a personal reserve?

 

[Pipps]

... if you are a conservative person and a conservative dresser, think twice on any cravats outside of weddings or ceremonies.

I am indeed both, and so I note your advice very strongly in bold letters on my page!

Thank you :icon_smile:

 

[JLibourel]

FIH with morning coat

Cravat = casual

Ascot = Victorian or rented morning attire

Ascots are dead

Cravats alive and well

See this illustrated guide
https://askandyaboutclothes.com/community/showpost.php?p=846481&postcount=99

You live in NYC and I presume you are an American. I assume you don't ask for "vests" when shopping from undershirts and that when people say "pants," they don't mean "underpants."

We Americans use the term "ascot" to denote two somewhat similar but distinct pieces of neckwear--the casual garment the English call a "day cravat" and the archaic piece of neckwear in shown in the linked post.

 

[Pipps]

So, gentlemen, which team do you want to be associated with: "Team Classic" or "Team Queer Eye"?

Dear JLibourel (HRH King Fop!)

Oh how I wish I could be a Fop in my every day dress, and not be minded by anyone at all. In fact, there is a street not too far from my home - it is called 'Fop Street'. It's a lovely road, near the middle of nowhere in the countryside, and with some exquisite old country houses lining it. I wish I lived there. I know I would experience a moment of glee, every time I wrote my address on the front of my correspondence. That would be the life for me... at Fop Street! I dearly mean it! :icon_smile:

Anyway, back to the business of this thread!

I am absolutely in awe of the way you have positioned this sartorial imperative. You have made the decision almost as abundantly clear as Emanuel Kant's very own Categorical Imperative, of which I am a big fan.

However, I should probably also mention at this juncture that I am a fan of Kant's Categorical Imperative chiefly from an academic point of view. And I very much wish that my own cravat decision could be boiled down to as essential a choice as whether I would like to be effectively straight or gay, in a sartorial sense, in the path which I chose. I know for sure that Kant himself would compel me to observe my duty, but I am not so sure what exactly my duty is, here. You see, I am still nursing a little concern that should I choose what I think is the straight road, that everyone else around me might think I've opted for the queer way!

And that would undoubtedly give rise to no end of unwanted attention!
"Oh Pipps, that's a very nice bag you're wearing." And oh Pipps, it doesn't happen to match the tone of leather of your belt, watch strap and shoes, does it Pipps?" "And oh Pipps, I have a cousin who would be right up your street!"

A cousin, you say? And someone noticed my bloody bag belt and shoes for once? Well then come to think of it, perhaps this cravat business could pay off for me after all! :icon_smile_wink:

 

[Pipps]

You live in NYC and I presume you are an American. I assume you don't ask for "vests" when shopping from undershirts and that when people say "pants," they don't mean "underpants.

Wait a second... If the honourable gentleman is walking around in public in a vest, pants and an ascot, then something might seem a little amiss from where I'm standing!

Unless of course it's at one of those artsy events? :icon_smile_wink:

 

[Pipps]

This a cravat:

Dear Cravat wearers of the adult world...

I have one small question on a tangent from the earlier referenced discussion:

Is a cravat usually worn this high? I have only previous seen cravats worn well below the level of the undone top button of a shirt.

A cravat tied in this fashion looks elegant and luxurious. But is it the norm? And again, would it be recommend? (Within cravat-circles, that is?)