How To Start Wearing An Ascot/Cravat

While ascots and cravats aren't nearly as popular as the common necktie (although popular than some other types of neckwear as stated in our Ultimate Neckwear Guide), they can be a fantastic addition to your wardrobe if you are looking for something bold and stylish.

Ascots and cravats come in a wide array of colours and patterns which makes them highly versatile if you want to dress up or down.

What Is The Difference Between A Cravat And An Ascot?

A cravat refers to any piece of neckwear including ascots, scarves, and ties. The term "cravat" originates from the Croatian soldiers who wore neckpieces during the Thirty Years War in the 1600s. These neckpieces were used to signify rank among the soldiers and became quite the fashionable piece of attire in the 1880s in the UK.

Ascots, sometimes referred to as "day cravats" depending on where you live, come in a variety of colours and patterns. They're made from a single piece of fabric (often silk, wool, or cotton) and have two wide ends. These wide ends are tied over one another around the neck and tucked into the shirt. This is what most people imagine when they hear the word "ascot" or "cravat".

For a more in-depth comparison and some interesting tidbits about the history of cravats and ascots, read our article Cravat? Ascot? What's The Difference?

Note: To avoid confusion, we will be referring to only day cravats in this article.

You Should NEVER Match Your Ascot And Pocket Square

When it comes to basic rules of men's style, one of the most important rules is to never match your tie and pocket square. The same rule applies to other forms of neckwear including ascots and bow ties, too. Exactly matching your pocket square to your neckwear shows a lack of creativity, laziness, and style inexperience. It also reduces visual appeal and interest in your overall appearance.

A simple and easy way to abide by this style rule is to wear a plain white pocket square. A plain white pocket square will work with any colour and pattern of suit and allow you to be as bold and colourful as you want with your neckwear. Every well-dressed gentleman should have at least one plain white pocket square in his collection.

If you want to take your style a step further, incorporate secondary and/or tertiary colours from one accessory into the other. The easiest way to accomplish this is to pick one accessory (either your neckwear or pocket square) that features at least three colours. 

Never match the main colour as your accessories will look too similar. Using a guide like this colour wheel will make finding the right colours a breeze.

Using patterns helps create visual interest, but too many can make an outfit look overly busy. It is good practice to have one accessory with a pattern and the other with a solid colour, especially if you have patterns like stripes on your shirt or windowpanes on your suit.

Try sticking to one or two patterns in your entire outfit when you're just starting out. Once you feel comfortable, you can incorporate more.

Note: When we say "match" we are referring to exact matching; colour, pattern, fabric, etc.

Ascots Can Be Worn At Home And Out

If you want to dress up while lounging around the house, simply pair your ascot with a nice housecoat or robe. This isn't very common today, but it was popular during the golden age of menswear when men did their best to look presentable all the time. You never know who may be knocking on your door or when an unexpected visitor may show up.

Ascots can also be worn out. Outings including dates, dinners, parties, and semi-formal get-togethers are all acceptable times to wear an ascot. You can wear them with just a long-sleeve dress shirt and jeans, but an outfit consisting of a sport coat and chinos will make your ascot garner more attention.

Ascots May Be Too Casual For Some Formal Occasions

Ascots are considered a casual form of neckwear, meaning they should not be worn at formal events that call for a strict dress code or specific outfit. Events such as black/white tie, funerals, and weddings are considered formal and usually have dress codes, and in these cases, it is best to adhere to this dress code as closely as possible. If there is no dress code, then follow the standard attire for the event (e.g. all black for funerals).

Although formal ascots are sometimes worn at weddings, be sure to check with the event planners first before wearing one as you would look out of place if everyone else was wearing a necktie or a bow tie. If formal ascots are worn at a wedding, they are usually colour coordinated with everyone else or reserved for the groom, best man, or guest of honour.

How Do You Tie An Ascot? Here's An Easy Way:

As with ties, there are different ways to tie an ascot. Here is an easy simple step-by-step guide on how to tie your ascot. You can use this method without a mirror and still end up with the desired result.

Step 1: Drape the ascot around your neck

Step 2: Pull one side down so that it is 3-6 inches longer than the other

Step 3: Cross the long end over the short end and wrap around it

Step 4: Cross and wrap again (and a third time if you want)

Step 5: Pass the large end up through the knot you just created

Step 6: Pull the knot under the end you just pulled up to tighten the ascot around your neck

Step 7: Adjust the large end to your preference and tuck it in your shirt

Here's a visual guide you can follow along with:

How To Tie Your Ascot For An Ultra Casual Look:

Some people like to be different and wear their ascot untucked. This is a form of sprezzatura that only the most confident stylish men can pull off. If you want to try this, be prepared to receive a lot of comparisons to Fred Jones from Scooby Doo.

If you want to wear an ascot this way, here are the steps:

Step 1: Drape the ascot around your neck so each end is equal

Step 2: Cross one end of the ascot over the other

Step 3: Pull the ascot tight

This method may cause the ascot to loosen over time so you may have to pull the ends of the ascot tight every now and then. You can also tuck it in and only have the top button of your dress shirt undone for an understated look.

Ascots Can Be A Great Statement And/Or Signature Piece 

Every intentionally well-dressed man has at least one statement piece in their wardrobe. This is an article of clothing or accessory that draws attention, has significant meaning (like an heirloom piece), or helps express the wearer's personality. 

For most men, it could be a nice watch that had once belonged to their grandfather, a pair of cufflinks they received on their wedding day, or a signature fragrance.

If you like wearing ascots and feel like your outfit isn't complete without one, consider making ascots your statement piece. They're not very common outside of the United Kingdom so people will quickly associate them with you, helping make you unforgettable.

Wearing An Ascot Will Get You Compliments 

Ascots aren't nearly as common as neckties and haven't been widely popular since the 1960s; however, they are really good at attracting compliments. Their bright, bold, and often colourful designs are eye-catching, and most people want to know what you are wearing. Although often mistaken for a scarf or bandana, a compliment is a compliment nonetheless.

You may see ascots worn in some countries like the UK, but they aren't nearly as common in North America. If you want to be a trendsetter or stand out from the crowd, incorporate an ascot!

Summary

Ascots are an often overlooked and underappreciated accessory that most people don't even think about when they're putting an outfit together. Incorporating one into your outfit will make you more memorable and charismatic. They're outgoing, fun, and often a conversation piece that can help break the ice.

If you are interested in purchasing an ascot, be sure to look at our affiliate Fort & Stone. They create high-quality ascots, pocket squares, and scarves that won't break the bank.

Looking for more information on ascots? Here are some other articles we have written on ascots/cravats:

How To Properly Roll An Ascot (So you can store them in a drawer without them getting wrinkled)

How To Care For Your Ascots (So you can keep wearing them for years to come)

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