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How Do You Tie an Ascot?
I love pocket squares and Ascots. These are somewhat lost on most guys but a really cool & distinctive element. Ascots are not always appropriate but often work well when dressing with Jean and a blazer but want to “formalize” the neck area. I often use them with suits and have a variety of thing silk scarfs that meet semi-ascot criteria.
Do you have any suggestions for tying ascots outside of the traditional? Do you wear Ascots or silk scarfs as a tie substitute? What can you suggest along the silk accessory front? I do not want to be taken for a British dandy but also like to have my freedom in this type of accessory.
You can find a lot of guides out there, but the “simple knot” that you should be using works like this:
1) Drape the ascot around your neck with the wide ends flat on your chest, one end six to eight inches longer than the other. The narrow part of the ascot should lie underneath the fold of your collar. Your collar should be unbuttoned, and it may help to have the top shirtfront button undone as well.
2) Wrap the longer end all the way around the shorter end once.
3) Bring the longer end around the front of the shorter end a second time, then up through the loop around your neck.
4) Drape the longer end down on top of the knot you’ve created. Unlike a necktie, it does NOT tuck through itself to tie off.
5) Instead, smooth both ends out (the longer end should be lying flat on top of the shorter end now, with a thick bundle up under your chin) and tuck both ends inside of your shirt.
6) Button up to the top shirtfront button, but leave the collar button undone.
You may find guides to tying an “ascot knot” that looks a lot more complicated than this. That’s a knot meant for use with the dress cravat, a stiffer and more formal piece than the patterned cravats that some men are wearing casually in contemporary style. You don’t need to be tying it unless you’re attending a historical recreation.
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