French cravat

[Mychael Sporrano]

Does anyone have any good advice for the proper way to wear a French cravat with a traditional kilt? Is it best tied long and tucked into the kilt, tied long and allowed to obscure the belt buckle, or tied short so that its end comes to the top of the kilt's waist? Is it entirely personal preference?

Wearing a waistcoat of course makes this problem a non-issue, but for those times when that is too dressy, what is the properly dressed fella to do?

Mychael

[The Wizard of BC]

Cravet should never be worn without waistcoat. It's length should be about the bottom of the sternum, and be tucked neatly into the waistcoat. If it a fancy one with lace or fringed edges, those edges may be left free, but there will still be a plain tail to tuck in.

[mcnice]

how could i forget that, we were talking n a another thread about traditional wear.
in fact the cravat is one other and i think the last big folklore clothes that managed to raise the world.

it come from croatia, then the french tied it "a la croate" and out came the cravat.

as for wearing it with kilt wothout waistcoat i were them just coming top of the kilt, shwoing the buckle when worn. thats just me and i feel the topic as a personal prefernce.

[Muddy]

Mycheal, I think what you are referring to
I have also seen called a "highland cravat"
and I found some pictures of it at:
www.tartanweb.com
They used to have them in long and short versions.
Both look cool.
Go to the website and select "highland dress catalog"
the hit "outfits" and from there select "formal wear"
down the page to the left of the picture there is
a drop down "select" "montrose with cravat"
you'll find a good picture of what I think you are talking aboot. There are some more pics if you go
back up to "outfits" again and go to "jackets/capes"
and then look at both "strachan" and "sherrifmuir"
there are little pics down the page that you can hit
and enlarge two times. They used to have more pics than that of it and maybe still do if you search around a little bit.....hope this helps you.
I found a nice off-white silk one at the second hand
store for $5 bucks! I like the look.
Regards,
Muddy

[Muddy]

P.S.....if you are talking about what
I think you are (and a look at the website
will tell you) you definately do NOT tuck it
into your waistcoat. That's a regular cravat,
more commonly called simply a "tie" LOL....
A version of this cravat was worn by the romans
and, I seem to remember, by Russell Crowe and others in "Master and Commander"...........

[Mychael Sporrano]

Mycheal, I think what you are referring to I have also seen called a "highland cravat"

I have a Highland cravat as well that I picked up from Tartan Web to wear with my Geoffrey Doublet. The traditional lacy jabot and cuffs are a little too much for me, and the HC made a good alternative. Interestingly enough, the only place I found one was at Tartan Web.

What I was wondering about is the standard everyday neck tie and how best to wear it with a kilt.

it come from croatia, then the french tied it "a la croate" and out came the cravat.

as for wearing it with kilt wothout waistcoat i were them just coming top of the kilt, shwoing the buckle when worn.

Interesting! I always like knowing where words come from.

Here is a pic from the KA website of a tie being tucked in. It also appears that a cummerbund is being worn:



Here is another with the tie hanging free and to the top of the belt:



Here we see the tie worn with waistcoat:



Here is a pic of the Highland cravat for those who might be wondering just what it is. It comes in long and short, this example from the camp of the former:



Finally... How about a Jabot with waistcoat in funky matching tartan?!



Mychael

[macwilkin]

Mychael,

I've seen fellows wearing their ties both ways, either tucked into the kilt, or worn out and over the belt buckle. I think it's really a matter of personal style, although I wonder if wearing it tucked in does some damage to the tie, especially if it is a silk tie, a la Ben Silver, Brooks Brothers, etc.

A lot of of it is how you tie our tie, as in what knot you use. A "bigger" knot, such as a full windsor, will make the tie shorter, and then no need to tuck it in.

I like the Highland cravat, especially in that last photo with the matching tartan vest! If you look at pictures of Highlanders from the 18th century, you will see some of the Highland gentlemen wearing matching tartan vests, whilst others wear hose in one tartan, a kilt in another, and jacket & waistcoat in a third! :mrgreen:

He needs to get rid of the white hose, though...

Cheers,

T.

[Mychael Sporrano]

I guess that it is all good!

Mychael

[Mychael Sporrano]

I think it's really a matter of personal style, although I wonder if wearing it tucked in does some damage to the tie, especially if it is a silk tie, a la Ben Silver, Brooks Brothers, etc.

I have a very nice golden colored silk tie that, despite my use of a Windsor knot, does necessitate its being tucked into the top of my kilt. Yes, it does noticeably spindle the silk. I love that tie paired with lovat green jacket and waistcoat and my County Armagh kilt and I have dedicated it to that purpose.

Mychael

[macwilkin]

I'm the same way, Mychael...I have a very nice Brooks Brothers tie in a kelly green with light blue and gold fluer-de-lis that I wear only with my say jacket and kilt -- the green of the tie is almost a perfect match to the green in my tartan.

Cheers,

T.