Ties, Bowties or Cravats

[thanmuwa]

I got one of those ruche ties but I hated it so much I gave it away to a friend straight away. I have a Brian Baru Jacket (I know the spelling is wrong, but that is way it is spelt for the jacket style unfortunately) and I think the self-tie bow-tie looks the dog's with it.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I decided that I wanted to wear a cravat to a couple of Burns Suppers this past January, to replace my cheap, pre-tied bow tie, and I researched a few web sites. I decided that I definitely wanted the traditional self-tie cravat, and eventually bought a simple black silk one from the Gentleman's Jabot site that Puffer linked to earlier in this thread. I'm more than pleased with the way the look turned out, and think this has definitely replaced my bow tie for formal events. What do you think about the comparison?

Solid black neck tie:


Solid black bow tie:


Solid black cravat:


It would have been ideal if I had a picture showing the cravat with the same Highland Granite kilt as in the first two pics, and some of the other accessories are different, of course, but you get the general idea. There is so much of our Highland Dress, especially in the more formal elements of fashion, that is inspired by the nineteenth century. I think the cravat is one elegant way of alluding to this earlier era that still is in keeping with modern fashion and style.

[McClef]

They each have their place depending upon the look one wishes to achieve.

I have several Ruche ties and wore them at all formal events. I only just got a black bow tie last month for the Ferintosh Burns Supper and I think it will be having more outings!

(That's the tie in the avatar!)

[Jock Scot]

Crumbs Mat! I could not live with your book shelf! It makes my eyes go all squiffy.I can't see any ties.

[McMurdo]

It all depends on the outfit you are wearing for example to my eye anyway a bow tie would not look right with the following


and a 4 in hand or cravat would not look right with this


It all depends on the formality of the event and the rest of your outfit. One word of advise if you are going to wear a bow tie then wear one that you have to tie yourself, in the long run they look far superior.

As for the cravat the closest thing I have is the Ruche tie and I only wore that once

[DWFII]

Personal opinion, based on years of wearing cravats: Neither a ruche tie (which, if it is hand-tied, is a form of cravat) nor a cravat look good with a waistcoat that has a a low gorge. If you notice Matt's waistcoat, as well as Puffer's, they are five button waistcoats and the high gorge gathers and frames the cravat nicely.

When worn with a low cut waistcoat, cravats just tend to look like unruly scraps of fabric and a bit of an afterthought.

BTW, a nice stick pin worn high in the cravat will really set it off. I have a beautiful large red sapphire stick pin set in sterling that draws the eye and calls to mind a certain bygone opulence that is hard to duplicate nowadays.

[KFCarter]

I'd agree with DWFII that cravats need the "frame" that a five button waistcoat provides. Hadn't thought about a stick pin... nice touch.

[fluter]

I decided that I wanted to wear a cravat to a couple of Burns Suppers this past January, to replace my cheap, pre-tied bow tie,

Matt, I agree that the cravat looks marvelous. However we've got to get you a real bow tie, just in case you need it!

Glen, I think a bow tie can work for day wear. To prove it, I need to acquire some more solid colored ones; my patterned ones do not cut it with tartan.

[puffer]

Personal opinion, based on years of wearing cravats: Neither a ruche tie (which, if it is hand-tied, is a form of cravat) nor a cravat look good with a waistcoat that has a a low gorge. If you notice Matt's waistcoat, as well as Puffer's, they are five button waistcoats and the high gorge gathers and frames the cravat nicely.

When worn with a low cut waistcoat, cravats just tend to look like unruly scraps of fabric and a bit of an afterthought.

.

As to "modern" wear,I also tend to agree. But I have seen "properly Tied" cravats worn with "lower" cut Waistcoats & the individuals where able to "pull it off"

NOTE - Cravats reached their pinnacle of fashion during the time of Breau Bremmell. & carried on into the Victorian period. (IMHO, our concept of "formal" Scots wear ( including the Jabot, which is a cravat. ) dates from these periods.) I would recommend duing some research into these earas. Here is a start - http://www.georgianindex.net/tailors/tailor.html

Also "Google" regency & Victorian clothing, Another GREAT source ofwearing these styles of neckwear can come from your local Jane Austen society etc.

Puffer

[puffer]

I can't look at the pictures, Puffer. Anyway, I've been wondering if there were something to take the place of a four-in-hand tie when wearing a daywear jacket and five button waistcoat. Perhaps an ASCOT would work?

Ted, an ASCOT is, IMHO, is BEST worn as follows:

1. Casual = shirt ( short or long sleeve & either standard collar or button down) with an open collar ( NOTE _ The ASCOT is best worn under the shirt ) here is the idea http://www.elegantascot.com/silkpatterns.html
2. "Relaxed Day wear" & eve out = Add a Day wear Jacket ( Tweed, Crail, etc.)
3. A little more dressy look can be optained by adding a low cut casual vest

Puffer