How to tie a tie: Ascot

Tired of the shirt-and-tie look? An Ascot or knotted scarf can add a special flair. This knot should be easy for anyone who knows the Four in Hand.

And even if you don't know the Four in Hand, this knot is pretty simple: Over, Under, Around, and Through.

Step 1 Ready?

First, find an Ascot. That's probably the hardest part of this whole process. I wanted a silk one for a holiday party, and couldn't find one to my taste at any of the shops downtown. I ended up ordering one over the Internet from Italy.

If you can't find a pre-formed Ascot, this style of tie will work with a thin scarf.

Unbutton your collar and a few buttons. Place the cloth around your neck, with one side slightly longer than the other.

Comments

[khaz]

Hello.

Thanks for your instructions. I've been wearing a foulard myself for some time (I call it this way). I've been looking for some information about it and I found an article on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascot_tie

There is a distinction between the day cravat and highly formal dress cravat. First one is worn against the skin - so it is the one you have shown. The other is worn against the collar. There is another site about these:

http://www.dress-better.com/page5.php

I've got an ascot similar to yours and I wear it against the skin and the collar as well. Against the collar looks much more formal (and classy), especially with bow-tie collar shirt (I don't know the exact name of such a shirt/collar in English - on Wikipedia I found the name 'Cossack collar', but I bought myself a shirt of this kind with a collar that is fixed). I think there is another kind of foulard/day cravat, resembling a tie with both ends of similar/the same width (though I couldn't find the website in my bookmarks, look at the picture). I suppose that Robert Downey Jr. was wearing this kind of foulard in the restaurant while having dinner with Watson and Mary.

Best regards,

Khaz.

[quahog_convo]

Thanks for this. I just got into ascots recently and I'll be using your guide tomorrow! :D

[LividMonkey]

Seems to be an impressive and different look for dinner parties. I'm gonna have to try this next time I go out. Has a somewhat ostentatious air about it, and not so formal as the full windsor.