Welcome back to the Gentleman's Gazette! In this video, we discuss Cravats, Ascots, how
to tie them and what mistakes to avoid.
How to tie an Ascot? Here are three ways that you can do it. One, this is how you tie the
Ascot the traditional way, it doesn't matter if you wear the pleats up or down. The only
thing that's of importance is that the pleats overlap the knot so the knot stays tighter
and you will look great all day. First, the right end needs to be about three to four
inches longer than the left one. Second, the right end, the longer end, goes over the left
end. What's important here is that the pleated part is actually part of the knot and you
want to keep this rather tight. So now, the longer end goes back around as you can see,
around, up through the back and down. This is how the traditional ascot, you may want
to open another button on your shirt and then you close it. Once you have it tucked in,
you simply adjust it to your liking and you're done. Basically, there are two ways, once,
you can have everything popping out so you see it or you can have everything tucked in
like so. Personally, I liked it tucked in, I like a tight knot and depending on the shirt
I'm wearing, I open one or two buttons from the top. This way you see more of the ascot
and so it's more closed.
Number 2, the simple knot. The simple knot is actually really simple because it's just
one knot. Both ends are the same length and then you just create one knot
like so, and you tuck both ends in. For this knot, you really have to adjust it and the
problem is it''s a very loose knot so over the course of the day it will become loose.
It can be a problem with the traditional knot but it can with the simple knit, it's even
more so. Personally, I don't really like the look of it and I recommend this look.
The third way to tie an Ascot, the modified four in hand. Again, you want it around your
neck, and thus time you want the right end to be about 2 inches longer. Now, what you
do is you tie a regular four in hand tie knot. You can also watch this video where I show
you how to do it but with an ascot, it's more difficult because it is unlined . Basically,
you take the longer end, get over and around. You can come over again, go through the back
and now you go through the knot you created and push it through.This has the advantage
that you can really adjust it and have it really tight around your neck just like with
the regular tie knot. Unlike a tie, the front end will be shorter than the back end. that's
exactly what you want because now, with the back end, you come from your neck side and
basically, bring it through from the back so it comes over. You simply adjust it so
you get some nice pleats and then you put them in your shirt, adjust it until you like
the look and you're basically done. The great thing about this knot is that even if it comes
loose which is very unlikely, you can easily tighten it, it will stay like this all day,
it gives you more volume in the knot so it kind of pops up and flows down nicely and
that's the reason this is my favorite knot.For the Modified ascot knot, it's important to
untie it the same way you tied it, you bring the long end back and then you pull it up,
just like a regular tie knot, you can always loosen it the other way but you always risk
that seams rip because of the strain it puts on it. If you enjoyed this video, sign up
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Regular ascots have two of these wide ends, however, there are also half ascot version
where you have one loop like so, and one wide end. Personally. I don't like it very much
because the knot is not very tight, it comes loose all the time and it's not just so full
so it looks flat and not three dimensional or like a real ascot.
Here is how you tie the half ascot. Wide end through the loop and you pull it tight till
you like it, adjust it and now you just bring this end through the back, adjust it and put
it in. As you can see, it's not as full but maybe it's advantageous when it's really warm
outside and you want less material on your chest. Now that you know how to tie it, there's
really no reason to have a half ascot, always go with the real thing, it looks better and
it's the way gentleman wear it. So what should you avoid when you wear an ascot? one, never
have your shirt buttoned up all the way.Never unbutton more than two buttons because otherwise,
you see your chest and it just looks sloppy. Basically, one or two buttons, depending on
your shirt.
Second, avoid cheap silk on your skin or jacquard woven silk because it will pull more threads
and it will be more uncomfortable. For regular day wear, avoid ascots with any kind of interlining
because it's stiffer, makes everything thicker and much more uncomfortable to wear. If you
are prone to sweating and it's very hot outside, be careful with your shirts because cheap
silk have the tendency to bleed off the color and you don't want to ruin your shirts. In
any case, simply wear an undershirt, you can check out our undershirt guide here to see
what other shirts are recommended.