How to Tie a Cravat: Step by Step Guide + 3 Stylish Alternatives!

[@johnparnell8571]

Excellent, Chris. Very helpful. From experience, because of its simplicity, the very first knot you demonstrated has a habit of working loose and out of shape. For that reason, I always favour the second or third style of knot. The other thing is to tuck the band of the cravat well below the line of shirt collar. You don't want it riding up. I was given my first cravat by my late uncle when I was a teenager and now have a growing collection of more than twenty, each one inspired to go with a particular colour combination of outfit. They are a perfect bridge between the informality of an open neck shirt and the formality of a neck tie, and look stylish if worn with a blazer or sports jacket. An appropriate pocket square in the jacket breast pocket can add a nice final touch. I confirm other comments here that people do notice when I wear a cravat., especially ladies for some reason. They seem to appreciate when a man has made an effort with his attire. Far from being an out-of-date accessory, I believe that cravats / Ascots deserve a place in every well dressed man's wardrobe. P.S. Chris, where did you get that first cravat from? I like its colours.

[@TheBritishDapper]

Hi John, lovelty to hear from you and thank you for your thoughtful insights. I completely agree about the first knot, whilst it’s definitely simpler, it can be a bit tricky and loosen off easily. I appreciate your tips on tucking the band below the collar; it really does make a difference in the overall look. Your collection sounds impressive and I love how cravats can bridge that gap between casual and formal. As for the first cravat in the video, I actually got it from eBay and I brought it for those colours, I’m glad you like the colours in it 👍🙂

[@9er..]

Love the use of a silk scarf versus an actual cravat I unfortunately have two that I simply don’t have the confidence for. I am however a fan of wearing either a silk scarf or neckerchief with a mock neck or turtleneck sweater. The slight pop of color oozes style. Think Cary Grants outfit from the first half of To Catch a Thief.

[@TheBritishDapper]

Hi Pete, I totally get where you are coming from - but I would say I haven't had any negitive comments when wearing a cravat. I agree with you that famous look created for Cary Grant in the film 'To Catch A Theif' is an iconic stylish look and one worthy of emulating 👍🙂

[@MrSteve_Luddite.]

I regularly wear a cravat and have struggled with tying it, especially vintage thin cravats. If anyone is considering wearing one, you'll get many more positive remarks than negative and besides, you should dress to suit yourself rather than to suit other people's tastes. This video has been very helpful.

[@TheBritishDapper]

Hi Steve, I agree with you, I've had nothing but positive comments when I wear one and you should wear one because you want to and don't worry about what others think👍🙂

[@alandormire4587]

Good day Chris, another scarf/cravat option for the North Americans is the Western Wild Rag that would be available at your Equestrian shops. They are also scarves that can be used as cravats.

[@TheBritishDapper]

Hi Alan, lovely to hear from you and thanks for your great advice 🙂👍

[@billyo54]

A very helpful video Chris. I bought a cravat back in the late 60s when I was a teenager. I took my cue from 'The World of Wooster' TV series. I thought it a great look but my friends thought I looked like an Upper Class prat and never wore it again. Fast forward to today where I've reached seventy and I've taken to wearing the cravat again. This time around I'm getting complements from other men because of the cravats rarity in the modern world, but most importantly women of a discerning nature who pass me compliments on train stations and supermarket aisles. Just goes to show, if you hang around long enough the classics will come back into fashion.

[@TheBritishDapper]

Hi Billy, I agree with you that they have gone out of fashion over the years, but now people are starting to wear them again even though it is still quite rare to see them worn. They are more of a conversation starter and like you, I have only experienced compliments when wearing one.👍🙂

[@nicksuffolk7755]

Great video, I will give it a try

[@TheBritishDapper]

Hi Nick, glad you enjoyed the video and feel inspired 👍🙂

[@slivingforl]

You're a honorable legend Sir! Thank you. I wish you could also do a video on how to wear a pocket square, please. Cheers from the cradle of civilisations Iran (occupied by mullas)

[@TheBritishDapper]

Hi there, thank you for your compliments and your video suggestion, my regards and best wishes👍🙂

[@percydigmore8299]

One important practical point is how warm they keep your neck if you work outside. I wear them throughout the winter with crew-neck jumpers, tattersall check shirts, or sometimes a woollen tie. When tightly tied, you only see the top of the knot, but the formality is there when I'm with the client.

[@TheBritishDapper]

Hi Percy, you make a valid point, I find in the summer months they are cooler to wear than a tie, yet in the winter they are great to add some less formal warmth ands a sutial pop of colour, especially with the countryside look. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for your comments🙂👍

[@MexieMex]

Good video. I wear a cravat more often than ties. I normally use the scarf method to tie them and I find that the most secure to avoid slippage.

[@TheBritishDapper]

Hi there, glad you enjoyed the video 🙂 the scarf method is very good for a more secure finish and it does prevent or reduce slippage as you confirmed - thanks for your comments and continued support👍🙂

[@TomTom-sj3bn]

I'm a regular cravat wearer, still in my early 40s so not an older gentleman, and I love them .Plus I only get compliments when I wear them, especially from the ladies of all ages😂

[@TheBritishDapper]

Hi there and glad to hear you wear a cravat. Style has no age qualifier and I think a cravat is very stylish, its not commonly seen and yet ladies do love to see them. They add a little personality and panache, to your look and does draw the eye with a little pop of colour most men, no longer tend to wear. Good to hear you wear them and please keep doing so👍🙂

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

Thanks Chris. Some good ideas. I have not had good luck with the first version. It tends to loosen up during the day. Cheers Ron

[@TheBritishDapper]

Hi Ron, glad you enjoyed the video and I agree with you that they can loosen off 👍🙂

[@Handyman70]

Wear cravates and ties of all types when I go out formally.

[@TheBritishDapper]

That's great to hear👍🙂

[@JonasM.M.]

well i dont wear one which mostly comes down to two major reasons one being i have a very sensitive throat so it really wouldnt feel great and i also doubt thath it also pretty much only wear a wardrobe containing of double breaste peak lapel and now in the winter monts dark er colored suits which is why it would make much sense to do so either way oh btw could you imagine making a video thath shows how to properly care for your winter boats (something like a derby boat with oxford cap but with a nice quality leather not something for the outdoors more of a city boot

[@TheBritishDapper]

Hi Jonas, sorry to hear you have a sensitive throat, I assume you have the problem wearing ties as they are even more restrictive? They are more appropriate to wear with more casual attire, rather than the more formal suit wear. You mentioned about a video about caring for a pair of city boots, I'll have a look at this, I'm not sure if it's needed as city boots are care for in the same manner as shoes in the way the are cleaned, nurished and then polished. I might make it put of a content for another type of video - but thanks for your suggestion 👍🙂

[@JonasM.M.]

@ well then maybe you could just answer me the question here as it is mainly one question while of course the care is pretty much the same how do I protect my city boots from the weather as the biggest problem and main reason why I can’t wear Oxford in the winter months is the snow the waterand salt on the streets?

[@JonasM.M.]

@ well about the ties so far they have not been a problem because I am wearing a fairly loose collar which is why they don’t really touch my throat

[@TheBritishDapper]

@@JonasM.M. Thank you for sharing, glad you have found a good work around to enable you to still wear a tie without to much discomfort👍

[@TheBritishDapper]

@@JonasM.M.I see, I think I did do a video on this a while ago. this mightr help kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXOmnn5meZ2Bj5o

[@yoricirving-clarke836]

Good stuff Chris! As you know, I'm relatively new to cravats, but think they make a stylish and less formal alternative to a tie. I definitely favour the four in hand and then flip the rear blade over option. IMO it is more secure and the knot gives volume. You are right about the cost though! Perhaps Vinted/Ebay might offer a solution!

[@TheBritishDapper]

Hi Yoric, Great toi hear from you and glad you enjoyed the video. I find cravats are a great way of adding some colour and are a good alternative to a tie for less formal occasions. The 4 in hand version is sound and prevents slippage - I agree with you there 👍 when it comes to cost, charity/thrift shops, and as you state eBay and Vinted are great options to consider 🙂👍