Photo by Muffy Aldrich
The Modern Guide to The Thing Before Preppy

Monday, January 10, 2022

For men and women who wear cravats or neck scarves, when and how?

 

A reader question for men below:

What do we all think on cravats and or neck scarves?

But also, what are thoughts about scarves around the neck for women?

 

20 comments:

  1. So here’s my take on scarves. Get something that’s going to be effective in keeping you warm. We have bought at thrift stores many pashmina scarves. Dirt cheap and tons of warmth rather than skimpy little scarves they sell in Macys. Get something that gets the job done.

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    1. Exactly. Also, silk scarves are decorative. Very elegant, when done properly, but don't mistake them for a source of warmth.

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  2. Just don't wear one that's so long that it gets tangled up in things.

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  3. Hard to beat my big, old school scarf, and still fun to wear my fathers WW2 long, white silk scarf, driving our vintage MG!thanks so very much!

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  4. I do love my scarves! Although I just discovered that the moths discovered my plum Johnstons cashmere... Boy, do I despise the darned moths!! In California, silk scarves are pretty effective as a layer of warmth for our chilly mornings, but we're all talking about how cold it is when it's 35 degrees out.

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  5. Here in the West, for warmth or protection neck gaiters, Buffs™, or balaclavas are supreme. Bandanas are still seen quite often for outdoors actvities, and of course scarves will always be popular. Bolos and silk scarves with a slide are still seen for dress wear, as are traditional neck ties. For formal wear, there's a variety of neckwear from which to choose.

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  6. Love scarves especially during winter to wrap around my neck. Love the decorative ones to wear with pullover sweaters as well.

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  7. Seems like the question is more geared towards the cravat / ascot, not the muffler.

    The silk scarf is easy and simple elegance for women. Hermès scarves are a go-to gift for the women in my life.

    The ascot / cravat seems more difficult for men to pull off these days. However, I agree with everything G. Bruce Boyer has to say about them.

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    1. The cravat or ascot, for the self assured man, is comfortable and snazzy, but it will prompt comments and mockery. However, the mockers may secretly wish they had such style and fortitude. My cousin bought me one ages ago, but I never wore it in public. I regret that now.

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  8. The first battle with an ascot is getting it past one's spouse...

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  9. As a woman, I love wearing a man’s cravat/ascot. Pressed shirt, cravat or silk scarf and cashmere sweater tossed over my shoulders = perfect. Add in good jewelry, trousers, loafers and you’re all set. It’s my uniform. I also love a good cashmere scarf with white turtleneck, cable sweater, khakis, and loafers.

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    1. Wonderful. I love the look of a cravat - hiding beneath a crisp oxford shirt, it looks so soft, elegant and regal. For men it garners comments, but as said above I really do believe the crowd with their mockery had the confidence and fortitude.

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  10. I love wearing my mother's silk scarves when I have the chance--I like to wear them in the winter with turtlenecks, and in the summer with simple shift dresses. But for warmth, I do prefer a cashmere wrap!

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  11. I am a woman. I wear scarves around my neck.

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  12. I own two scarves nowadays - both from Cordings. One is a dressy Copper Engraved Scroll Silk and Cashmere (it can be seen at the top of Cordings' scarf page), and the other is a brown tartan cashmere (similar to the green one Muffy likes to wear in her photos.)

    I've never worn a cravat or ascot.

    The reason? When I was very young a girl told me that men who wore them looked "like sissies." The comment turned me into chicken-little for the rest of my life. A shame because they do look elegant.






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    1. Your next outing in more than chilly temps will be warmer if you’re wearing a silk ascot.
      Just let anyone willing to join you at 8 below call you a sissy.

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  13. I wear one of my Hermes scarves with a sweater, and sometimes a blazer, almost every day to work from about Oct-March. I’m a middle school teacher. I don’t usually wear them when I’m just at home, but I do love them!

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    1. I had an uncle who often gave Hermes scarves as Christmas gifts to the women in the family, so I amassed a nice collection. I seldom wore them when I was younger but enjoy them now. They add a pop of color without being overwhelming, and they remind me of my uncle.

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  14. I mostly only wear scarves in the winter weather to keep warm. But I do like the look of a smartly worn cravat or other fashion type scarf with a perfectly put together outfit!

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  15. I wear scarves every day during the cooler months, generally madder silk from Cordings. When it's very cold, pure cashmere scarves from Johnston's of Elgin are unbeatable.

    For cold and wet days, I bought a Barbour merino/cashmere scarf in Orvis's Black Friday sale last November. It was made in Scotland, possibly by Johnston's of Elgin. It is very long and can be looped twice around the neck.

    A Paisley madder silk cravat is a good alternative to a tie with a tweed jacket or navy blazer but not a business suit.

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