Saturday, April 5, 2014

Style Tips – The Rise Of The Cravat


Cravat (2)



As seen on the streets of Paris Fashion Week and on the catwalks for Autumn/Winter 2014, the cravat, has made a massive comeback, adding extra points of flair and a cultivated sense of style on casual and formal wear alike.
This manly accessory and great alternative to the bow tie has established itself as the ultimate chic accessory. Originating from Croatian soldiers during World War I, it became popular amongst younger dapper men, and it was later embraced by British aristocrats. This quintessentially british accessory may have been associated with a conservative and anachronistic elite, but during the past few seasons has established itself as the ultimate male accessory to formalize any casual outfit or give a stylish edge to a somewhat boring suit. Pair it up with a pocket square, a double chested blazer and tailored pants in a dark shade of maroon, grey, or navy, leather brogues and a pocket watch if you’re after the complete modern gentleman look.

Types Of Cravats

There are two different types of silk cravats: printed and woven silk cravats. Printed silk cravats tend to be a lighter-weight silk and more often adorned in the warmer months and for more casual occasions, whereas the jacquard woven silk cravats are thicker and tend to be more lustrous in colour; therefore are more suitable for the cooler months of the year and formal wear. Most cravat makers tend to manufacture printed silk cravats, whereas only brand names like Hermes or Turnbull & Asser do woven silk cravats and at a hefty cost.
However, one company that stands out is Cravat Club. One unique selling point about Cravat Club’s products is the ‘Stay Put Cravat’. Their jacquard woven silk cravats are layered with rich colours and are a heavier-weighted silk, which unlike most silk cravats, require minimal re-adjusting, hence the ‘Stay Put Cravat’. This means the cravat can be tied less restrictively around the neck as opposed to conventional cravats, to allow for maximum style and comfort.
Cravat Club supplies both types of cravat (jacquard woven and printed silk), unlike what most cravat makers do. Their 25mm printed silk is more luxurious than other cravat makers’ (who tend to use a flyaway 18mm silk), so Cravat Club’s printed silk cravats are a superior quality.

 Pocket Squares

Gentleman’s accessories such as pocket squares, man bags and the cravat have resurfaced over the last few years as men have become more interested in expressing an individual and more creative sense of style. The demand for male accessories is increasing and brands such as Cravat Club, who use a phrases such as “Cravat Comeback” have tapped into the need for exquisite, delicate cravats that are addressed to gentlemen who want to alternate their casual and semi-casual appearances. Cravat Club will be supplying jacquard woven silk pocket squares from May, so watch that space!
An open collar is charming but not preferable in formal occasions, so adding a day cravat to the outfit adds an intellectual sense of style. The way to wear them is quite easy, wrapped around the neck and tucked inside the collar of a shirt or even into a polo shirt. Another way to incorporate this style is wearing it on the outside of the shirt paired with a tailored suit or jacket.

  British and Aristocratic Cravat

But the resurgence of the typically British and aristocratic cravat isn’t just the name of a brand, it’s a fact. At least that was the case at this year’s Paris fashion week where the designers set a romantic 19th century scene for Autumn/Winter 2014. The multilayered suits where wonderfully accessorized by this staple, classic piece. The French designer, Downton Abbey showed carefully crafted silk cravats that complimented luxurious three piece suits and paired them up with leather brogues. But the cravat was very popular amongst street style sartorial chaps of fashion week. Long charming pea coats, or sleek biker leather jackets worn with jeans or tailored pants dressed up by adding colorful cravats to their outfit. Choose the pattern and fabric that blends best with your everyday wardrobe and opt for this stylish and sophisticated statement piece to take your outfits to the next level.

No comments:

Post a Comment