7 Reasons Why a Cravat Beats a Tie

When it comes to style, accessories are everything. Little touches that draw the eye, or a statement piece that makes the whole outfit - having some favourite pieces to hand will always be worth your time and investment. But how to get the best out of them, and which to choose? Now, we love ties, but we feel that cravats have the edge in almost every department. Let us count the ways…

1. Comfort of wear

Many men find ties restrictive and uncomfortable. We see why - to wear a necktie effectively requires a closed shirt collar, which is unavoidably snug. While looking smart and well put together, this ubiquitous piece can chafe and irritate. This is where a cravat comes in.

A cravat encourages an open-necked approach to the shirt, even requiring it to get the best out of your accessory. Usually made of fine silk (as ours at Cravat Club always are…), they feel fantastic against the skin, a feeling which not even the best shirts can touch. So if you’re one of the many for whom ties just don’t work, a cravat can be your best friend.

2. True elegance

This play between machismo and delicacy is absolutely where a cravat shines. Designed to lift a formal outfit into something more playful, the sheer finish and beautiful patterns in a cravat can nevertheless give off a ruggedness and rogueishness.

The natural delicacy and softness of a cravat can really offset your features and emphasise your masculinity (if you doubt this, just ask anyone who you may be romantically involved with…). The garment is also a great way to add a certain bit of devil-may-care attitude into what is otherwise a formal event. 

Colour and pattern work in harmony here, and because a worn cravat only ever shows off a small window of the design, what may look flamboyant on the peg looks subtle and effortless in the final presentation. It’s a way to stand out from the rank and file, while never stepping outside the parameters of a beautiful outfit.

3. The Summer Specialist

As we write this, the weather outside is hot and humid, with the sun having a certain fierceness and outfits quickly feeling too warm. A tie worn in this sort of weather soon feels restrictive, uncomfortable and unnaturally close. The ascot tie offers the perfect solution to this problem.

Made of light, breathable and natural fabric, the breezy fit and delicate softness of a cravat can be the antidote to all the summer heat. While, for example, your fellow guests at a summer wedding are sweating and struggling, you’ll feel entirely comfortable and perhaps a little…smug? In all seriousness, the cravat is the perfect hot weather hack, keeping you cool while still dressing like you mean it.

4. More pattern to enjoy

A pattern on a tie can be beautiful, offsetting a detail on your outfit to perfection and adding harmony to your look. When it comes to beautiful patterns, however, we’re with Yngwie J. Malmsteen on this one; more is more!

A large part of the tie is always on display, which means that most men tend towards conservative and muted designs - this is often wise. However, while a cravat may appear to be a louder garment in the imagination, in practice it’s amazing how subtle it can be. You can afford to go wild.

A cravat design is of course hugely personal, whether it’s subtle or strident. For those that love colour and detailing however, they’re the apex predator. Classic paisley, delicate polka dots, koi carp, Mongolian hunters, fantastical florals, animal prints, mythical creatures or deep, dark tessellations; the cravat is the perfect canvas on which to stretch your imagination. 

5. The path less trodden

To put it simply, every man needs a tie. As such, every man owns a tie. The same is not true of a cravat. To even wear one in the first place is something of a marker that you’re not going to do the same thing as everyone else. Whether you’re a fashion iconoclast, have a particular interest you wish to espouse, or simply like the look of yourself in one, a cravat is one for the thinker.

In the interest of balance here, we should also be honest and say that Cravat Club also loves ties, believing that, as discussed, every man should have one. However, when it comes to marking out your own space in a busy fashion landscape, we think that cravats might just offer the curious traveller something different.

6. Choices, choices

It’s 2025. In this day and age a man has to have choices. If you’ve acquired the cravat bug, you’ve begun to tap into a rich seam of style. Whatever the occasion, whatever jacket you’re pairing it with, whatever look you’re going for - there’s a cravat for that. Are you an aficionado of myth and legend, or an engineering buff? Are you a black-hearted goth, or a modern day dandy? Are you attending a wedding, or a dinner in your honour? There are so many ways for you to express what’s inside.

A cursory look at our range will give you some idea of the wealth of options out there - just look at those patterns! There is quite simply, something for everyone to enjoy in the world of cravats and ascot ties. We are clearly confirmed fans of these simple and beautiful garments, but even if you’re only just ready to dip a toe in, you’re likely to find something for every moment.

7. Separates work from leisure

For many people, a necktie is what you wear for work. Even if you’re not required to wear one these days, you likely have some unhappy memories of struggling into one in your school days, or in some kind of high-stress job interview or entrance exam. As such, it can be a huge drag to have to wear one to go to an event you really want to go to.

So, for when you need to look the part, but still want to have a good time, we highly recommend the cravat. It gives you style, grace and individuality, all while passing muster under even the most difficult doormen. What’s more, the blend of comfort and elegance is addictive, which is why we have so many repeat customers! Versatile, beautiful and easy to wear, they’re a secret weapon.

We hope we’ve convinced you of the beauty, utility and desirability of the cravat. With dozens of options, all made in England from Grade-A mulberry silk, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your curiosity amongst our range. 

Oh, and lest we forget, we also sell high-quality and beautiful silk ties too…