Winter is in its full force outside, with short days, high winds and plunging temperatures. So how do you ensure your stylistic eye doesn’t take a dive along with the thermometer?
While spring and summer may be the chance to explore colour and cast off constraints, the winter season calls for a slightly different approach. Dark colours and earth tones combine with heavier fabrics and smarter cuts for a serious, structured look with presence. Grown up garments for big boys, if you will.
This doesn't mean that you need to put all your fun back in your wardrobe though. A carefully chosen accessory is the sort of accompaniment that makes or breaks an outfit which, in our view, is best exemplified by a cravat. Comfortable, versatile and just plain enjoyable to wear, they persist well into the coldest weather.
Below is a brief guide on pairing your cravat effectively with your winter outfit, with some chosen examples. As always, these are only guidance notes at most; the eternal truths of style breaking all the rules should always be remembered…
Suited & Muted
Firstly, it is still winter. Think of the mood of the season; those bare trees, the wind howling, depending where you live you may have snow on the ground throughout. While we don’t think colour is impossible, this is still the environment for more sombre shades. Luckily, we believe that winter has the absolute best of fashion to offer you - long coats, sharp suits and sturdy shoes all put their fingerprints firmly across the stylistic menu.
We say lean into this tendency, and dress with a purpose. Function is as important as form too - a coat that keeps wind and rain out can also look spectacular, likewise shoes that defend your feet. Heavy stitching can incorporate intricacy that there just isn’t space for when the weather’s warm. Choose some solid, quality pieces that you can rely on when the going gets tough, and you’ll be well set up to face anything.
But what about accessories?
Seasonal Shades
Cooler seasons are also the perfect excuse for deeper and richer hues. Rather than muting your entire look, focus on strategic pops of colour - applied in unexpected ways that catch the eye.
A serene print of Japanese cranes in flight, this cravat in rich red will work incredibly well with brown or tweed, leveraging the pattern’s theme to lift the ensemble out of the ordinary.
Inspired by sakura cherry blossom, but presented in deeper shades of forest green and crimson, this cravat’s subtle detail works very well as a measured response to a darker outfit. Something of a “negative” of a summer print, it provides a sturdier and deeper base upon which to build your look.
The Ruskin paisley cravat with lush orange, gold, brown and green is the perfect seasonal piece this time of year. Brighten up any navy or brown suit with this rich palette of colours.
While the details of propellor planes might suggest an aviation enthusiast, the rich forest and pistachio greens and gossamer detailing make it suitable for a much wider range of events.
Bright Accents
A bright accessory, paired properly, is the sort of contrast that can make an ensemble. Considering harmony as a key element is key to success here; use the detailing of a jacket to pick out a brighter contrast element, or use colour sparingly to direct focus to it with razor precision. A look can still seem appropriately serious and wintry when put together properly, so it’s all about employing colour with a clear intention in mind.
Our much-loved Japanese dragon pattern gets a winter makeover, with deep brown contrasting with light blues and caramel tones. Knowing the print would jump out in a darker ensemble, we’ve kept lighter tones strategic, ensuring that the print is seen but doesn’t dominate.
Our Ancient Egypt-inspired print may look bright and vibrant, but a darker outfit emphasising the green tones will dial down the punch significantly, with the cravat becoming part of a harmonious whole. Full disclosure - this is one of our favourite prints from the new Winter collection.
The Jesper cravat may employ a classic paisley pattern, but it does so with polychromatic flair, giving the wearer pinks and oranges to contrast with darker, moodier outfits. When worn correctly, this cravat makes a subtle accompaniment to darker browns and greys, lending just the right amount of colour to lighten the ensemble.
Patterns at Work
Classic geometric patterns and floral motifs can be a great foil to dark colours. In fact there is a lot to be gained in the contrast; detailing is foregrounded against more sombre garments, bringing out that “pop” of colour all the more. In keeping with the mood of the season, a gentler and subdued pattern really makes the most of the debonair quality of winter suits, coats and the like, ensuring that the entire outfit works in harmony.
Pairing a classic (and oft-requested) tartan pattern with baby blue, this cravat is a brown suit’s best friend, with its subdued print and lightness of touch.
Almost nothing else has the class of a polka dot, and this ever-present staple in slate grey and baby pink is one of our top sellers. Pair with greys and charcoal colours to maximise this impact of those tiny spots of pink.
Something of a play on the polka dot, this pattern takes a cowboy motif into entirely new territory. Subtle enough to wear at even the most formal functions, but witty enough for those who are close enough to care, it’s been another hot item here.
Working Against the Grain
A spring or summer piece, when paired correctly, can easily work double duty in the colder months.
With serene koi carp swimming under moonlight, rendered in soft pink and caramel, the Jiro is a playful twist on one of our signature prints. The light, cherry blossom pink may suggest Spring at first glance, but when paired with dark and heavy outfits, the design shines with a featherweight touch.
If bold and vibrant colours are more your speed, the Delger with its ancient Mongolian hunting print may be the thing to really enliven your wardrobe. The vibrant blue, orange and pastel pink offset the brown base perfectly, making it the perfect match for a dark navy or deep brown jacket.
An endlessly versatile pattern, this floral print is repeated across our range, this time wearing pink, purple and cantaloupe orange. The pastel shades here work with surprisingly subtlety, lending a sombre suit a hint of playfulness, and a winter coat some much-needed relief.
Form & Function
Being made of silk, the king of natural fibres, a cravat keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, with a luxuriously soft feel that nevertheless cheats the wind. Were you ever told as a child to fasten your coat? This is because it’s vital to protect your neck and chest from the cold if you want to ward off coughs and colds, and a cravat helps you do that with the utmost elegance. It’s yet another example of how winter clothes put form hand-in-hand with function. It’s also a big plus point for the ostensibly decorative cravat, proving itself as a practical and comfortable garment too.
A cravat might seem too delicate for winter wear, but we hope we’ve demonstrated that nothing could be further from the truth. If you’ve been inspired to think again about your winter outfits, we urge you to have a look at our Winter Collection, where bright colours and pastels play with classic patterns and deep base tones. Find your ultimate winter companion here at Cravat Club.
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