Men's Luxury Silk Accessories • Made in England • Free Shipping Worldwide

FAQs


Frequently Asked Questions

Q - Is an ascot tie the same as a cravat? 

A - An ascot is a type of cravat, or to be precise, a day cravat. All of our cravats are known as day cravats or, better known in the US, as ascots.

Q - Where did the cravat originate?

A - The cravat originated in the 1630s when Croatian mercenaries, enlisted by the French, wore knotted cloths around their necks. The soldiers would wear cravats made from linen, whereas the officers would wear cravats made from fine silk.

Q - Why is it called a “cravat”?

A - The word “cravat” is derived from the demonym “Croat” for a person from Croatia, which is called Hrvatska in the Croatia language.

Q - How should I wear an ascot tie or day cravat?

A - You can wear a cravat (or ascot) the traditional way, by tucking it inside your shirt, or even a polo shirt. You can also wear the cravat on the outside of your shirt, tucked inside a waistcoat or slim fitted jacket. For a more casual look, you can simply wear the cravat like a scarf on the outside of a t-shirt or shirt. 

 Q - What is the difference between a neckerchief and a cravat?

A - A cravat is tied at the front, whereas a neckerchief is looped around the neck. A cravat has two wide blades, one at each end, whereas a neckerchief is more shaped like a single piece of fabric. You can wear a cravat as a neckerchief, but we think they’re better worn in the traditional way.

Q - Is a cravat the same as a Tootal scarf?

They are not exactly the same, but our cravats can be worn in the same manner as Tootal scarves. Tootal is a brand name, originating in Manchester in the 18th century.

Q - How do you tie a cravat? 

A - It's very easy to tie a cravat (easier than a tie!), take a look at our page on How to Tie a Cravat to watch our video with simple instructions.

Q - Where are your cravats made?

A - All of our silk cravats, pocket squares, scarves and neckties are made here in England. Our printed silk accessories are made in Macclesfield, famous for its silk printing and silk mills. Our woven silk accessories are made in Suffolk by a renowned silk weaving mill, using grade A1 Mulberry silk, with high density warp counts and multi plys. See our Great British Quality page for more information on how our products are made right here in England.

Q - Can I wear a cravat and a pocket square at the same time?

A - The short answer is yes! In fact we encourage it. Wearing a cravat and pocket square together can be very stylish, and gives you a lot of options in combining different accessories.

Q - Should you match your pocket square to your cravat or tie?

A - It's considered more sartorially elegant to mismatch your pocket square with your cravat or necktie. We encourage you to pair contrasting colours, textures and patterns to complement your attire. 

Q - How do I match a cravat or pocket square to my outfit?

A - A good way to match an accessory to your outfit is to look at the details of your attire - threads in the weave, lining or detailing can give you clues about appropriate colours. You have a lot of scope, but try to avoid colours that clash, or that don’t work with your skin tone.

Q - How Should I Wear an Evening Scarf?

A - An evening scarf is best worn as the finishing touch to an outfit, especially with a smart suit or formal coat. You can tie or drape it around the neck like a conventional scarf, or simply drape it around your shoulders for a more relaxed look. The choice is yours!

Q - Can I wear a cravat and an evening scarf?

A - You absolutely can wear a cravat with an evening scarf. This looks especially good at special occasions, such as at weddings and parties. Match your colours and patterns carefully, and the combination will look spectacular on you.

Q - Can I wear one of your silk evening scarves as a cravat?

A - Yes, in fact many of our customers like to do exactly that. Have a look at our How You Style It section for some inspiration from our customers.

Q - How do I match my cravat to my skin tone?

A - Generally speaking, people either have cool, warm, or neutral undertones to their skin. Choosing colours that complement these can be key to getting the most out of your wardrobe! See our What Colours Suit My Skin Tone blog post for more ideas.

Q - Should cravats be worn loose, or tightly fitted?

A - It’s up to you. A tightly tied cravat will of course stay in place longer and require less maintenance, but a cravat worn more loosely can be more comfortable. In general, a woven silk cravat will stay in place more easily than a printed one, owing to the texture and weight of the fabric.

Q - How Are Your Ties Made?

A - All of our ties are of the 3-fold type, and are made of 100% silk, either printed or woven. See our blog post on Tie Styles for more details.

Q - What’s the difference between woven silk and printed silk?

A - Woven silk is made by weaving different strands of silk together for a thicker, more textured finish that has a heavier weight. Printed silk is comparatively lighter in weight and made of a 36oz silk twill, which is super smooth to the touch, yet has just enough texture for tactility and ease of tying. It's specially treated to be super-soft, and it's warm yet breathable that's the beauty of silk. Printed silk has a precise laser printed onto it to give you beautifully intricate designs, and results in a lighter and softer finish. Each one has their uses and fans, and all are made from 100% silk.

Q - Are all your products 100% silk?

A - Yes. Apart from the cotton label (which is also made in England), all of our products are 100% silk. Every. Single. Time.

Q - Are your products sustainable?

A - Silk is a natural fibre, and so is an inherently sustainable product. We try to use as much recyclable packaging for shipping where possible (look out for the green bubble wrap - it's recyclable), and a cravat’s naturally light weight means the bare minimum of CO2 is used during the delivery of our products, and even lighter and less waste when you opt for no gift box using our discount

Q - What does “hand rolled” mean?

A - The edges on all of our pocket squares are hand rolled rather than machine rolled, which means that each piece is finished by hand. This gives you a beautiful edge with perfect corners, better to show off your pocket square’s design. The difference in finish between the two is very obvious when compared.

Q - Can I wear a cravat to a posh event?

A - In short, yes! A cravat is absolutely suitable, and is the perfect smart touch to an outfit, giving you something that is a bit different, but still very smart. Looking formal but feeling casual, a cravat is the perfect way to stand out from a crowd. 

(Disclaimer - if your event specifies “shirt and tie”, it may be down to their discretion…)

Q - My order is a gift - can I add a message?

A - Yes! Simply get in touch after placing your order, and we’ll add a custom message of your choosing for the recipient.

Q - Do you offer a gift wrapping service?

A - Yes! We offer a gift wrapping service, should you wish your fine silk accessory to arrive looking extra-special. Follow this link to find out more.

Q - Can you hide prices?

A - Yes - no prices are shown on the packing slip, so if your order is a gift, the recipient won’t see any pricing information.

Q - What's the main difference between a tie and a cravat?

A - A necktie, or tie, is a thin long piece of cloth which is tied around the neck on the outside of the shirt resting under the shirt collar and knotted at the throat. A cravat, however, is a piece of cloth (usually made of silk) with two wide blades at both ends, which is tied around the neck inside the collar resting against the skin, and simply folded over rather than knotted, and tucked inside the shirt. Unlike a necktie, it's not knotted tightly around the neck, therefore a day cravat is much less restrictive and more comfortable to wear, and can be dressed up or down.