In the earliest days of the American Light Cavalry, the guidon was referred to as a cornette, (a French term referring to the standard). The scarves are still used today for parades and ceremonies. It may not be listed in the army uniform regulations, but for the Cav community, it symbolizes and represents the Cavalry, regardless of where it originated. First, let me start by saying that like most Cavalry traditions, the scarf, bib, ascot, foulard (to keep foul weather off your head), handkerchief, neckerchief, or whatever you want to call it, is a symbol. The Yellow Cavalry Scarf is another Cav tradition whose origins are all but lost in ambiguity. ![]() They’ve escaped standardization, and the confusion only increases as we go from one English-speaking country to another.“Therefore he rides in a loose flannel shirt that will not cramp him as he whirls the coils but the handkerchief knotted at his throat, though it is there to prevent sunburn, will in time of prosperity be chosen for its color and soft texture, a scarf to draw the eye of woman.”- The Evolution of the Cow Puncher: Owen Wister, Harper’s Magazine, 1895. The menswear world is typically one in which there are clearly defined terms and rules aplenty for any garment you can imagine.įor whatever reason, ascots and cravats have bucked this trend significantly. You can buy those specifically made for the occasion with a thin neckband or simply tie an Ascot into this shape. If we’re talking about a rouche or a Bruce, these are often worn for weddings and have Scottish origins. If we’re talking about day cravats (neckerchiefs), we advise that you do so as a casual garment While these accessories aren’t terribly commonplace, they can really bring an outfit together with a suave pop of color. Such a rarity should be indulged whenever the chance comes along to do so. If we’re talking about true ascots (formal neckties), definitely wear one if you have the opportunity to wear morning dress. Let’s break it down by ascots and cravats. This is a simple question with a multi-faceted answer. Americans rarely use the term “day cravat.” The British sometimes use the term “day cravat.” This refers to a neckerchief, which Americans erroneously but ubiquitously call an ascot. The British, on the other hand, will sometimes refer to both neckerchiefs and ascots as cravats. In the United States, the term “ascot” is used to refer to both a true ascot (worn outside the shirt and secured with a pin) and a neckerchief (tied about the neck and tucked into the shirt). Just as with braces and suspenders or vests and waistcoats, the Brits and the Americans don’t agree on what the right term is for a cravat or an ascot. As morning dress is largely relegated to the English, this means that the ascot is quite rare! More men wear simple silk neckties with morning dress than they do ascots nowadays. It is indeed a type of cravat but is being worn less and less with the passage of time. It is a formal necktie that’s only appropriate to wear with morning dress. Pictured below is an ascot:Īn ascot, on the other hand, is technically a type of necktie. ![]() This happens so often it’ll make your head spin. Many Americans use the word “cravat” for “ascot” when they’re actually talking about neckerchiefs. The term “cravat” is erroneously, constantly, and frustratingly misused. The only thing on the market today that could be defined as a cravat and nothing else is a rouche or scrunchy tie. The term comes from the French word for Croat ( cravate) and only refers to the cloth tied around Croatian mercenaries’ necks. It can refer to neckties, bow ties, neckerchiefs, and yes, ascots. Similarly, every ascot is a cravat, but not every cravat is an ascot.Īs we mention on our page on the cravat, a cravat is a catch-all term for neckwear. There’s a rule in geometry that says every square is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square. Day cravat: A neckerchief, which is a scarf-like patterned silk tied in the style of an ascot but tucked into the shirt and worn informally (that is, during the day). ![]() Ascot: A formal necktie worn with morning dress, tied with a rudimentary knot, worn over the shirt, and secured with a pin.Cravat: A catch-all term for neckwear or a rouche.To get right to the point, here are some terms that define each item:
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