the Chap... By Wisbeach
An advice column in which readers are invited to pose pertinent questions on sartorial and etiquette matters, and even those of a romantic nature. Send your questions to chap@thechap.co.uk
T. Richardson: My question concerns cravats. I own four or five of these items, but feel I have never successfully worn one. I feel I am all at sea with the cravat. The issues I have with them include: How best to knot one? Mine seems to come loose at the slightest ruction. One, or two, shirt buttons undone? How tight around the neck? How large the knot? How large the actual cravat? You can get some very large ones. There seem to be several ways of wearing a cravat; for example, the flamboyant, let-it-all-hang-out style; the cravat almost as a tie, hanging down; the cravat ruffed up around the neck like a muffler or the plumped-up cravat to create the ‘neat neck’ which is part of the purpose of this accoutrement. When and where to deploy such styles? Is it wrong to reach for the cravat when dressing for the evening? Is it possible to wear a cravat without appearing excessively louche? The Chap: Sir, you have embarked on a splendid neckwear adventure which, if one may say so, you seem to have overcomplicated somewhat. To address each of your concerns in order: The best way to tie a cravat (and this will answer points 2, 3 and 4) is to start tying it with a four-in-
12
