Gentleman, it’s imperative that we keep our style fresh and clean. One important piece of attire that a man can wear is an ascot. The ascot is an informal piece of neckwear and I find that men often have trouble wearing this piece. That said, I’ve created the ultimate ascot guide to teach men how to wear an ascot.
In this ultimate ascot guide, you will learn the origins of the ascot tie, how to wear an ascot tie and scarf, how to tie an ascot tie and scarf, and the best ascot scarves and ties on the market right now.
Because of how extensive this guide is, there’ll be quite a bit of reading. Therefore, I’ve gone through the liberty of adding a table of contents which you can use to read whichever parts you want without scrolling excessively.
Also, be sure to check out our favorite picks for ascot scarves and ties! I’ve made sure to pick only the best pieces of neckwear for both the cold weather and any formal outfits you have picked out. Enjoy!
Table of Contents
What is an Ascot Tie?
Simply put, an ascot tie is a wide, pointed necktie where both ends of the tie are equal width. Traditionally made of silk, ascot ties are usually folded over each other and then fastened with a clip or pin.
The ascot tie is typically worn with formal wear and it’s not uncommon to see an open collar when wearing an ascot. That said, ascots are usually worn in place of a tie with a blazer or suit.
Ascot Tie History
The history of the ascot tie stems back to the latter half of the 19th Century in Britain. The name itself is derived from the famous and exclusive horse-race, “The Royal Ascot”. At this event, men were required to wear the ascot tie with a tailcoat.
The ascot was meant for morning dress and to this day, the ascot is a common feature for morning dress for weddings. Therefore, ascots were commonly seen with morning coats, waistcoats, and trousers.
Today, ascots are not as formal as they once were. Ascots are now a casual item that are worn like a scarf, tucked under an open-button shirt. While they are not as popular as standard neckties anymore, you might see them occasionally at weddings or semi-formal events.
How to Wear an Ascot Tie
Ascot ties can be worn either over the shirt or under the shirt. The common casual look is to unbutton the shirt and then have the ascot placed underneath the shirt. The more formal way is to have the ascot placed like a standard necktie over the buttons.
However, now that ascot ties are meant more for casual wear, I recommend going with the unbuttoned look where the ascot lies closer to the skin. When it comes to aesthetics, it’s important that the ascot matches the suit.
For instance, a neutral-colored ascot matches well with a neutral-colored suit. However, there’s room for flexibility. For example, this man below boasts a checkered, red ascot while wearing neutral-colored formal wear.
Ascots are more of an accessory and thus, can have bolder patterns and colors. You just want to keep it within a reasonable range. If you have a solid-colored jacket, it’s definitely worth trying out a patterned ascot to add volume to the outfit.
With ascots, you’re going to be layering your clothes a lot! Learn how to layer clothes properly today.
How to Tie an Ascot
There are many different ways you can tie an ascot. However, I’ll be looking at the traditional ascot knot that people around the world use and then I’ll look at the simple ascot knot that’s an easier and sometimes, more comfortable option for ascot beginners.
How to Tie a Traditional Ascot Knot
Here’s how to tie an ascot the traditional way:
- Lay the ascot around your neck with the stitching side of the ascot facing your skin. Have the right side 3-4 inches longer than the left side.
- Wrap the longer end around the other and wrap once more afterwards.
- Take the longer end, which has been wrapped around the shorter end twice, and pull it through the gap between your neck and ascot.
- Adjust accordingly so that the longer end of the ascot lies over the shorter end of the ascot. You can use a pin to keep the knot secure in place.
How to Tie a Simple Ascot Knot
The simple ascot knot is much easier because it’s just one knot as opposed to the traditional two. Here’s how to tie a simple ascot knot:
- Lay out both ends at the same length or at varying lengths.
- Cross one end of the ascot over the other to create an “X” formation.
- Thread one end of the ascot through the opening between the ascot and neck.
- Fasten the knot and tuck into the shirt.
While simpler than the traditional ascot knot, the simple ascot knot can be somewhat problematic. The simple ascot knot has a loose knot so over the course of a day, the knot will unfasten and will need to be readjusted.
Difference Between Formal and Casual Ascot Ties
There are some differences that should be noted between formal and traditional ascot ties. For one, formal ascot ties have a consistent, solid shape and pattern throughout. Casual ascots have the same shape. However, casual ascots also tend to have folded neckbands which are worn behind the neck.
Furthermore, another large notable difference is that casual ascots don’t have much interlining whereas formal ascots do. Formal ascots need to keep their shape to help keep the outfit as uniform and tidy as possible. Thus, formal ascot ties tend to have quite a bit of interlining to help support the ascot.
Another large notable difference is that casual ascots are worn underneath the shirt, popping out from underneath the shirt collar. Formal ascots are worn on the outside of the shirt like a standard necktie.
How to Tie a Formal Ascot for Morning Dress
Now, there might come the time where you’ll need to tie an ascot for morning dress. This could be before a wedding or a brunch. In the case that you’ll need a formal ascot, here’s how to tie a formal ascot for morning dress:
- Have the stitching of your ascot facing your bare neck with the right side of the ascot slightly lower to your waist than the left side.
- Cross the right side over the left side and bring it through the hole created by the intersection. Leave the right side hung right over your shoulder with the left side of the ascot hanging down over your stomach.
- Now, take the left side (the part of the ascot hanging down your stomach) and point it towards your right. Now, take the right side (the part of the ascot hanging over your right shoulder) and fold it over the left side of the ascot so that it creates a “T” shape.
- Take the right side of the ascot which is now hanging over the stomach and put it through the loop created by the left side of the ascot.
- Once the right side of the ascot is through the loop, pull firmly on both ends of the ascot to create a knot.
- With the two sides of the ascot, have the right side of the ascot point to the left and have the left side of the ascot point to the right to form an “X” shape.
- Adjust and tuck underneath your coat.
Now, I know these directions are quite confusing. However, Gentleman’s Gazette has a great video on this. I highly recommend you watch it since it shows you how to tie a formal ascot for morning dress perfectly!
Difference Between Ascot and Scarf
The main difference between an ascot and a scarf is that an ascot is a type of necktie while a scarf is a knitted garment. Both can be worn around a neck, but a necktie is used for more formal occasions while scarves are usually used whenever the weather turns cold.
However, what’s great about a scarf is that you can incorporate many different knots and ties that the ascot tie has since they have the same shape. This makes it a great alternative during the wintertime.
What Should You Wear an Ascot With?
You should always wear an ascot with a formal or semi-formal outfit. You’ll almost always see an ascot tie paired with a coat or blazer because ascots were made for formal attire. You might be able to make the case where one can wear an ascot with only the button-up shirt, but those occasions are very rare.
Point being, ascots were made to be worn with formal outfits so they look best in formal outfits. I’ve seen people try to wear ascots with sweaters, parkas, and even t-shirts. It’s not pretty…Please stick with the coat or blazer.
Ascot Outfit Ideas
Need some outfit ideas? I’ve got you covered. I’ll be taking a look at how to wear your ascot tie with an outfit for three different occasions: wedding, dinner, and luncheons.
Ascot Tie for Wedding
At a wedding, formality is key. Therefore, ascot ties with tuxedos are the standard. Unless it’s the theme of the wedding, the shirt should not be unbuttoned. Rather, the ascot tie should perform as a standard tie and be tucked under the coat.
Coordinate colors and designs. The knot you’ll want to use is the knot we covered just recently in which Gentleman’s Gazette provides a great step-by-step guide on how to tie the knot. And to make sure that the knot stays in place, fasten everything together with a stick pin.
Ascot Tie for Dinners
Ascot ties for dinners are a little more laid back. Yes, formality is still a key talking point here but you can unbutton your collar shirt and let the ascot roam free. You’ll most likely be wearing a dark tuxedo so darker colors will better suit the ascot tie: think maroon, navy blue, or even just straight up black.
You can also tie a formal ascot knot for weddings or you can use the simple ascot knot which only takes four steps.
Ascot Tie for Luncheons
Ascot ties for luncheons are a little more lenient than dinners and weddings. With luncheons, the dress code is semi-formal to formal so the chinos and jeans are an option here. If you’re going to wear an ascot tie, you’ll still need a blazer but like with dinner, feel free to unbutton your collar shirt.
You want to look good, but you also want to look laidback. My favorite knot for luncheons that helps me keep a fashionable relaxation is the simple knot. Then, grab your favorite blazer, chinos, and loafers and you’re set for the next few hours.
Difference Between Ascot and Cravat
People tend to get the ascot and cravat mixed up–and for good reason too! Both cravats and ascots are neck bands worn with typical formal wear. However, the main difference between ascots and cravats is that ascots are a less formal style of cravat.
Ascots happen to be the only cravat with their own name. Other cravat styles don’t have their own name. So, when you’re referring to an ascot, you’re also referring to a cravat style of wear. This cravat style of wear just so happens to also have its own name.
The difference between an ascot and a cravat is kind of confusing so just remember…an ascot is just a cravat, but less formal.
Best Ascot Ties
If you’re interested in ascot ties and are looking to purchase one of your own, I highly recommend you check out some of my favorite ascot ties below. They’re time-tested and each has their own unique style catered to a different outfit you might want to sport.
Ascot FAQ
While we have covered a large chunk of what ascot ties are, how to wear an ascot tie, and even the different outfits you can wear with an ascot tie, there may be some other questions you have.
That being said, I’ve gathered some of the most asked questions in the community regarding ascot ties so that I can answer them for you! If there are any other questions you might have on the ascot tie, feel free to put them in the comments and I’ll answer yours directly!
Are Ascot Ties in Style?
Yes, ascot ties are in style but they aren’t as popular as they used to be. Nowadays, standard neckties are the norm for tuxedos and suits. However, any male fashionista will be able to not only tell you what an ascot tie is, but also incorporate it into an outfit.
When Should I Wear an Ascot Tie?
As I’ve mentioned, you should wear an ascot tie when you have a formal occasion to go to. Wear it with a suit or tuxedo or, at the very minimum, a button-up collar shirt. Please don’t try to wear your ascot tie with something like a t-shirt or a long sleeve. It’s just going to end up bad for you.
Can I Wear an Ascot Tie With Semi-Casual Wear?
I recommend against it since most popular semi-casual wear tends to be polo shirts, short-sleeves, and etc. You might be able to wear it with a button-up since that falls within the realm of semi-casual but other than that, try not to wear an ascot tie with semi-casual wear.
Final Thoughts on the Ascot Tie
An ascot tie is a great piece of neckwear if you’re looking to spice things up. Now that you’ve learned how to wear and tie an ascot tie, it’s time to go out and actually do the real thing. Even though it’s not the most popular form of neckwear today, don’t be afraid to rock the look!
Ascot ties look great when pulled off correctly and through my guide, I’ve shown you what to wear with an ascot tie while also answering any other questions you might have. So, if you’re still nervous to rock the look, don’t be. You’re ready for the ascot tie!