Celebrating 350 Years Of The Cravat
350 years have passed since that formal wedding favourite, the cravat, arrived on these shores. Accessories experts,
Swagger & Swoon, celebrate three and a half centuries of the neckwear trend that simply refuses to fold…
Like many men’s fashions between the 17th century and World War I, the cravat boasts a military background. Croatian mercenaries enlisted to help Louis XIII in the 1630s French civil war sported flamboyant scarves distinctively knotted at the necks, which fascinated the linen ruff-wearing French. Indeed, the word “cravat” derives from an early French pronunciation of “Croat”. Cravats were brought to England by Charles II in 1660 upon his return after nine long years in exile. Weary of warfare, we English warmly embraced all things decadent, including giant wigs and the stylish new cravats. By 1666, Charles decreed that at court, all gentlemen should don a cravat.
17th century diarist, Randle Holme, recalled the variety of cravats that had already sprung up:
“A cravatte is another kind of adornment for the neck being nothing else but a long towel put about the Collar, and so tyed before with a Bow Knott; this is the original of all such Wearings; but now by the Art and Inventions of the seamsters, there is so many new ways of making them, that it would be a task to name, much more to describe them“.
After the initial buzz around cravats waned, they were eclipsed by the “steinkerk” (a long, narrow, trimmed neck cloth) until the 1720s. Happily, by the 1770s, the Macaronis (think 18th century New Romantics) introduced colourful, flowing cravats that eventually became known as “ties”. Of course, the way a gentleman knotted his cravat became an important marker of his taste and style.
As Swagger & Swoon explains: “The cravat has an enduring popularity, especially for weddings. Perhaps it’s because they’re not everyday attire and they make a refreshing change from ‘normal’ ties.” If you need a bit of inspiration, famous cravat wearers include David Beckham, Brad Pitt, evergreen entertainer, Nicholas Parsons, and cutting art critic, Brian Sewell. Fictional fans include the unforgettable Uncle Monty in Withnail and I, and Iadies’ favourite, Colin Firth, as the dashing Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.
With a fine pedigree like this, the only question remains – how do you tie them? Mercifully, Swagger & Swoon stock cravats that come in both pre-tied and self-tie forms, so it’s up to you if you want to do battle with the knotting. Here’s a handy guide if you decide to take up the challenge of self-tying.
Wedding attire sorted, now’s there’s just the small matter of the wedding speeches to sort out. Don’t put it off – check out Burn The Toast’s 10 minute masterclass. Don’t miss our speeches topic on the forum, either…
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