#cravat

EXHIBIT A: Disheveled hair Sherlock 😍🥵

EXHIBIT B: Watson being super squishy jovial about stuff:

EXHIBIT C: Sherlock serving straight up cunt like the dramatic bitch he is...

I mean, c'mon.....

EXHIBIT D: Cravat Sherlock! A rare, beautiful sight...

Delicious chuckle and sniffy-sniffs included:

EXHIBIT E: THE CREAM COLORED SUIT!!! And he wore a brown tie, he color coordinated! 😍😍😍

And this gorgeous expression:

EXHIBIT F: Watson being iffy when Sherlock is being dramatic:

And finally...

EXHIBIT G: This sly lil move

The Chalon Family in London

Artist: Jacques-Laurent Agasse (Swiss, 1767–1849)

Date: ca. 1800

Medium: Oil on academy board

ACE ATTORNEY - Duly Noted Objections

The history of the cravat and ascot begins on the battlefields of 17th-century Europe and tells the story of how a practical piece of military gear evolved into a symbol of elegance, and eventually, the modern necktie .

🎖️ The 17th Century: Military Origins of the "Cravat"

The word "cravat" is a French corruption of "Croat" (Hrvat in Croatian), directly linking the garment to Croatian soldiers . During the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), Croatian mercenaries fighting for the French side wore distinctive, picturesque scarves tied around their necks .

These practical scarves, called tour de cou, were made from coarse cloth for common soldiers and fine linen or silk for officers. They served multiple purposes: protecting the face from cold and smoke, and serving as an emergency bandage for wounds .

King Louis XIV of France took notice of this stylish accessory around 1660, adopted it, and introduced it to the French court. From Paris, the fashion quickly spread across Europe . The earliest use of the English word "cravat" was recorded in 1656 .

👑 The 18th & 19th Centuries: From the "Steinkirk" to Beau Brummell

The cravat continued to evolve as a fashion statement:

· The Steinkirk (1690s): A new, more casual style emerged named after the Battle of Steenkerque (1692). It was a long, plain neckcloth loosely wrapped and tucked into a buttonhole, designed to look deliberately disheveled .

· The Age of the Dandy (late 18th/early 19th century): The cravat reached its peak as a symbol of sophistication. The English dandy Beau Brummell made elaborately tied, starched linen cravats an essential part of a gentleman's attire. The way a man tied his cravat was seen as a direct reflection of his taste and style .

It was after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 that the term "tie" began to be used interchangeably with cravat .

🏇 The Ascot Tie: Born from Horse Racing

The ascot is a specific, more formal descendant of the cravat that emerged in the late 19th century.

· How it got its name: The accessory gained its name from the Royal Ascot race meeting, where it became fashionable to wear this particular style of neckwear .

· Formal Wear: The classic ascot is a wide, formal tie made of patterned silk, often grey or black. It is folded over, fastened with a tie pin, and worn with a wing-collared shirt as part of morning dress for formal daytime weddings .

Ironically, the ascot tie is now banned from the Royal Enclosure at the very event it is named after. Since 2012, the dress code has required a traditional tie, specifically stating "no cravats" .

💡 20th Century: The Birth of the Modern Necktie

The cravat is the direct ancestor of the modern necktie.

· The Four-in-Hand: In the 1850s, a simpler, longer, and narrower version called the four-in-hand became popular, eventually evolving into the long necktie we know today .

· Jesse Langsdorf's Patent: A major revolution occurred in the early 1920s when New York tailor Jesse Langsdorf patented a new method of cutting the fabric on the bias (at a 45-degree angle) and constructing the tie in three sections. This design allowed the tie to fall straight, knot perfectly, and retain its shape, creating the blueprint for the modern necktie still used today .

🇺🇸🇬🇧 Cravat vs. Ascot: A Transatlantic Difference

Today, the terms can be confusing as they are used differently on either side of the Atlantic. The distinction lies in formality and how the garment is worn .

Feature Modern Cravat / Day Cravat Ascot Tie

Formality Casual Formal

Wearing Style Worn inside an open-necked shirt, with the top buttons undone Worn outside the shirt, over a wing collar, and secured with a pin

Fabric & Pattern Often made of thinner, printed silk with colorful patterns like paisley Traditionally made of thicker, woven solid or "salt and pepper" silk

Occasion Smart-casual events, worn for added style and warmth Formal daytime events, especially weddings with morning dress

The cravat has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years as a stylish smart-casual alternative to the necktie .

I hope this gives you a clear picture of the journey from a 17th-century military scarf to the modern-day accessories we know!