The London Lounge

I wonder if anyone knows a shop in New York that carries silks for wearing ascot-fashion. I mean short scarves or neckerchiefs--not the pre-dimpled kind. I've seen a few things at Hermés, but these tend to be little gaudy for my taste (and also unnecessarily expensive). Suggestions?

turnbull & asser on 57th. but, try this website

http://www.luxury-scarves.com/en/0_home/index.php

John Kochis Custom Designs 212.244.6046

You bring up a great point: scarves, neckerchiefs to be worn as ascots are not easy to find these days. I am going to have a word with two of our members who would be able to help. Stay tuned.

Cheers

Michael Alden

S. Goldman,

It should not be too hard to find ascot/neckerchief makers.

However, you need to think about the size that works best for you so that you are happy and feel comfortable.

We have made ascot/neckerchiefs with Macclesfield English printed and Sangdao woven Thai silks.

Our clients have asked for a range of different size squares (based on their neck size). So you should measure one that fits you well or order only one if you are working on finding the right size.

We prefer a very elegant tightly hand-rolled edge, although a more rustic large edge can be an interesting look at times.

It should not be too hard to find ascot/neckerchief makers.

However, you need to think about the size that works best for you so that you are happy and feel comfortable.

We have made ascot/neckerchiefs with Macclesfield English printed and Sangdao woven Thai silks.

Well a third member has come with a solution.

David,

As you know, I am an admirer of silk. The only time I do not have some sort of ascot, bandana, scarf etc around my neck is when I sleep, or bathe.

There would be more pictures posted of these silky applications a la Noiret or Cooper but for the fact that the Yanks tend to roll their eyes back foaming at the mouth, chanting “Thurston Howell, Thurston Howell…..” What is this all about? How can a few generations of men continue to be impacted by a serial C television character. Its simply beyond belief.

Cheers

Michael,

I understand you.

I have never actually worn an ascot in the USA but I have worn one to dinner parties in the south of France. And I blended right in and felt relaxed.

Perhaps ascots are sort of like bow ties - you need to think about where you will be wearing them and be confident.

I like to experiment and love silk like you. When the weather is hot here in Bangkok and I am not wearing a jacket and rushing off to take Samantha to school I will at times place a small pocket square in my shirt pocket. The square will be neatly folded and just peek above my pocket.

What is your preference for the size of your ascot squares?

A random thought:

Ascots tend to make me think of relaxed happy occasions rather than formal business meetings. Although I can see myself wearing an ascot and talking to our weavers in the countryside about silk designs.

What is your preference for the size of your ascot squares?

I think an ascot square, to be most useful, needs to be 30" square. Hermes makes their carre a bit bigger at 35". I say "useful" because at this size the silk square can be worn as scarf, ascot or bandanna.

Ascots tend to make me think of relaxed happy occasions rather than formal business meetings.

Clearly ascots do not have a place in a formal commercial environment. But as almost everyday wear they have another advantage, they keep you healthy. I have avoided common winter maladies for decades. This Fall I rushed out of the house on an urgent errand. Halfway around the block I realized that I had neglected to put something around my neck. The thought occurred to me to run back to the house, but time was of the essence so I hiked up the collar on my coat and went ahead. That evening the sore throat started and I enjoyed a monstrous cold for about ten days. Never again!

Cheers

Michael Alden

Thanks for these suggestions--I'll check T&A, and then consider some bespoke options.

On the style side, ascots seem to be enjoying a modest revival due to another C-grade TV show: Gossip Girl. So perhaps Chuck Bass will balance out Thurston Howell in the minds of the young.

Ascots are still seen here in university towns of New England, although they do mark the wearer as a bit eccentric. I prefer to wear a tie when I lecture. But I find ascots very suitable for working in the library, holding office hours, and other less formal occasions.

alden wrote:

What is your preference for the size of your ascot squares?

I think an ascot square, to be most useful, needs to be 30" square. Hermes makes their carre a bit bigger at 35". I say "useful" because at this size the silk square can be worn as scarf, ascot or bandanna.
.........
Cheers

Michael Alden

30" is the request that we receive most often although some gentlemen do go a bit smaller or larger.

How would you translate carre into English?

I have noticed that the Italians borrow pochette for their pocket square term.

Hmm or do I have it backwards did the French borrow from the Italians?

How would you translate carre into English?

The Hermes carre or "square" is about the perfect size.

Pochette is the diminutive of poche (pocket). Taschino is the diminutive of tasca (pocket) in Italian.

Cheers

Michael

Hilditch & Key Paris (not London) sells a few cashmere-silk neckerchieves which are gorgeous and which inspired Flusser (he sold some of the same designs). Charvet also sells some. Cost is between 300-400 euros, which is a hell of a lot but a lot less than Hermes would want for cashmere-silk scarves.

I can't get used to the idea of wearing a purely silk neckerchief.

I can't get used to the idea of wearing a purely silk neckerchief.

RJ

The feel of silk against the skin is a good reason to give it a try.

The H K cashmere and silk are very beautiful indeed. Shopping for them with our special guest was good fun non?

Cheers

Silk is wonderful, but don't discount cotton. I have two or three Soleado scarves from Provence that are magnificant. DDM

Any tips as to how these are worn? I've only done two ways: first like an ascot, lay bunched up scarf around your neck, twist the tails around each other and put it in your shirt and second; boy scout, fold in a triangle,take pointed ends and tie a loose knot and put the ends in your shirt.

Any other suggestions or is that pretty much it?

Alden:

I have often remarked that the ascot or silk neckerchief is an incredibly useful item. In fact, it is so elegant precisely because it performs a necessary function with grace, beauty and comfort. Unfortunately, we are social creatures, and those of us that are American below a certain age are burdened with the simple fact that wearing an ascot in most circumstances is a sure way to draw unwanted attention. That is simply the way it is for me, and I have to look at it the same way I look at death and taxes. They are all things I may not like, but ignore at my peril.

As useful and elegant as ascots may be, in the US, in the circles in which I travel, ascots are inconsistent with the kind of elegance that stems from a cohesive whole with no individual part clamoring for attention - the ascot will always stand out as odd and slightly pretentious dress. Would that it were not, but it is.

If you can fix this for me, please do. l