For the Gentleman!

Here is the ascot (or cravat) I made for my Dad, for his 

92nd Birthday!

My Dad always dresses very elegantly. My sister and I always say he dresses like an English gentleman! So this was an excellent accessory to sew for him. My Dad lives in portugal, where I'm from, but since i'm living in Sweden I hadn't celebrated his Birthday there with him for a few years. This year I made sure to be there with him and I'm so glad I was and to personally give him this present. He was already wearing an ascot, of course! One which I bought in a shop in England a few years ago. But he immediately took it off and put his new one on, commenting on how much better quality the one I made was!  It's the joy of handmade!

The beautiful fabric is a high quality quilt cotton with a lovely touch.
The fabric is called "Cocorico", by Hoffman California International Fabrics.

I can't believe my Dad is 92! He looks amazing and as elegant as always!

I even sent this top photo to the Sew, Mama, Sew! blog challenge Make it! Wear it! and it was chosen to feature in the highlights but because of different time zones, by the time I read their e-mail it was probably already too late to send my approval. Oh well, maybe next time! And I'm still flattered!

The ascot was made form the Burda 3404 pattern and it is a very easy one with very effective results! The pleats are fun to make and immediately give it a very elegant look.

 

"The Modern Gentleman's Neck-Tie ABC"

Then I found this fun little book in a bookshop in Sweden.

 

 

 Through clear pictures it shows how to tie different knots on different neck-ties.

I had to wear a tie for years as part of my uniform when I went to school but I had no idea there were so many different ways to tie it! With the help of this useful little book I now know that the knot I tied is called English I, and according to the same book it is "the "classic" knot, the most common and easiest one to tie". Oh! What a surprise!...

 

After some googling I learnt that Plastron is also called Plastrong, the Swedish word for ascot, or cravat.

And here is how you tie it!

 You can also get help with the perfect suit/tie colour coordination!

Click on the images to enlarge to get a closer look.

If you're a man, there's no excuse now! If your man needs help, here is the answer!

The mustasch is optional...

Isn't this classy? 

We talk a lot about how beautiful and elegant vintage ladies wear (dresses, skirts, blouses) was (is). I'm thinking 30's to 60's. And how much fashion has changed. But for the gentleman (!) has it changed that much?

From the little I know about sewing blogs I haven't seen much men's fashion, so I propose a challenge for anyone who wants to show any sewing projects you have made, are making, could make, for men!

Check out other ties I've made, here!