Ascots - A Re-invented Trend From Yesterday

When one thinks of ascots, we think of elegant English manors, and gentlemen riding horses on a fox hunt or playing a game of Polo. Or we think of the eccentric character of Gomez Addams of the Addams Family who, no matter what shenanigans he was doing on the television show, always seemed to be imppecibably dressed, usually in a smoking jacket, ascot, boots and carrying a gentleman's cane.

The ascot dates back to the early part of the nineteenth century and in many varieties has continuously re-emerged as a fashion trend over and over again such as the cravat style that was ever so popular with the mod generation especially in England during the 1960's and 1970's. The lead character of the "Austin Powers" movies, that makes such a hilarious parody of those times, wears an ascot in the cravat style and I am sure the character would say that the ascot is "Shagadelic baby!"

The ascot is named after the famous Royal Ascot horse races where on Ladies Day the upper crust females wear outrageous hats (are super crazy hats coming back into fashion also?) and many of the men wear ascots instead of ties in order to feel properly dressed. For a trend to strongly re-emerge we need to examine popular culture across the board and check out what is happening globally as well. There is the band called the "Ascot Royals" who appeal to a diverse crowd of rockers and hip-hop partiers as they try according to their press to get the crowd "moving and swooning." Unfortunately in their publicity photos, they are wearing ties not ascots. Someone tell their manager to get a clue and if they are going to wear ties on stage anyway, to put those boys in ascots!
Ascots have been making their appearances at weddings that is for sure where they are considered "swanky" attire and a nice alternative to that choking feeling one may get when wearing a tie, especially one that is tied too tight or with a shirt collar that is too small.

The advantage of the ascot is that it lets you breath, have more flexibility, and still look sharp at the same time. They should be tied around the neck properly though, otherwise you r neck will look like a fat column draped in fabric by the likes of the famous artist Cristo who drapes, arches, bridges and buildings with fabric in gigantic displays of public art.

The ascot continues to find its way into movies such as when Al Pacino wore an ascot as the character of Michael Corleone in The Godfather, Edward Fox wears an ascot in lots of his movies when he plays period characters as does Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy Then there is Jack Skellington from "Nightmare Before Christmas" , and most recently the elaborate ascot Johnny Depp wore as the Mad Hatter character in Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland".

Yes the ascot appears to have great staying power and the ability to re-emerge after period of hibernation to start a new fashion trend once again. As long as men tie something around their neck, there will probably always be room for the style of the ascot.