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The ascot tie, popular in Britain in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is still worn today for semi-formal and formal occasions. It is best known for its use in the counterculture of the 1960s and in movies and television for characters with exaggerated or outrageous fashion choices.
An ascot, also called an ascot tie or day tie, is a type of necktie that became popular in Britain in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is still worn today, mainly in England, for semi-formal and formal dress occasions. However, it is best known for its use in the counterculture of the 1960s, particularly the “mod” styles common to what was then called Swinging London. It is also used in movies and television by characters known for their exaggerated or outrageous fashion choices, such as the Mike Myers spy parody Austin Powers.
The ascot came into use among members of British high society in the late 19th century. It took its name from the Royal Ascot horse race, long a showcase for British fashion trends. It was soon an essential part of the formal wear known as ‘morning dress’, worn around the world by the very wealthy and very fashion conscious. Its use declined in the early 20th century, although it is still acceptable as part of a morning dress ensemble. In the 21st century, the morning dress is typically worn for formal occasions such as weddings and state affairs.
The ascot is shorter than a standard tie, secured at the throat with a knot or pin, with wide ends that are sometimes secured under a jacket or shirt for formal occasions or left loose for casual wear. It is usually made of silk. Early versions were uniformly grey, but since the ascot has seen casual wear it can be any color or combination of colours; The hippies who wore it in the 1960s were fond of bright colors in psychedelic patterns. The ascot is also part of the standard uniform for students at the United States Army Officer Candidate School and other military academies. When worn by military cadets, their colors must conform to officially sanctioned designs dependent on the cadet’s seniority.
Costume designers for movies and television shows sometimes wear the ascot for characters who have an old-fashioned or eccentric sense of fashion. The most famous example is Austin Powers, whose outfits are based on Swinging London fashion. Other examples include Fred in the film and cartoon versions of Scooby-Doo, and Don Knotts’ character Ralph Furley in the 1930s television series Three’s Company. In the 2010 film Toy Story 3, the character Ken doll wears an ascot, one of many subtle hints that the character is confused about his gender role.
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