Stocks and cravats

[Calico Jack]

More 1780-1812 than GAoP, but I'm interested in the civilian cravat of the period as an option to the military neck-stock . There's a wide variety of partial descriptions and partial instructions out there on "the internet," but I was wondering if anyone had dug up a concise description and instructions [both manufacture and tie] for a civilian cravat - yes, most likely white linen rather than black, being civilian rather than military. What would have been a likely knot for the post-Rev War period?

Any help most welcome.

[Capt. Sterling]

Try Sketch Book '76 by Robert L. Klinger

also a little something thanks to George Woodbridge

The linen neck stocks will work just as well for civilians... but use white instead of the black

also just try a regular neckerchief, folded into a triangle and then fold the tail/point in again and again until you have what looks like a long, slender rectangle... wrap around yer neck and tie in a square knot... plain and simple and looks great.

[SilasTalbot]

I've made some adjustments to my neckwear along the same lines - since my usual focus is RevWar to 1803. I was informed by some veteran RevWar re-enactors that my neck stock was wrong, and after listening to them, I (for once...) had to cave to the historical correctness police.

I wanted the same look as in the portrait of Capt. Talbot that I use as an avatar. I got it by combining Capt. Sterling's suggestion of using a regular neckerchief knotted around my neck, and wearing a ruffled shirt with a bit of ruffle pulled through the top buttons of my waistcoat. I finally had to agree with the re-enactors who kept telling me that my old "neck stock with dangly bits" just didn't cut it.

Thanks for the diagram, Capt. Sterling.

[Capt. Sterling]

Aye long dangly bits, or cravat ends or the longer steinkirk, were pretty much passe` by the later 18th century turn into the 19th... what might appear to look like loose ends in most artwork was actually the ruffle which was sewn directly to the shirt neck opening...

and you are most welcome...

[Calico Jack]

Many thanks, gentlemen. I may in the end cave and simply build a stock, but the barrel-knot cravat and some others were still being used amongst the "non-coms" like the naval surgeons, in the Royal Navy even at Trafalgar, so I may still aim to do a cravat [2" by 30", and such].

The illustration is most helpful for the stock, however. That'll help when I get 'round to having the stock as a solid option.