Tie Colors/Pattern for kilts

[MacWage]

I know this has come up before, but "tie" is too short for the search feature and some of the newer members have hinted at opinions.

So, what ties do you like to wear with a TARTAN kilt?

Plain/solid? (of course)
-I'm sure this one WILL be popular- BUT, explain with examples!

Tartan?
-If so, matching or coordinating (different tartan in similar toning)?

Stripes?
-Explain

Cutesy?
-Pictures (Mickey Mouse, Tabasco Bottles, Coca-Cola, Trees, etc.)

Express your thoughts

(I am VERY curious to how different parts of the world see the matter and what is done in one place and not others)

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I think a solid colored tie is always a safe choice. You can wear a tie to match the dominant color of your kilt, or to tie in (no pun intended, but enjoy it anyway) with one of the minor colors.

In the photo on my main home page, I'm wearing a solid tie to match the tartan in both my kilt and vest:
http://www.albanach.org/

With this particular tartan, I thought matching the dominant color to be the best bet. Whether you choose to match the dominant color or not will depend a lot upon the colors of your tartan, and the look you are going for. For example, the Grant tartan has a small azure stripe, and wearing a light blue tie to accent that looks fabulous, in my opinion.

I don't often wear matching tartan ties. In fact I don't think I even have a picture of myself in one. But I do have one tie that matches one of my kilts, and to my memory the only times I have worn it have been with an open Argyle jacket, sans vest, as you see in the picture in the upper right of this page:
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/kiltpage.html

However, I think a solid vest to break up the tartan between the tie and the kilt would look very nice, and might appease some who normally object to the tartan tie as "too much tartan."

As to ties with other patterns, such as stripes, etc., regimental ties (and I believe also some school ties) are striped, and I've always thought these have looked just fine worn with kilts. I don't have any photos handy, but if you search the web I'm sure you'll find some.

I think a patterned tie can look great with a kilt -- the trick is to find a pattern that looks good with the tartan. For one of the Burns Suppers I attended last year, I wore a green tie with a "medieval manuscript" type print on it with my Carolina tartan kilt, black Argyle and vest.


I know you can't see much of the tie in the image, because of the vest, but that's perfectly fine. I didn't want the tie to overwhelm, just to add a spash of color at the neck. I think it worked out well.

I know the subject here is neck ties, not bow ties, but since the gentleman I'm shown with in the above picture is wearing a tartan bow tie, I will chime in and say that I think a solid colored bow tie looks much better worn with formal Highland attire than does one from tartan.

[davedove]

When I wear a tie (which doesn't happen a lot), I like to wear a solid color that matches the dominant color of the kilt. Below shows a red tie with the MacIan tartan kilt and a lovat blue/grey tie with the Edwards tartan kilt:





I have to agree with Matt about the tartan bow tie above. With the formal outfit, the tartan tie looks too informal to me. However, I think that would be a great tie to go with a tweed jacket and that kilt.

[McMurdo]

When I wear my Prince Charlie I wear a black bow tie, a tartan bow tie just never seemed like a good idea to me, as for an Argyle, I wear a solid tie here is about the only picture I have of me with my Argyle and a tie on:

[irishrob]

In my opinion, I am most fortunate to have tartan ties that match my favorite "dress" kilts. Everytime I wear a kilt with matching tie and flashes I get the "everything matches" comment. These are generally from folks whose sartorial accomplishments are of a higher and newer fashion then mine.

Rob

[Rampant Lion]

In this picture my brother is wearing a striped tie with his kilt and I'm wearing a solid(actually there is a patern, but you can't make it out unless you're up close). I think both worked. I think adding a belt to my brother's outfit is really the only thing that I think could've made the outfit better for that level of dressiness.

In this outfit I matched my tie to the least dominant colour of the kilt. But I think we have to remember that the tie must look good with the kilt and the rest of the outfit.

Another thing you may also notice is that I'm wearing a skinny tie. Now I don't think all people can get away with this, but since I'm skinny it still looks proportioned. I think with my build, a regular sized tie can look squat on me when I have it tied to a kilt wearing length.

[PiobBear]

So, what ties do you like to wear with a TARTAN kilt?

Plain/solid?

The ties I wear most often.
One kilt (Georgia) has a prominent MacIntosh Red stripe; I've a wool tie (and flashes) to match.
Most of my kilts are predominantly green, I've a green tie that's a bit more subdued than the MacIntosh Red.
For funerals, I wear a black tie.

Tartan?

No. Not with a kilt, anyway. With a sportcoat, almost exclusively.

Stripes?

I've a regimental Legion tie, which I suppose I'd wear if need be with an Argyll jacket, but as our color guard wears white tropical uniform shirts with Legion dickies, the issue has never come up. I've a college tie in the stripe of my alma mater, but have never had the occasion to wear it with a kilt.

Cutesy?

My wife gave me a Guinness tie, which I was compelled to wear to our local Celtic Festival a few years back.

[Jock Scot]

Generally speaking tartan ties are not seen here as often as the solid colour or the regimental/university/old school tie.Why this is so,I am not too sure,although the" no tartan above the waist with the kilt" thing may come into it.

I have not heard that expression here for years,so it may be one of those conventions that is dying.Does it matter?Not one bit.

I would not wear a tartan tie for no other reason than,to me,they do not look right.

[macwilkin]

Prince Charles often wears regimental ties (most notably the old Gordon Highlanders tie) with his day attire.

When I was made an honourary member of Lord Strathcona's Horse, a Canadian armored regiment, I was presented with one of their regimental ties, which I frequently wear with my day attire. I also have several emblem ties that work well with the kilt.

Regards,

Todd

[Riverkilt]

Boy, I do so hate neckties. Swore them off when I left corporate America in 1992. Agree with Linda Elerby who said something to the effect of how smart can men be to start their day with a noose around their neck.

But, I have occasionally worn a necktie to a wedding or funeral or formal occasion at the office.

And a tartan tie does sort of "Scottish up" a solid color kilt. This is my Macdonald Lord of the Isles hunting necktie with an olive Utilikilt Mocker.



No clue what the occasion was.

Ron