Shirt and Tie advice

**Warhoover** · 3rd October 07, 08:39 AM

Now that I have my new "Tank" in Ancient Grant. I was wondering if I could get some color coordination advice. I have been asked by my daughter to wear my new kilt to a school function, coming up at the end of the week. Short notice is always fun isn't it!!!

My wife is out of town on business and she usually handles my color coordination as I am very lacking it that area

.

Anyway, I was looking for advice on a color for a dress shirt and tie to go with my kilt. I was thinking either white or pale blue but what color tie would go with it?

I currently have only Lovat Green hose available, the others I have ordered won't be here in time. I have to go with fully fashioned because of my calves. Flashes are of the same tartan.

Any advice would be appreciated!

**James MacMillan** · 3rd October 07, 08:52 AM

The hose work! Take the tartan with you and try to get a shirt close to the lovat green of your hose, then a darker tie to bring out the dark stripe in the tartan.

I think that would work.

Of course, a tartan tie would also work.

No jacket?

**Warhoover** · 3rd October 07, 09:00 AM

Unfortunately, no jacket at this time. I had some unexpected expenditures that wiped out my jacket fund recently. Have been hinting to the wife though for my birthday / Christmas present. (fingers crossed and all that) Thanks for the idea of the shirt to match the Lovat Green. Did not think of that. As I said when it comes to fashion I am color blind!

**pipesndrumsnun** · 3rd October 07, 09:30 AM

A crisp white dress shirt with a red or green tie would look nice, too!

**McMurdo** · 3rd October 07, 09:34 AM

I would second the solid lovat green, or as close as you get tie, and a white dress shirt. Red would work as well I suppose, however with the green you are then tying in the rest of your outfit.

**James MacMillan** · 3rd October 07, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Warhoover

Unfortunately, no jacket at this time. I had some unexpected expenditures that wiped out my jacket fund recently. Have been hinting to the wife though for my birthday / Christmas present. (fingers crossed and all that) Thanks for the idea of the shirt to match the Lovat Green. Did not think of that. As I said when it comes to fashion I am color blind!

The chosen tartan for the day should be the guide for the other colors. I should say that I am not a big fan of white dress shirts, except for formal attire.

What I do, (and I am not a sworn member of the fashion police in any way!) is to use the minor colors of the tartan for the hose and shirt.

You already know that the minor colors go together, because they are woven into the tartan.

Also most tartan usually has more than one "minor" colors. Pick the one that you want to emphasis, and then accent one of the other "minor colors with the rest of your clothing options.

For instance, today I am wearing the Royal Stewart. We all know the colors of that. RED, Green, blue, white and yellow. Today I chose a green shirt, green hose, red flashes, and I have a cream colored tie ready, if needed.

I'm not at home, or I would show a flick.

**Mark Keeney** · 3rd October 07, 10:33 AM

White shirt with a tie of any color of the tartan or black. Colored shirts are just a little more casual.

**Chef** · 3rd October 07, 11:26 AM

On short notice you may have trouble finding the right coloured shirt. If that is the case a light tan (aka khaki) one will work. It looks a bit military but that's the reason it works. This will give you more options in picking out a tie that matches. It needs to be a tie that picks up a colour in the kilt. A solid tie is IMHO best but a tie with a small size pattern will work as well. If you can find wool tie that would be great but it can be difficult in the states. In about three weeks I would have the right colour in stock for you but not yet.

Also if I am correct the picture you posted makes the tartan look darker than it is. If that is the case., the red is almost closer to orange than red, so be careful buying any coloured accessories if you don't take the kilt with you.

**Moosedog** · 3rd October 07, 11:42 AM

Hi, Warhoover,

You are starting off well with that beautiful kilt and hose. That is about 3/4 of the battle.

Either a lovat green or a lighter shade of it would make a nice shirt, but as Chef pointed out it's a lot harder to find a shirt you like in the right color than it is to find a tie. White shirts can be formal but with no jacket, a white or khaki shirt, tie in lovat green or that picks out another minor color of the kilt, would look very sharp. Like James said, use the color of the tartan as your guide.

Then check for balance in terms of "weight" of the colors. Not all dark and not all light.

An don't forget, you have the BEST accessory already, in a daughter who is proud enough of you to ask you to the function kilted. You can't go wrong, friend!

Moosedog

**auld argonian** · 3rd October 07, 11:58 AM

Beware of the tendency to scrupulously match colors...I can't really put my finger on the reason why I feel that way but it just doesn't look quite right to me. Remember that there are such things as neutral colors and you might have more luck finding them. I believe that a tan or khaki colored shirt was mentioned...I have a couple of shirts in that color range and they're very versatile. If you have a Kohl's nearby, go look at the shirt selection...of all of the stores around here they have the widest collection of brands and styles so that's why I suggest them. Twill shirts seem to be "in" right now and I've seen them in cotton and cotton poly blend in lots of colors. The kilt has enough color in it...look at neutrals (white, grey, tan, off-white...black can be pretty severe but it's still neutral). That all-over matching look just kind of looks like a uniform of some kind...too manufactured.

Best

AA