Need help coordinating shirt/hose/tie/flashes

[Shaun S.]

My first attempt to post a picture to this site; I hope it works. I don't have the jacket or garter ties yet, but working on it.

[saxandpipes]

My 2c, for what it's worth (well, I guess that would be 2c, wouldn't it...). Actually something I've learned here:

"Matching" in Highland attire isn't about matching colours, but getting the same levels of formality and appropriateness for the various items you're putting together. Bearing in mind, as others have stated here, that some items (e.g. black Argyll jackets) are really very versatile.

Even if you do end up going off-white for the hose, (my advice would also be to avoid them if possible) don't wear an off-white shirt. A nice plain WHITE shirt will look infinitely better, and will "match".

A simple rule might be:

1. White shirt- most formal (formal evening)
2. Plain (light) colour shirts- slightly less formal (informal evening)
3. Simple stripes (let's say indistiguishable from about 5 metres)- even less formal (formal daywear)... and better stick with blue.
4. Check/gingham/tattersal- least formal (informal daywear)

With jackets being: doublet for the first, black Argyll for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Tweed for the last.

Could probably be made into a handy venn diagram, but I'm not trying to make any real "rules", just give a bit of clarification into where the various elements might fit- a sort of rough guide. The lines between the the levels of style are of course not totally set- and will depend of the level of formality you want to achieve for a particular event.

Hope it helps!

Looking forward to the pictures!

Cheers,

Michael