Newbie question - I am doing this right?

**Zardoz** · 14th October 12, 01:02 PM

Looking great, I agree on the tie knot thing, if that's one of those wool ties like many kilt vendors sell they are pretty thick and hard to get into a 'compact' knot, unless done four-in-hand style. I hardly ever wear the ones I have for that reason.
I'd also suggest trying a sporran strap instead of the hangers, but the hangers work better for many folks, go with what's comfy and looks good to you.
And don't be ashamed that you know how to color coordinate! Yeah, those are 'safe' choices, but there's plenty of time to experiment and find your personal style once you get more comfortable.

Great overall though, I wish my early efforts with trad daywear looked as good!

**Army** · 14th October 12, 04:37 PM

Thanks again for the comments. I'm going to have to try that four-in-hand knot, the only one I've ever tied is a full Windsor....but then I've never had a wool tie before either.

**Tobus** · 15th October 12, 06:21 AM

Heh, I was the same way, kind of. I only knew how to tie a half-Windsor and never really figured I'd need or want to know how to tie a full Windsor, Pratt, or a Four-in-Hand. But that versatility can make a big difference in style and proportion (there it is again!), depending on the tie material, collar, pattern, and style you're looking for on any given occasion. It adds another dimension to spice up your dressing style. The Four-in-Hand has an off-centered look to it which I used to dislike. I use it for a more casual or 'haphazard' look.

http://www.tie-a-tie.net/

**Zardoz** · 15th October 12, 04:23 PM

Yeah, I would add that a four-in-hand knot might not look as good as a full of half windsor with wider collar styles.

**Army** · 17th October 12, 08:35 PM

Ok, here is my first attempt at incorporating some of the very helpful comments that you guys have been kind enough to give...

I switched out the plain white shirt with a patterned one, the plain wool tie with a striped one (admittedly the knot sucks, I'm really going to have to work on that four-in-hand), the "chunky" shoes were swapped out for a pair of thinner soled dress shoes and I pulled the kilt hose down a bit (hopefully not too far). I'm going to order a pair of self-tie garters, because after looking into them a bit more, they really do look cool. I had decided on using sporran hangers as I would be considered a "gentleman of substance" (love that term by the way), but am also looking into a sporran belt as well.

**CMcG** · 18th October 12, 03:27 AM

Good job, Army, you've upped your trad kilt game already!

**BCAC** · 18th October 12, 05:17 AM

That's much better!

I am afraid that I just can't handle those "sporran hangers", but to each their own. Some people do like them, but I don't.

Well done.

As an afterthought it might be interesting to try that outfit with a contrasting colour of hose (red, yellow or mustard perhaps).

**Tobus** · 18th October 12, 05:53 AM

I switched out the plain white shirt with a patterned one, the plain wool tie with a striped one (admittedly the knot sucks, I'm really going to have to work on that four-in-hand), the "chunky" shoes were swapped out for a pair of thinner soled dress shoes and I pulled the kilt hose down a bit (hopefully not too far).

Well done on all counts! The patterned shirt and striped tie add a nice effect, don't you think? Now if you can just find a patterned shirt that doesn't have a button-down collar, it will be darn near perfect.

I wouldn't worry too much about the tie knot being imperfect. That's how a Four-in-Hand looks: crooked. To me, the hose height looks great; I wouldn't go any lower than that. And I like the shoe choice. All in all, I think everything you've changed is an improvement, especially when it comes to proportions.

I'm with BCAC on the sporran hangers, though. However, I'm not a "man of substance" (which I fear makes me an "insubstantial man" or a "man who lacks substance"

), and I can understand why you might choose them over a traditional sporran belt.