Ties

[BCAC]

That seems to be the generally accepted view of it, but I'll be darned if I can understand why. One would think that stripes would be less of a conflict with tartan than tattersal. Maybe it's because stripes tend to visually jump out more than a subtle tattersal pattern.

But on that subject, it's not a universal rule that stripes can't be worn. Here are three photos from the Argyllshire Gathering and Oban Games (as posted by Kyle). I don't care for the look, but it's certainly not the kind of thing that will get you arrested by the THCD police.



Note, however, that these are basically white shirts with coloured stripes, not two-tone striped shirts that are dark.

Hmm. How can I reply without sounding OTT or biased in any way. I don't like the look. Maybe some people do, but I don't. In the second picture the guy is wearing a striped shirt with trews. It's still stripes with tartan, though. It seems in the last picture that the guy is wearing a Saxon jacket with a striped shirt and a kilt. Perhaps, just because it was done that day in Scotland (Argyllshire) doesn't necessarily make it "right" or "good"? I have to agree, though, with Jock's analysis.

[Tobus]

Hmm. How can I reply without sounding OTT or biased in any way. I don't like the look. Maybe some people do, but I don't. In the second picture the guy is wearing a striped shirt with trews. It's still stripes with tartan, though. It seems in the last picture that the guy is wearing a Saxon jacket with a striped shirt and a kilt. Perhaps, just because it was done that day in Scotland (Argyllshire) doesn't necessarily make it "right" or "good"? I have to agree, though, with Jock's analysis.

I don't disagree with any of that. I'm not a fan of striped shirts with tartan. I was just pointing out that it's not an absolutely prohibited choice. The fact that three men were wearing it on the same day in Scotland says that it isn't just an aberration. But yes, just because they're wearing it doesn't make it necessarily in line with THCD.

But I'll bet if we saw HRH the Duke of Rothesay wearing one, everyone would suddenly jump on the bandwagon and be singing the praises of striped shirts with kilts.

[frank_a]

First of all, I once again wholeheartedly agree with your statement about HRH Tobus. I have absolutely no doubt you are correct.

Without sounding too dumb, pray tell, what is "THCD?"

Frank

[Tobus]

THCD is traditional Highland civilian dress. Not a formal dress code, but it's a term that's often used to describe the way traditional (modern, not historical) Highland Scots tend to wear the kilt.

[Zardoz]

But I'll bet if we saw HRH the Duke of Rothesay wearing one, everyone would suddenly jump on the bandwagon and be singing the praises of striped shirts with kilts.

Thanks for saying that so I didn't have to!