Tie with a Prince Charlie

[CDNSushi]

Back to the original topic of wearing a long tie with a PC jacket...

I've also done this -- in fact, I did it yesterday. Here's my explanation. As much as I would wish it to be otherwise, I just cannot afford to have every bit of kit that would allow me the full freedom to express proper tradition across the full gamut of Highland formalities. I have a grey Argyll, and I have a PC. So I make do.

I wanted to attend my high school students' graduation ceremony following Japanese custom (white necktie, black suit) while incorporating the kilted element as well to express my Canadianness. I've worn my grey Argyll before, but it's really not quite right or appropriate for the occasion, as it's just not formal enough. The school principals generally wear tails with waistcoats, and in this situation, the color is more important than the style, so I opted to wear the PC. I just wore it without the waistcoat. I chose a wingtip collar shirt, because I think they look modern and interesting when worn with a regular tie, with French cuffs. Also, you can't see it in the photo, but the tie is white silk, with a shadow tartan inlay.

So the way I see it, is:

a) that 99% of the world's population (and about 100% of the Japanese population) wouldn't know what a PC was, let alone the way it's usually worn.

b) they really don't care

c) I got zillions of compliments, and even in my own eye, I thought I looked fine.

Anyway. ::

[Nik]

Thank you CDNsushi. That was much the look I mentioned on the first page. I think the look is just fine and actually gives you a longer profile as your tie drass the eye down... but I'm sure you are tall enough already. But again good look.

-Nik

[OC Richard]

Sushi, that's exactly the look I like! The stand collar shirt worn with long tie. It's what I wore to see The Black Watch a couple days ago. I got many compliments; as you say, very few people know how PCs are "supposed" to be worn

[David Thorpe]

Back to the original topic of wearing a long tie with a PC jacket... ...I wanted to attend my high school students' graduation ceremony following Japanese custom (white necktie, black suit) while incorporating the kilted element as well to express my Canadianness. I've worn my grey Argyll before, but it's really not quite right or appropriate for the occasion, as it's just not formal enough. The school principals generally wear tails with waistcoats, and in this situation, the color is more important than the style, so I opted to wear the PC. I just wore it without the waistcoat. I chose a wingtip collar shirt, because I think they look modern and interesting when worn with a regular tie, with French cuffs. Also, you can't see it in the photo, but the tie is white silk, with a shadow tartan inlay.

An excellent job of tiptoeing through the minefield - occasion, venue, tradition and personal taste. Well done indeed, Colin!

[Glen]

...the Black Watch pipers in the 19th century who wore Royal Stewart kilts & plaids with Black Watch tartan doublets...

Interesting. It would be great to see a painting with these...

[OC Richard]

Interesting. It would be great to see a painting with these...

Here's a painting, 1854



and the famous 1855 photograph



which it's hard to see here, but in large clear versions of it you can clearly see that the coatee is tartan, Black Watch tartan, contrasting with the Royal Stewart kilt & plaid. Even today the pipers of The Black Watch have both tartans in their uniform: the piper's kilts and plaids are Royal Stewart tartan, their bag-covers and cords are Black Watch tartan, and the front drone ribbon is Royal Stewart tartan but the back drone ribbon is Black Watch tartan.