Regimental ties

**TheOfficialBren** · 25th March 14, 11:07 PM

Love 'em. I wear a striped tie when I wear a tie whether in Saxon or Highland dress. Classic.
Wish my alma matter had a tie...

I'd love a CAP (Civil Air Patrol) regimental tie. It was ages ago but I did some modest time in dress blues (California Wing, Squadron 122).

Definately great ties, Nathan. Hats off to all of you folks who are or have been in uniform.

**Jock Scot** · 26th March 14, 02:11 AM

A "perfect combination" gets my vote. OK, I would guess that most of you would expect me to say that!

However, Regimental style ties when worn with the kilt has stood the test of time and whatever the colour combinations of the tie may be-----and there really are some "interesting" colour combinations out there!--------they do work and work well. Whilst I do not recognise all the regimental, club, school, university, college tie colour combinations, it is really helpful to know them as it does tell, at a glance, a lot about the wearer. Not only his Clan, but also, a bit about his past, which does help hugely on occasion and can be very enlightening, even if you never say a word to them.

This is why wearing "your" tartan and ties that you are entitled to wear are so important to us over here. I see a stranger and at a glance I see he's wearing a MacKarrot tartan------so he has a connection, however slim that might be, to Easter Loamshire------------and he is wearing a Royal Signals tie -------so he served in the army and I know what branch. I may see him on another day wearing the same tartan, but wearing an Old Harrovians tie, Fort William High School tie, or Trinity College Dublin tie, or wherever and then I know a wee tad about his education and know that he knows about a certain part of the world. As I have already said, it helps no end when starting a conversation with a stranger as several questions have already, but silently, been answered.

This is why wearing any tartan and many of them and many and various regimental style ties that one is not entitled to, is so confusing to some of us in the UK. And , why we don't like this "I can wear what I like" attitude.

What about two or three random stripes in the style of a regimental tie, that are fashion ties? I hear you ask. Well, why not, they are just as effective when worn with the kilt----------------and the do cause us tie watchers to draw some interesting conclusions! Just as some fashion tartans do.

**Geoff Withnell** · 26th March 14, 07:34 AM

A regimental "style" tie can lead to an embarassing situation. I was wearing one such (or thought I was) at a professional society meeting a few years back. During a "networking" session, fellow with a pronounced "Brit" accent, wearing the same tie greeted me enthusiastically, and was quite taken aback to find I was NOT a veteran of his regiment. I quickly explained that I had bought the tie in a regular men's shop, and it had not been labeled as belonging to a specific regiment. I then took it off, and handed it to him. "You may as well have a spare. Knowing it belongs to your unit, I certainly can't wear it again."
I am one Yankee who completely agrees with the UK attitude. When I see someone in Davidson tartan, I expect them to be a Davidson, and will strike up a conversation based on our mutual (remote) connection. When I see someone in the USMC tie, or wearing USMC tartan or insignia, I will greet them with "Semper Fi!" and expect them to be part of the brotherhood. Maybe I'm an old fashion curmudgeon, but that's how I feel.

**creagdhubh** · 26th March 14, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

I think they work perfectly. I also think those will look great with your tartan.

I agree. I think they look smashing!

**creagdhubh** · 26th March 14, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

I tend to wear striped ties for work. I have striped and emblematic USMC ties that I wear when kilted. I think this style of tie looks very nice with THCD, much better than the solid color ties sold by highland merchants.

I agree, David.

USMC Regimental tie from Ben Silver (I think you may have one as well!)

S/F,

**Holcombe Thomas** · 26th March 14, 09:46 AM

I had an experience similar to Geoff's. At an ANZAC Day observance in New Zealand many years ago, I was approached by a gentlemen who wondered when I had served in the British regiment represented by the tie I was wearing, a regiment in which he had served. Given that I am American and have no connections to any British military organizations, I was a bit chagrined and immediately retired all of my striped ties until I could determine which might belong to any organization to which I did not belong. I've been leery of striped ties since.

I have to say I agree with the British approach, too.

Holcombe

**ChuckTN** · 26th March 14, 10:39 AM

So, it appears that most of us can get away with the regimental ties at functions here in the US, but maybe should not try to do so when in another country. I like the way the colors in regimental ties work with kilts. I was looking around in The Scottish Regimental Store's online site and they do have a Soldiers Charity tie (nice colors) that can be worn by anyone. http://www.scottishregimentalstore.c...ster-222-p.asp

**DyerStraits** · 26th March 14, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

Love 'em. I wear a striped tie when I wear a tie whether in Saxon or Highland dress. Classic.
Wish my alma matter had a tie...

I'd love a CAP (Civil Air Patrol) regimental tie. It was ages ago but I did some modest time in dress blues (California Wing, Squadron 122).

Definately great ties, Nathan. Hats off to all of you folks who are or have been in uniform.

In some ways I think regimental/club/school stripe ties actually look better with dress Highland wear than tartan ones, in a contrasting kind of way--pattern mixing is of course a tricky game but yields smart results if you know what you're doing. I also really like crest ties with my kilts and plan to order a Lamont crest tie soon.

My alma mater actually does have a necktie--black background with narrow, widely spaced gold diagonal stripes--which I haven't seen since my student days. Wish I could find one somewhere--it would look especially good with my Irish National kilt.

**creagdhubh** · 26th March 14, 11:30 AM

Along with regimental ties, I'm a big fan of my Barbour "Sitting Pheasant" and "Flying Mallard" ties (in various colours that tone well with tweed and fine shirtings) with Highland Dress. Especially paired with a smart tattersal, or check shirt. Then again, I have always been rather fond of country attire - kilt or no kilt.

**DyerStraits** · 26th March 14, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Along with regimental ties, I'm a big fan of my Barbour "Sitting Pheasant" and "Flying Mallard" ties (in various colours that tone well with tweed and fine shirtings) with Highland Dress. Especially paired with a smart tattersal, or check shirt. Then again, I have always been rather fond of country attire - kilt or no kilt.

I agree, shooting ties do look great with Highland wear. I also have always loved classic British country wear--I still think about the moss green Donegal tweed Norfolk jacket I had when I was younger and sadly outgrew, and there's also no better outerwear than a good Barbour waxed cotton coat.