Shirts & Argyll Jackets

[Jock Scot]

Are we at cross purposes here?I (we)this side of the Atlantic know a dress shirt as being worn with a dinner suit(tux?).Or in kilt terms the Prince Charlie

I seem to be getting the signal that you chaps in the USA and perhaps Canada regard a dress shirt as a white shirt that is worn with a lounge/business type of suit.

Or in kilt terms the white collared shirt that might be worn with a tweed Argyll(suit) and the same sort of white shirt that should be worn with a black Argyll and silver buttons(morning suit)are,I think,regarded by you chaps the other side of the Atlantic as a dress shirt.

I wonder?

[James MacMillan]

In Southern California, the dress codes (if any exist!) are far more relaxed!

You see the non-kilted in all kinds of strange, to my eye, color combinations.

I attend a lot of functions where the bifrocated (spelling?) (you know The Hated Cloth Tubes - THCT's) wear many color combinations. I also know men who don't own anything but white dress shirts. There seems to be a feeling, among some men, that any coat or jacket requires a white shirt. I am not one of those.

I think the choice just comes down to matching the colors so that they are pleasing to the eye.

I also try to match, or coordinate the colors of my hose to the shirt, and the shirt to please the tartan. And then the jacket to match the shirt and hose. -Or sometimes I start in reverse.....coat/jacket, then shirt, then kilt, and lastly hose and flashes. -Or some days, I feel like wearing a particular kilt, and then just try to match everything.

I do seem to have some internal rules. Brown shoes with brown belt and sporran. Balck, likewise.

I feel that is the predominate key. The overall colors should meld together.

With the tartan kilt, you already know which colors look good together, so it is easier to pick out a color to use.

I do have two pair of red hose that I almost never wear, but I have worn a red golf shirt, red hose, dark green flashes and dark green kilt. I don't think I would try red hose with a red kilt, and red shirt...... but who knows?

[McMurdo]

Jock, as for me in Canada, have dress shirts that I wear with the argyle, some of these have a button cuff while others have a turn up or French cuff, which requires a pair of cuff links. As for my Prince Charlie I wear a tuxedo shirt from Pierre Cardin or a Kenneth Cole tuxedo shirt, again with cuff links. They are two different animals as I see it, I hope that this explains a little what I see as a dress shirt.

[Jock Scot]

Hi Street car,the point that I am trying to make is that with a TWEED Argyll the sky is almost the limit in choice of colour,style etc.of shirt.With the Black Silver buttoned Argyll there is very little choice of shirt to be had.When it all comes down to it,it is of course all down to personal choice.

[Jock Scot]

Jock, as for me in Canada, have dress shirts that I wear with the argyle, some of these have a button cuff while others have a turn up or French cuff, which requires a pair of cuff links. As for my Prince Charlie I wear a tuxedo shirt from Pierre Cardin or a Kenneth Cole tuxedo shirt, again with cuff links. They are two different animals as I see it, I hope that this explains a little what I see as a dress shirt.

Ah ha!We are talking at cross purposes!I(we)would ONLY see a tuxedo shirt as a dress shirt.

[Streetcar]

Jock Scott, I agree about the Tweed jacket - but you raise an interesting point about "dress" shirts.

I think of a dress shirt as one that is worn on a daily basis with a business suit or sport jacket. The dress shirts I think of come in a variety of colors, plain or striped.
It may have a more proper name (business shirt?) but I've always known them as dress shirts.

But after reading your post, I understand what you mean by dress shirt, and I have one myself.

Wasn't it George Bernard Shaw who said something about "...two countries separated by a common language?"

I apologize for misunderstanding you earlier posts!

[Jock Scot]

Thanks Streetcar.Phew!

[MacWage]

Ah ha!We are talking at cross purposes!I(we)would ONLY see a tuxedo shirt as a dress shirt.

I was thinking the same thing and should have posted just after your post at the top of this page.

In general, here (in the US), a "dress shirt" is ANY nicer button down shirt. Outside of "dress" is a flannel shirt, though some around ME (in the rural areas) see THOSE as "dress shirts" too (at least the nicer flannel ones).
Personally, I use the term for ANY buttoned closure shirt I would usually wear with a short coat/jacket/suit and tie (if collared). So, I have them in white, gray, blue, tan/khaki, and a few "tartan" ones that I wear sans tie and with an open top button.
A "tux" shirt is either called just that, or a formal shirt, fluted/pleated shirt.

Most around me don't have anything more formal than slacks and a decent "semi-formal" sports coat. Generally one may only wear a tux at prom and a wedding. Few own one and most rent on the RARE occasions one wears one.

Accordingly, the standards of "dress," "casual," and "lounging" are skewed to the more jeans/shorts and t-shirt side. "Formal" can JUST mean a nice suit (and non-cheesy tie)!
When "dressed up," I tend to be more dressy than most.
What I tend to NOT do much is the "nice casual" of khakis and polo. I am usually either more casual (t-shirt) or nicer (shirt and tie-level, with or without tie).

Now, back to topic.
I would see NO problem in a nicer blue, gray, or tan shirts with a black with silver Argyle-style jacket (whatever the cuffs). Though, a simple (or matching/coordinating tartan) tie would probably look better to be than without. Otherwise, I would do for a more casual cut and trimmed jacket (like one modded from a "saxon" jacket).

With my Carolina tartan kilt, a blue shirt with a black tie and my black argyle wouldn't look too bad.

I see my silver buttoned black Argyle as my "nice" kilt jacket and to be worn with the vest and nice shirt.
After I finish one more kilt, I plan to FINISH modding several tweed and navy jackets for more casual usage.

[Jock Scot]

Hi Macwage,thanks for that.I think the tartan tie issue is yet another transatlantic divergance.A new thread perhaps?

[MacWage]

Hi Macwage,thanks for that.I think the tartan tie issue is yet another transatlantic divergance.A new thread perhaps?

Yes, it would be (and the matter of MUCH debate). I'll just say, I ONLY wear a MATCHING one or a solid tie in a tone that MATCHES the kilt (usually I just wear a black one).