Well, boys, I like the whole idea put forward by Jock. Unfortunately, it'll never fly over here. Just not part of our tradition.

I confess to having a Dragoons tie I purchased from Land's Eng years ago, but I bought it for the colors. I also have an Argyl and Sutherland I got for the same reasons: it matched the colors I wanted in a tie. Both we colorful but somewhat muted and tasteful. And no one over here woud accuse me of being a poser since no one over here would recogize the pattern.

Unfortunately, a lot of the USMC ties I see are garish and more suited to a clown's outit than a sport coat/argyl jacket.

I like ties. I wear them any time they might be in order, whether kilted or no. And I havce learned that ties do not choke--only ill fitting shirts choke the wearer. But unfortunately, style and grace and tasteful dress for gentlemen is not in fahsion these days, so I am a rarity.

I'd like to think we'd wear service or school ties over here, but we won't. The closest we'll see will be solid colored ties with emblems emblazed upon them. As long as the colors are irridescent, I guess that will do.