Mixing patterns

[Jock Scot]

Thanks, Jock, Maybe the Smart Turnout people could be convinced to do a kilt-length in some of those hose?

I read somewhere that there are more A&SH neckties in Connecticut than in all of the UK. I have to say, my favorite Regimental tie is the Artillery, with its zigzag lines. It is a perfect graphic representation of what the Artillery do.

When I last visited Scotland, my ties had little ducks and pheasants on them. I was prepared to deal with any offended fowl- in fact I borrowed a gun and went looking for them one day.

The Royal Artillery, please!

Some of us spend(health permitting) rather a lot of time pursuing assorted birds, fish and mammals in Scotland!

[macwilkin]

There are those who would say that you have no soul - I could not possibly comment on that.

Regards

Chas

Spot on Chas, for your previous post and this one.

T.

[pdcorlis]

Thanks Jock and MacLowlife - I imagined as much when it comes to regimental regalia (if that's the right word) but wanted to be sure I was clear on the issue. No problems with this yank.

And... yes we did talk about a club tie at one point.

[svc40bt]

I'd like to see that combination with a weathered/muted tartan kilt, a pair of oatmeal/tan hose, and some sort of brown lace-up shoes. :

Me too, do you have a weathered kilt and oatmeal hose to donate to the cause?

Right now I wear it to work with brown moleskin trousers. I think even Jock might think it clashed with modern MacLeod of Harris, or modern Scott Red. Not to mention it is Saxon cut, not designed to be worn with the kilt.

I would definitely wear the paisley tie, I have several, but none that would work with that color scheme.

[Rex_Tremende]

Here's what I wore to the office today, the part pertaining to this thread is the mixing of three textures in the sweater vest (yellow, blue and white argyle), a yellow silk tie with square blue and white dots in a gold grid, and a white on white houndstooth weave shirt.

Four patterns in four scales in a repeating color palette make this work for me: Large - a solid blue blazer, medium - the argyle pattern, small - the gridded dots, and tiny - houndstooth.

Quiz #1: Why is a solid tie not the best choice for this sweater?

Quiz #2: If you did choose a solid tie, what color should it be?

Regards,
Rex.

Regards,
Rex.

[pdcorlis]

Ok Rex, I'll give it a go

#1. Since the eye always focuses on difference - a solid color tie would become an unwelcome focal point in an otherwise textured and patterned ensemble.

#2. If I were to pick a solid color tie for this ensemble - I'd pick pale blue to co-ordinate with the light blue overcheck in the argyle sweater.

Ok Professor - how'd I do?

Cheers!

[JamieKerr]

As one who does not typically mix patterns, please tell me if is an abomination!

[Rex_Tremende]

Ok Rex, I'll give it a go

#1. Since the eye always focuses on difference - a solid color tie would become an unwelcome focal point in an otherwise textured and patterned ensemble.

#2. If I were to pick a solid color tie for this ensemble - I'd pick pale blue to co-ordinate with the light blue overcheck in the argyle sweater.

Ok Professor - how'd I do?

Cheers!

What? No other players? Phil, I knew I could count on you.

So, I'd give you a *** on the first answer. *** more if you'd said that the exposed knot of a solid tie nearly mimics the shape and scale of the diamonds on the sweater. Color alone is often not enough of a difference to create interest. We love theme and variation.

As for the second question, I'd suggest that any solid color other than blue, yellow, or white, could be made to work, unless the blue or yellow were a noticeable shade lighter or darker than the dominant colors already present. So, pale blue would work (and would be a safe choice), and so would a dark gold. But imagine a pop of red (which is opposite yellow and blue), or the punch of a kelly green (which is in between them). An orange or violet tie would harmonize with the yellow or blue, and provide a countermelody to their opposites.

Together, these are the problems I see with wearing a solid tie in a color matching the dominant color in a kilt. It tends to be of roughly the same scale as a stripe in exactly the same color, which adds up to nothing special. Is it horrible? No - it's perfectly safe. And easy. And you'll still be better dressed than most.

Mixing patterns is a bit of an art, but it's also somewhat formulaic, and anyone can learn to manipulate color, texture, pattern, and scale (and any combination thereof) and look like a pro.

And fellas? It can be done without ending up looking like a metrosexual.

Regards,
Rex.

[Rex_Tremende]

As one who does not typically mix patterns, please tell me if is an abomination!

I wouldn't call it an abomination, but I would ask you what is your own assessment of it.

I think the shirt and the waistcoat go fine together. I think the waistcoat makes the kilt look comfortably casual. The shirt and kilt together are not working so much for me, but if you added a dark green jacket and thus exposed less of the pattern, I think a combination like that could work.

I'm not afraid of striped shirts with kilts, though I tend to gravitate more toward evenly spaced pin stripes when I use them. The yellow is throwing me off a bit. If you're going to use yellow, I'd rather see the yellow as punctuation, an accent color - say something like a pocket square, or flashes, to add some pop to the ensemble, rather than having it go on a side conversation.

Regards,
Rex.

[piperdbh]

Me too, do you have a weathered kilt and oatmeal hose to donate to the cause?

I can help you with the hose, but not the kilt.
PM me if you'd like me to make you a pair of them, and maybe incorporate some of your above-the-waist colors.