Wedding Neckties

[Cygnus]

Sigh, and sigh again.

With the greatest of respect to all, this is precisely why if we are going to wear Highland attire, then we really ought to follow the kilt conventions reasonably closely so that in the long run those outwith Scotland will HOPEFULLY begin to understand Highland conventions rather more and not get even more confused by the "incorrect" adaptations that confuse the issue for all concerned.

In fact that applies to a national attire from wherever it hails from, if we choose to wear it..

I agree to a point. My belief is that to gain acceptance among small circles and communities as a whole, Highland attire ought to be introduced to people in a way that piques interest, shows respect for both traditions, and isn't shocking or startling to the extent of leaving folks with a bad taste in their mouth.

I never intended to suggest that anybody incorrectly adapt traditional Scottish dress, but that they work within the tradition to find a suitable middle ground for introducing people (hosts and guests) to the kilt and all that goes with it. The analogy of boiling frogs comes to mind...

Am I incorrect in my thinking that a grey waistcoat and striped or solid tie would not be correct to wear with a silver-buttoned black Argyll jacket?

[CMcG]

Sigh, and sigh again.

With the greatest of respect to all, this is precisely why if we are going to wear Highland attire, then we really ought to follow the kilt conventions reasonably closely so that in the long run those outwith Scotland will HOPEFULLY begin to understand Highland conventions rather more and not get even more confused by the "incorrect" adaptations that confuse the issue for all concerned.

In fact that applies to a national attire from wherever it hails from, if we choose to wear it..

This is why I wanted to ask about wedding ties. I first heard about the grey/silver norm on this forum but I wasn't sure of its provenance.

Jock, can you clarify the THCD position (if any) on grey/silver neckties for weddings? Is this one of those "incorrect adaptations" from non-kilt wear or does it apply to Highland attire?

[Jock Scot]

Cygnus.

You were far from my mind dear sir, when I made that reply, other than you set off a train of thought that I happen to hold dear, as do you, too a point.


You have lost me on the "boiling frogs" thing, I am afraid.

I can't say that I recall ever seeing a grey waistcoat worn with a black silver buttoned argyll, but it sounds a fine idea to me. I often wear "regimental" style ties when wearing a black silver buttoned argyll and often a silver tie too , but my favorite "wedding tie" for this outfit is a very dark blue(almost black) tie with small red, or white, or yellow ,or green dots, just a bit smaller than oohh, er, well, 9mm.

[Jock Scot]

This is why I wanted to ask about wedding ties. I first heard about the grey/silver norm on this forum but I wasn't sure of its provenance.

Jock, can you clarify the THCD position (if any) on grey/silver neckties for weddings? Is this one of those "incorrect adaptations" from non-kilt wear or does it apply to Highland attire?

I think I have just covered the black silver buttoned argyll.

Now for the tweed version, look no further than the well turned out kilted gentleman at THE wedding just. There he is, clad in his tweed jacket and what has he got around his neck? A "regimental" style tie(Royal Agricultural College if I am not mistaken) and it looks pretty damn good to my eyes. Solid colours are fine too,but tartan ties-----particularly for a wedding----are best avoided for any occasion.

[EagleJCS]

You have lost me on the "boiling frogs" thing, I am afraid.

Per Wikipedia: "The boiling frog story is a widespread anecdote describing a frog slowly being boiled alive. The premise is that if a frog is placed in boiling water, it will jump out, but if it is placed in cold water that is slowly heated, it will not perceive the danger and will be cooked to death. The story is often used as a metaphor for the inability of people to react to significant changes that occur gradually. According to contemporary biologists the premise of the story is not literally true; an actual frog submerged and gradually heated will jump out. However, some 19th century research experiments suggested that the underlying premise is true, provided the heating is gradual enough."


The allusion, then, with Highland apparel is to slowly introduce it to people that are unaccustomed to it, until they accept it as the norm (or at least not completely out of the ordinary).

[Jock Scot]

Per Wikipedia: "The boiling frog story is a widespread anecdote describing a frog slowly being boiled alive. The premise is that if a frog is placed in boiling water, it will jump out, but if it is placed in cold water that is slowly heated, it will not perceive the danger and will be cooked to death. The story is often used as a metaphor for the inability of people to react to significant changes that occur gradually. According to contemporary biologists the premise of the story is not literally true; an actual frog submerged and gradually heated will jump out. However, some 19th century research experiments suggested that the underlying premise is true, provided the heating is gradual enough."


The allusion, then, with Highland apparel is to slowly introduce it to people that are unaccustomed to it, until they accept it as the norm (or at least not completely out of the ordinary).

Well that's a new one for me. Thank you for explaining. And yes I see the point well.

[Cygnus]

Cygnus.

You were far from my mind dear sir, when I made that reply, other than you set off a train of thought that I happen to hold dear, as do you, too a point.


You have lost me on the "boiling frogs" thing, I am afraid.

I can't say that I recall ever seeing a grey waistcoat worn with a black silver buttoned argyll, but it sounds a fine idea to me. I often wear "regimental" style ties when wearing a black silver buttoned argyll and often a silver tie too , but my favorite "wedding tie" for this outfit is a very dark blue(almost black) tie with small red, or white, or yellow ,or green dots, just a bit smaller than oohh, er, well, 9mm.

Thank you, Jock, for your reply. I assure you that there were no ruffled feathers on my part, I was just surprised to infer (incorrectly) that the grey waistcoat and tie might be considered a poor choice to some, and I apologize if my reply came off as being "prickly" - it was not intended that way.

[Zardoz]

If the level of dress requires a tie, I usually wear grey ties to day weddings.

[English Bloke]

If the level of dress requires a tie, I usually wear grey ties to day weddings.

That's a very sharp outfit Zardoz.

[Lime]

I really like knitted neckties, both wool and silk, but generally silk for weddings. They come with spots and stripes but even in plain the knitted effect adds another dimension of interest over a "normal" solid necktie, the flat bottom works well with a kilt as it isn't tempted to hang down over the top of your kilt or belt in the same way as a pointed necktie and the texture works well with tweed, barathea and wool.