Matching like a Scot

[wildrover]

I'm new enough around here to still be going through the tail end of matchy matchy...but with perseverance and guidance from the rest of you ...

My own "major breakthroughs" came from one part desperation and one part experimentation . Come to think of it, isn't that how most of life works out?

-Sean

[Kornkob]

But if you look at photos of many men in the UK that is precisely how they dress. And they look quite well put together.

I think it is because they have more of an eye for what colors and patterns will "tone well" together; not necessarily "match."

.....

I always tell people not to worry about whether the color is an exact match. Does it look good together? Does it tone well? If yes, then who cares if it matched perfectly?

*shrug* often times when I hear some referring to 'matching' in reference to clothing, they are often referring not to having 2 items with the exact same color and shade but to 2 items that, to borrow your phrase, 'tone well' together.

edit--- I've often heard people in the US (largely the midwest) use 'matching' and 'goes together' interchangeably in reference to clothing (and interior decorating)

[kc8ufv]

*shrug* often times when I hear some referring to 'matching' in reference to clothing, they are often referring not to having 2 items with the exact same color and shade but to 2 items that, to borrow your phrase, 'tone well' together.

edit--- I've often heard people in the US (largely the midwest) use 'matching' and 'goes together' interchangeably in reference to clothing (and interior decorating)

Well, in this area, those two mean the same thing. Though, I don't usually worry about it here. I wish I could be kilted at work. (I work in court, and I've been yelled at for wearing my utilikilt - they said it caused a disturbance in the courtroom) When I get dressed for work in the morning, I just grab a random dress shirt, random tie, and random pair of pants. Doesn't matter if they go togeather. Not everyone here in the states is so matchy-matchy...

[piperdbh]

I think Livingston is right on the money. Many of us buy our first (or only) kilt and start imagining all the "special" places and events we can wear it, and for "special" events and places we want to look our best. With time and experience, we begin to branch out and be a bit bolder with our choice of accoutrements (I borrowed that word from Daffy Duck) and when we see that the world doesn't end because we wore a patterned shirt with a tartan kilt, we say to our self, "Self, maybe I can mix colors and patterns and live to fight another day." And, lo and behold, it all works out in the end.

[AstroBen]

I think I finally get it!

The kilt is to Scots what blue jeans are to Americans!

In a way perhaps, but the rule of thumb around here is that anything goes with blue jeans. There are just some things that don't look quite right to me with a kilt. Dark shirts is one of them. Somehow everyone wanted to become Johnny Cash lately--black shirt, no tie. I much prefer a shirt in a light pattern or just white.

I remember a time when wearing jeans to work meant you work with your hands, not that it was Friday. Somewhere along the line, a businessman wore them with a blazer, and we are forever since changed.

[Kornkob]

Well, in this area, those two mean the same thing. Though, I don't usually worry about it here. I wish I could be kilted at work. (I work in court, and I've been yelled at for wearing my utilikilt - they said it caused a disturbance in the courtroom) When I get dressed for work in the morning, I just grab a random dress shirt, random tie, and random pair of pants. Doesn't matter if they go togeather. Not everyone here in the states is so matchy-matchy...

However, referencing Jock's statement about 'men in the UK looking put together' grabbing random clothing (unless one is buying only clothes that 'tone well' with everything else one owns) will often result in someone not looking all that well put together.


If one randomly grabs a black watch kilt, gold hose, white shoes and a pink shirt, one doesn't look 'put together' at all because the overall effect is jarring.

At least in my experience, the use of the term match is about that general 'tone' being even, not about wearing a pair of socks that are the same shade as one's shirt.

[CMcG]

However, referencing Jock's statement about 'men in the UK looking put together' grabbing random clothing (unless one is buying only clothes that 'tone well' with everything else one owns) will often result in someone not looking all that well put together.


If one randomly grabs a black watch kilt, gold hose, white shoes and a pink shirt, one doesn't look 'put together' at all because the overall effect is jarring.

At least in my experience, the use of the term match is about that general 'tone' being even, not about wearing a pair of socks that are the same shade as one's shirt.

Matching "like a Scot" seems to mean clothes working together without much thought, which presupposes not owning an outfit like the one described above. As others have already written, I believe there is also as a bigger cultural tolerance for mixing colours, shades of the same colour, and patterns.

Matching in the other sense does indeed mean making sure that one's clothing has exactly the same shade i.e. shirt and hose of an identical colour.

[Jock Scot]

However, referencing Jock's statement about 'men in the UK looking put together' grabbing random clothing (unless one is buying only clothes that 'tone well' with everything else one owns) will often result in someone not looking all that well put together.


If one randomly grabs a black watch kilt, gold hose, white shoes and a pink shirt, one doesn't look 'put together' at all because the overall effect is jarring.

At least in my experience, the use of the term match is about that general 'tone' being even, not about wearing a pair of socks that are the same shade as one's shirt.

Oh come on there is no need to be too literal over his, you know!But you are right, it is the "general tone" that we seem to naturally go for. Those Scots that actually have a(ONE usually) kilt will know from experience what works and what does not and being a frugal lot , why should they need unnecessary gear that will not work with their particular tartan. So grabbing stuff from the wardrobe is not as silly as it sounds.

Now of course, if you go down the non Scots route of having umpteen kilts of umpteen different tartans then you chaps are just magnifying the problem for yourselves! Well you are!!!

[Cygnus]

Now of course, if you go down the non Scots route of having umpteen kilts of umpteen different tartans then you chaps are just magnifying the problem for yourselves! Well you are!!!

That certainly isn't my problem - I am decidedly "Scottish" in that sense, having ZERO kilts to call my own!

I understand that you can't just shut your eyes and grab anything from your wardrobe, but the fact that you don't really think much about what you're pulling out is what is interesting to me.

It could be that you're not as inclined to have vibrant and unusually-coloured shirts hanging in your closet. I tend to be a bit... flamboyant in my dress (much to my wife's chagrin) and most of what I currently have would be most unsuitable for wear with the majority of kilts and accessories available on the market.

I was quite pleased, however, to discover the general opinion of tattersall shirts, as I have a couple that will (hopefully) be getting even more use soon!

[Jock Scot]

Yes indeed you are more "Scottish" than you probably know, as the majority(by far) don't own a kilt!

Actually I can just go to the cupboard and grab anything! My shirts. apart from a couple that live elswhere, are universal. By that I mean I can wear the shirts with my shooting gear, farming gear, town gear, every day non kilted gear AND WITH THE KILT! My kilt hose goes with my shooting and fishing gear too, so do my shoes. My ties are universal too, so yes absolutely, I could go to my wardrobe with my eyes shut and come out fully dressed in kilt day attire feeling quite happy with what I am wearing.

Another good thought for shirts for the kilt, as JD suggests, is the SMALL blue Gingham check, as is the SMALL blue Houndstooth.

My shooting suit. Same shirt, same tie, same shoes, same hose, same watch and chain, same cromach, BUT not the same bonnet!