Ruche ties?

[McClef]

Sorry Hamish but I happen to like them!

They are called "scrunchy cravats" rather than ruche ties over here.

I am not a big fan of black bow ties I'm afraid.

[auld argonian]

Just one tip to those in the USA...if you're looking for ruche ties, either ask for or search on the phrase "shar pei ties"...yup, like the dog. Most formalwear rental and sales joints over here seem to be refering to them by this very cute alternate name.

Best

AA

[Moosedog]

Just my opinion,

Based on the ones I've seen (including the pictures in this post) I like them better with an argyll+vest--I think the higher-necked vest allows for the a bit of color and the scrunchy effect without taking the eye away from the kilt's beauty. The PC vest ( sorry McMurdo, as always you look quite dashing) allows too much ruche to show for my taste.

Moosedog

[pipesndrumsnun]

I LOVE it! Looks classy!!

[ForresterModern]

I like them for formal and semiformal situations, but due to my long torso need to wear them with an Argyll vest. Otherwise they look like Laurel and Hardy ties. And they do not have to distract from the kilt if the color is well chosen to complement rather than overwhelm the colors of the kilt. Three examples below that I hope may help change your mind a bit.

[arrg-isle]

Frankly, I'd love to test-drive one on a formal occasion, but by strong preference the only collared shirts I ever wear have tab-style, or "banded" collars; when I want to close them up for a formal look, I use a little gold-tone collar stud.
The upshot being that the only style of tie I've found that doesn't "bury" the collar entirely (making it look like a collarless shirt), is the old 50's-style super-skinny necktie . . and even then, it tends to drift around, and look somewhat "wrong"!

[DWFII]

Frankly, I'd love to test-drive one on a formal occasion, but by strong preference the only collared shirts I ever wear have tab-style, or "banded" collars; when I want to close them up for a formal look, I use a little gold-tone collar stud.
The upshot being that the only style of tie I've found that doesn't "bury" the collar entirely (making it look like a collarless shirt), is the old 50's-style super-skinny necktie . . and even then, it tends to drift around, and look somewhat "wrong"!

That's the kind of shirt I wear by preference also. So look at the photo I posted in the first set of messages.

Those kinds of shirts usually, but not always, have a "button-hole" in the back of the "band" (or sometimes it is a small button)...they have that because they are specifically are designed to use with detachable collars.

And there are places on the 'net where you can buy detachable collars--Vintage Shirt Company in the UK among them--or, if you like the more obscure shapes that were in vogue during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras you can, with some study, make very acceptable (and acceptably stiff) collars using linen or cotton and several layers of self sticking interfacing.

Nothing I like better than to take a fairly extravagant...say, for instance, a silk and linen, black with gold microdots...band collar shirt with a white band and add a high stiff white wing collar. Wear with a high gorge notched lapel vest (and yes, I agree, I think you need that high gorge) and a ruche tie...and no one knows you are wearing anything but a solid white shirt until you take off your jacket to sit down to enjoy a cigar and some Laphroig 15. Much of what we refer to as "class" is restrained surprise.

I will admit that to me the ruche tie is dress and high dress but perhaps not formal. But then the last time I got an invite to dine with the Queen was...well, I can't remember the last time.

[ForresterModern]

The upshot being that the only style of tie I've found that doesn't "bury" the collar entirely (making it look like a collarless shirt), is the old 50's-style super-skinny necktie . . and even then, it tends to drift around, and look somewhat "wrong"!

Even though it would meet your skinny enough criterium, I guess a rattlesnake head western bolo tie would probably not be deemed formal enough?

[Arlen]

I wear them regularly with formal attire because I simply look like an idiot when wearing a bow tie. (I'm just built that way.)
I prefer a proper cravat, but I find it hard to get those in matching colours for a decent price.

[auld argonian]

Close as I have been able to find on the net:

http://www.tjformal.com/Products/296...n-Shar-Pei-Tie

...by no means a recommendation...haven't ordered from them...but about the largest selection I've seen.

Best

AA