ABF tie chain (aka Review my Attire 5)

**CMcG** · 24th September 10, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by KWD

CMcG I love the look and the contrasting colors! I do have a question for you.
What shoes are you wearing? I love the look!

Thanks KWD. The shoes are the Michael model brogue made by John Fluevog. I like them because they have a rounder toe and a chunkier sole. I was quite lucky to find a pair on eBay, new in the box for a fraction of what they are worth:

**CMcG** · 26th September 10, 07:27 AM

OK, I finally got some pictures taken with Jock's specifications and am ready for a proper review. I tried two variations on the theme and included a "before" (matchy) photo for comparison's sake. Any and all comments are welcome, so please don't be shy in your review!

1)

For this outfit, I went with the "grab some clothes and go" approach. Not much effort put into matching or not-matching.

Best hose, brightest flashes, a waistcoat because it was a bit chilly (even though it isn't part of a set with jacket), Harris tweed jacket, tattersall shirt, plain daywear sporran, and regimental style tie. After pulling all that out of the closet, I took a picture of some of it together.

There are multiple different-but-close shades of the same colours going on here. Various textures and patterns too. What strikes me is how good it looks all together, whereas if everything were matched except one or two elements, those things would stick out like a sore thumb.

I attempted Jock's suggestion of tying the knot on my ABF tie to bring out a chosen stripe. In this case, I wanted the red to show against my waistcoat. Very versatile things, these striped ties!

2)

For the second variation, I made more of an effort to not be matchy. I swapped the red flashes for grey so they wouldn't match the tie. I swapped the dark green hose for olive coloured ones so they wouldn't be as close to the green in my tartan or the green stripe on the tie. Ditched the waistcoat to show off the tie more and because it wasn't part of a set with the jacket.

I also did up the buttons on the collar of the shirt, which in the other picture I left undone. Normally, I don't wear a tie with shirts that have button-down collars... are you supposed to do them up or not?

And now a before the "Scots eye for the matchy guy" makeover pic. Here is my lass and I at a recent wedding. Hose matching the jacket, flashes matching the solid colour tie, plain looking shirt (it does have a bit of a pattern which can't be seen in this photo) . Whole outfit coordinated with my lass:

**Cygnus** · 26th September 10, 07:48 AM

I always do the buttons up on my collars (if they have them, though I tend to prefer them without) - the open buttonholes just look like I've missed a step when getting dressed.

And I have to say that I like "look 2" much better than the others - something about it just seems right.

Also, since this chain seems like it will continue for a good long while, how about an "ABF Tie Chain" gallery thread that shows each member of the chain wearing their new tie?

**KFCarter** · 26th September 10, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Cygnus

I always do the buttons up on my collars (if they have them, though I tend to prefer them without) - the open buttonholes just look like I've missed a step when getting dressed.

And I have to say that I like "look 2" much better than the others - something about it just seems right.

Also, since this chain seems like it will continue for a good long while, how about an "ABF Tie Chain" gallery thread that shows each member of the chain wearing their new tie?

*** on the collar buttons, although I'm not much of a fan of button-down collars.

You're spot on about how the whole thing seems to work best when one goes with it fully.

I give you a hearty thumbs up, CMcG, and I agree with Cygnus that the second look of the two is my favorite, although both are good. The whole effect of the second seems more relaxed and just "fits."

I'd say you've embraced the concept very well indeed

!

An ABF Tie Chain gallery thread might be just the thing, Cygnus... could help encourage even more participation.

**Jock Scot** · 27th September 10, 10:23 PM

Well done laddie. :d

**CMcG** · 29th September 10, 06:42 AM

Well, it appears that I have survived my review

Or perhaps my belabored preamble scared people away

Now I await Tiny's word that he is ready for his tie. Hopefully his jacket conversion is well underway...

And I agree with Cygnus and KFCarter that an ABF tie gallery thread is in order. Perhaps it should be thrown open to anyone with an ABF tie though, and not just people in the chain. It is, after all, a worthy charity!

**Jock Scot** · 4th October 10, 05:30 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

Well, it appears that I have survived my review

Or perhaps my belabored preamble scared people away

Now I await Tiny's word that he is ready for his tie. Hopefully his jacket conversion is well underway...

And I agree with Cygnus and KFCarter that an ABF tie gallery thread is in order. Perhaps it should be thrown open to anyone with an ABF tie though, and not just people in the chain. It is, after all, a worthy charity!

I wonder, might it be as simple as some one just starting an "ABF thread"? In the "show us your pictures" section? For what it is worth, I think the "chain" and thread should be open to all with an ABF tie and kilt.

**lethearen** · 30th September 10, 11:30 AM

Maybe the colour was actually called "wine"... probably so. I'll grab a pic of them when I get home and show you.

One process difference between the two sets... the wine hose were dyed in a large pot of nigh-boiling water. The hunter were dyed in a washing machine (I also dyed a shirt at the same time, so there wasn't room in the pot). Don't know the method you used, but that could have been the culprit, at least in my case.