tie with a prince charlie?

[Ryan Ross]

As far as Gerard Butler and his ilk are concerned, here's the rule I follow: If you can't see the man's knees, don't take any leads from him in the fashion department.

[Sgt Lucky]

Like Tobus, I picked up a plain black mess jacket - haven't worn it out yet (waiting for plainer buttons to replace the gold naval ones) but trying it on in the mirror, I was surprised that aesthetically it didn't look too out of place with a long tie. So if you're breaking the rules intelligently and with a good eye, cool beans. Problem is, I think the mess jacket works because the lapels are self-faced; not sure my sense of black tie tradition would let me pair satin lapels and a long tie, but I do have my pet rules I get hung up on while breaking others.

[CMcG]

What if the tie is worn without the waistcoat?

It looks off to me because of the juxtaposition of a long tie against a short jacket... a high cut waistcoat helps to mitigate that effect.

[CMcG]

As far as Gerard Butler and his ilk are concerned, here's the rule I follow: If you can't see the man's knees, don't take any leads from him in the fashion department.

My general rule is don't try to dress like a movie star on the red carpet... unless you are a movie star on the red carpet!

But here is a slightly better view of the knees for you:

[artificer]

My general rule is don't try to dress like a movie star on the red carpet... unless you are a movie star on the red carpet!

But here is a slightly better view of the knees for you:

can you do anything about the unbuttoned satiny shirt with the PC?

ith:

[Ryan Ross]

My general rule is don't try to dress like a movie star on the red carpet... unless you are a movie star on the red carpet!

But here is a slightly better view of the knees for you:

I see shin skin, not knees.

THESE are knees:

[Tim P]

I thought it was a no no, it was with me but i wasnt sure exactly why but I was considering it. I have to say with a silver grey rouched tie it looks ok, if a little weddingy.
Anyway, tried it all on (but with a bow tie) and there was just too much dark. having a rethink.

[Tobus]

Like Tobus, I picked up a plain black mess jacket - haven't worn it out yet (waiting for plainer buttons to replace the gold naval ones) but trying it on in the mirror, I was surprised that aesthetically it didn't look too out of place with a long tie. So if you're breaking the rules intelligently and with a good eye, cool beans. Problem is, I think the mess jacket works because the lapels are self-faced; not sure my sense of black tie tradition would let me pair satin lapels and a long tie, but I do have my pet rules I get hung up on while breaking others.

While it may not be 'traditional', I thought it worked just fine, wearing a tie with a mess jacket. Aesthetically, it works for me because the kilt is worn higher than trousers, and so the tie is tied shorter. This is just my personal opinion, of course, but even with the short mess jacket (or a PC for that matter), a regular tie can work, sans waistcoat, if it's tied so that it stops at the buckle.

The lapels on my mess jacket are not self-faced, though. They are satin, or some other material that's shinier than the jacket itself.

(edit: note the presence of exposed knees, lol)

[Ryan Ross]

(edit: note the presence of exposed knees, lol)

Ah yes- Exposed knees, and you're looking sharp. Everyone see the pattern at work?

[JSFMACLJR]

Why would anyone want to wear a necktie with a coatee? Why? What point are you trying to get across? What is it about the normal dress conventions that upset you enough that you want to chuck them and wear something that just is inappropriate?

I am sure I'll get called all sorts of things for this post, for my bluntness and mean-spiritedness...but I really do want to know about this. One wears a bow tie to black tie events in the evening. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.