Regimental Ties

[Glen]

Richard, the picture was a surprise to me! Back in my day (40 years ago) we wore khaki ties. I'd never seen (or maybe it had never registered) a tartan tie in uniform before. I'm acquainted with the man in the photo - I'll have to get the scoop from him!

It was common to see regimental ties with battle dress and TWs from my memory days, although usually just officers and Senior NCOs who had the funds and need for the regimental tie...

[Dangerdean]

Here's a question sparked by this discussion: How much of a connection do you need in order to comfortably wear a regimental tie? I was a rifleman with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada back when I was younger and fitter, but only for a little more than a year. It wasn't a very long time, but it was enough to have an effect on who I am. Does it matter that it wasn't a long time? And would the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada have the same regimental pattern as the parent regiment? I've found Seaforth ties online, but none specifically Canadian.

[Jock Scot]

Here's a question sparked by this discussion: How much of a connection do you need in order to comfortably wear a regimental tie? I was a rifleman with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada back when I was younger and fitter, but only for a little more than a year. It wasn't a very long time, but it was enough to have an effect on who I am. Does it matter that it wasn't a long time? And would the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada have the same regimental pattern as the parent regiment? I've found Seaforth ties online, but none specifically Canadian.

If you served then you served, I am quite sure that no one would consider a timescale other than a mere detail. I have no knowledge of Canadian Regimental ties, but failing a better idea, I am sure a Seaforth tie would do nicely.

[OC Richard]

The trouble with the social convention about not wearing a regimental tie if you did not serve in the regiment, for us here in the USA, is that certain regimental stripe patterns have become quite common in the "fashion world".

I can go, today, to any large menswear place here and find a striped tie in the pattern of The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. This pattern is so common that I've seen shirts, dresses, and even pillowcases done up in it. Of course few here recognise it. Here are pyjamas in it! And from the UK!

http://www.woodsofshropshire.co.uk/e...erek-rose.html

and socks!!

http://www.smartturnout.com/military...ghlanders.html

and the same firm sells wristwatch bands in that pattern too.

About nonserving people wearing regimental ties, I must say that a number of years ago I became infatuated with The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and in my lack of knowlege about social conventions I would pipe at functions wearing an Argylls kilt, necktie, and cap badge.

Well one night I'm out piping at the Club House of an exclusive Golf Club in Palm Springs, wearing these Argylls things, and who should walk up but a man in the Levee uniform of a Colonel of The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada! Colonel so-and-so, rather than being put out, complimented me on my dress and said that he appreciated people "supporting the regiment".

[BCAC]

OC Richard, I just thought that I'd point out that smart turn out is run by an ex guardsman (Coldstreams, I think) and his items are clearly labeled which regiments colours they are in and are bought, I'm sure, by serving members or "old boys". In fact I bought MY regimental tie from them. Although these items are freely open for the "general public" to buy and no one checks the past life of a customer, the "social conventions" talked about in this post by our esteemed Jock Scot would prevent just anyone from buying and wearing this stuff (at least in the UK) were they not a serving or ex member of the regiment in question.

[Jack Daw]

I wear the Boy Scouts tie with my kilts, and with my business suits.

[flairball]

I like the idea of regimental ties. I just think that something that has the potential of social suicide should be better controlled, and the inadvertent risk removed.

Something controlled, not available to the general public, and then worn by someone unaffilated would certainly warrant an appropriate response. But as it stands, regimental ties are just out there for the grabbing.

My service branch has a regimental tie, though the practice isn't very spread here. I intend to get one. That said, as it's not any type of restricted item I've no problem with anyone wearing it. The flip side, I recently came across a young man who'd gotten ahold of a number of US navy items, including a dress uniform, and was posing as a SEAL. When it was (quickly) discovered hat he was a fake the result was indeed social suicide, and he found himself banned from quite a few shops, cafes, and pubs.

Different, yet similar.

[OC Richard]

OC Richard, I just thought that I'd point out that smart turn out is run by an ex guardsman (Coldstreams, I think) and his items are clearly labeled which regiments colours they are in and are bought, I'm sure, by serving members or "old boys". In fact I bought MY regimental tie from them. Although these items are freely open for the "general public" to buy and no one checks the past life of a customer, the "social conventions" talked about in this post by our esteemed Jock Scot would prevent just anyone from buying and wearing this stuff (at least in the UK) were they not a serving or ex member of the regiment in question.

Point well taken!

On the other hand I can go into any menswear shop here in the USA and see, on the racks, ties in the A&SH pattern, as well as (if one has a good eye for spotting such) ties of other regiments as well. These are bought every day by Americans who don't have a clue that the stripes represent anything. And not only ties but jackets, dresses, shirts, pillowcases, bed sheets, socks, and an host of other items. Here, these are rarely labelled as regimental, but are sold and bought merely for their attractive designs.

[Jock Scot]

Out of interest I have just looked at the 7 Smart Turnout Regimental style ties that I have and one or three of others of that style made by other makers. They all represent something and not one actually has a label on it that states exactly(even vaguely) what they represent.

So to be fair to those not "in the know" they may easily make a mistake. There is, on the other hand, no excuse in my book for those buying (and wearing) a tie over the Internet, or catalogue that is clearly labeled as representing a unit, club, college, school that they had no personal connection to. Perhaps making a mistake in the UK is less likely and as we have seen, even then a mistake can be made, however, as we have also seen once the mistake has been pointed out the tie was taken off forthwith and the problem was honourably rectified. No need for laws or rules, just an understanding of the "form", but I also make a plea for a sympathetic understanding for those that unwittingly and genuinely make a mistake from wherever in the world they come from.

I mention the following, not as a criticism, but as an observation. This unwritten "good/bad form" that still opperates within the UK------although not the all powerful influence of the fairly recent past------ is one explanation, plus cost of course, of why many Scots still wear just one Clan tartan(for civilian wear) and would not consider wearing any other under any circumstance.

[SlackerDrummer]

Of course the topic is completely muddied when a regimental tie is too simple. Am I really not supposed to wear a tie with equal-width, alternating blue and gold stripes, which are the colors of my university, because it happens to be the regimental tie of the Kings Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)? That's taking the matter a bit too far in my opinion. There are some ties which are certainly distinguishable and I can see the case for not wearing those. Others, not so much.