Forum Thoughts

[Alaskan]

Yes, Graham I agree that a different tartan tie would look out of place. However, personally I like the look of a tartan tie that matches the kilt. More specifically, I was thinking of this look with an argyll jacket. Also, I think you make a good point with "Wear what you like and feel good in." If we don't feel that way, what are we doing in kilts? I suppose it is ridiculous to not worry about wearing a kilt... but to worry about whether I should wear a matching tartan tie with it or not. However, I feel that there will be enough attention drawn to the fact that I am wearing a kilt, that I don't want to compound it by wearing it "wrong."

I am curious, for those of you that think that a matching tartan tie is overkill... do you also dislike the fly plaid? Is this also overkill, or is this different because it is for a more formal occasion?

[bubba]

Alaskan, the plaid is for very formal occasions is what I was taught.

[Alaskan]

Alaskan, the plaid is for very formal occasions is what I was taught.

I understand that the fly plaid is for very formal occasions, what I want to know is if you consider it overkill, or is it ok because it is formal?

[Graham]

Alaskan, here's a great piccie showing an example of a formal occasion where a plaid is very appropriate, and yes, it must be matching.

For casual wear, of course, this is very much "overkill"

[bubba]

Alaskan, it's extreme overkill except where appropriate, very formal occasions. Even at that not all formal occasions.It's appropriate for a pipe band in full regalia, the groom at a wedding or other such occasions.

[Alaskan]

I guess I didn't make my question clear.

I understand that a fly plaid would be overkill in most situations, in the same way that a tuxedo would be overkill for grocery shopping.

What I am wondering about is the amount of tartan material on the body. It seems that that is the argument against a matching tartan tie with a kilt. I get the impression that people think that if you are wearing the tartan tie along with the tartan kilt, it is too much of the tartan. Is this the argument against the tartan kilt/tie combo?

However, what makes the fly plaid overkill is not the amount of tartan fabric on the body, but the fact that it is formal wear. Even though there is a far greater amount of tartan fabric on the body when wearing a fly plaid and than a tartan tie.

I was wondering why a tartan tie can be considered overkill on the amount of tartan you are wearing, but as long as it is an appropriately formal occasion, the fly plaid is not.

[bubba]

Alaskan, it's a matter of the overall outfit. Complete Highland dress is different than a kilt and jacket for normal wear. It's somewhat like the difference between a tux and a sport jacket. You wouldn't wear the pleated shirt with studs with slacks and a sport jacket. With informal wear you don't put on all the bells and whistles. That covers the plaid. Like Hamish said, a tartan tie is a bit much tartan. The accepted thing is a tie that matches one of the primary colors in your kilt. It looks cleaner and dressier. There is no law that says you can't, but it's not customary and considered a bit off.

[Hamish]

Alaskan,

It seems you cannot accept any of the responses we have given you.

The plain and simple fact is, if you want to wear it - then wear it! Obviously, if you feel so strongly that you want to wear a tartan tie with your kilt, then you must do so. Likewise, if you want to wear a fly plaid with an Argyll jacket, then do that also. In fact, why not wear them all together if that is what you want to do?! But please do not come running back to us when you are laughed at, or are admonished by any Chief of Clan you happen to meet.

As I said earlier, it all boils down to the aesthetics of your outfit - how it looks to those you meet. If you seriously want to know how things are done, then look at as many Scottish-based kiltmakers websites as you can; send for their illustrated Catalogues and study the photographs.

By the way, the excellent photograph of Graham's shows pipers wearing piper's plaids, not fly plaids!

A fly plaid is nothing more than a fringed rectangle of fabric, identical to that of the wearer's kilt, which is worn over the left shoulder. A corner is pinned, by means of a plaid brooch, to the formal dress jacket just a few inches to the front of and below the left shoulder. The remainder of the plaid is taken over the shoulder and simply hangs down the wearer's back, below the shoulder. It is not wrapped around the body in any way. The longest point of the fly plaid should be no lower than just below the bottom of the kilt. The piper's plaid is very much longer. It hangs much lower than a fly plaid and, as you can see in Graham's photo, it is pleated and wrapped around the chest. The piper's plaid forms part of the traditional full-dress uniform of members of pipe bands, and is not worn by members of the general public - unless they have not the faintest idea what they are doing, and are keen to display their ignorance to others!

Finally, the question of "too much tartan" does not come into the sartorial equation - but it does come into the aesthetic one, when we are thinking of casual, or informal, dress.

[Alaskan]

I am not completely ignorant of how you are "supposed" to dress with a kilt. If you look at my original question, I said that I understood that a tartan tie is not worn with a kilt in the UK. My question wasn't even about whether you thought I should or not. My question was whether you thought that someone from the UK would understand if I told them that wearing a matching tartan tie with a kilt is acceptable in the US, (Which it is, even if people like Bubba don't like it.) or if they would fell that what is and is not acceptable in Scotland should be the guidelines everywhere else. I suppose what I really wanted to know is if it might offend someone if I said something like "I know that it isn't acceptable in Scotland, but it is OK in the US." The reason I wasn't "accepting what you are telling me" is that you weren't really answering my question, though I guess in a roundabout way, you have answered my question for me.

I never meant to suggest that I have any intention of wearing a fly plaid.
I was just trying to make the point that it seems contradictory that (in a formal situation) a fly plaid is acceptable and is not too much tartan on the body, yet you say that if you are wearing a matching tartan tie, that is overdoing the tartan.
I was trying to understand how a person can think that a fly plaid goes well with a kilt, but a tartan tie does not.

Like I said earlier in response to Graham's e-mail, I will probably wear it anyway, because if I really cared what people thought about how I was dressed, I wouldn't be putting on a kilt in the first place.

[highlandtide]

I dont mean to step into a weird thread anyway but I don't really think that it is accepted to wear a Tartan tie with your kilt here in he States. I travel to a lot of games and go to a lot of sponsor receptions and other formal events and I have never seen anyone wear a Tartan tie with their kilt. I have seen them wear it with Trews though (as weird as that might be). Even in the States the "acceptable way," for whatever that means, is still to wear a tie that matches a color in your kilt.

I do understand your point Alaskan albiet I disagree. I also understood your point about the fly plaid. It isnt really overkill that makes the tartan tie not acceptable, it is the asthetics of it.

The good thing about this board is you really dont have to worry about "offending" anyone with what you wear with your kilt or what you say about how people wear them as all of the people here are good natured. There may be some Kilt Cops here who talk about the "rules" but we are all pretty much of the understanding that you should wear it how you want to. (we only make fun afterwards! jk)