Necktie length

[JBfromBS]

Hey all,

Just wanted to ask a question I have not seen posted yet (although maybe it has been, but I just missed it! :-D ). Where can you find a "short" necktie to wear with your kilt? It seems that if you are wearing a traditional kilt at the traditional "kilt waist" a normal length necktie would be way too long. Does anyone have any advice on this? Thanks guys (or gals!),

Joe

[Doc Hudson]

When you are over six feet tall, nearly all standard ties are short.

Let me make two recommendations.

First, merely experiment with how you tie your tie. On most standard ties, I have to have the underhaning end extremely short. Perhaps you should experiment with having the two ends of more nearly equal length. There is also an option of having tucking the underhanging end inside your shirt, between the buttons. There are also several different knots you can use that will greatly vary the length of the finished tie. I like the Shelby Knot better than a standard Windsor.
The second option is to buy ties intended for boys. You might have trouble finding ties that are not clip-on abominations or with childish themes or colors, but at least you can probably find some short enough for an Oliver Hardy imitation.

[davedove]

Many kilt dealers sell what they call kilt ties. I don't know for sure, but I would imagine they are somewhat shorter than standard ties.

[Freelander Sporrano]

I don't seem to have any difficulty with my tie length I was at a funeral recently and tied my tie to just cover my belt buckle.
I find that tucking the tie in the kilt looks awfull. Maybe to shorten it you should tie a knot which uses a little more of the lentgh if you get what I mean. I tie a Windsor knot. Maybe you use a simpler version that takes less of the tie.
I hope this helps

[Planopiper]

I always try to tie my tie long enough that it will tuck into the top of the kilt. I like how that looks lined up w/ the buckle. I prefer that to having the tie get blown around by the wind or have it go off-center for some reason. I like to know that while I'm playing the pipes, the tie is where it's supposed to be, because I can't stop to fix it.

[Bill]

I always try to tie my tie long enough that it will tuck into the top of the kilt. I like how that looks lined up w/ the buckle. I prefer that to having the tie get blown around by the wind or have it go off-center for some reason. I like to know that while I'm playing the pipes, the tie is where it's supposed to be, because I can't stop to fix it.

Hello!

I would agree with the information about the knot it does make a difference!

On the wandering tie problem have you considered a tie tack or bar? I've seen some sites that offer a chain featuring ones clan badge suspended to hang center on the tie. My personal preference is a tack with a short chain with a small bar that slips through the button hole thus keeping the tie in place.

Then there is always a vest. ;)

Slainte!

Bill

[Big Paul]

At 6'1" I have the same problem as Doc... I would never tuck a tie into my kilt... It's about a sophisticated as tucking you napkin into you shirt collar, in my opinion. To each his own.

[Mike n NC]

At 6'1" I have the same problem as Doc... I would never tuck a tie into my kilt... It's about a sophisticated as tucking you napkin into you shirt collar, in my opinion. To each his own.

Tap tap tap, Hello? And just what is wrong with tuck'en yer napkin in to your collar? At least yo is sofa-kisse-ta-kated enough to have a collar.

I tie a tie for the kilt as I was taught to tie one for a suit, point of the tie just above or just touching the very top of the belt buckle unless wearing a vest. When wearing a vest the tie is tied so that it does not show below the vest. Length can be a problem, I find that if I pay a buck or two more and shop a mens clothing store, or a buck or two less and shop goodwill, I have a wider selection of tie lengths.
Placing the tie so that the knot is in a wider part of the tie will help take up some of the length just by the bulk of the knot.

Mike

[Riverkilt]

What a great board this is. You men have answered a long time question of mine.

I'm 6' with a front porch. Back when I lived in corporate America I enjoyed wearing tartan neckties and would haunt the vendors at highland games to find my various clan tartans.

But the neckties were always so short? Couldn't figure out why they weren't the same length as the department store neckties. Always had to tie them so there was hardly anything left on the bottom part of the tie.

Now I know, must have been buying ties cut to wear with kilts...one more mystery laid to rest.

Ron

[MacSimoin]

Many kilt dealers sell what they call kilt ties. I don't know for sure, but I would imagine they are somewhat shorter than standard ties.

The County Cavan necktie I own (from the House of Edgar) is about two inches shorter than your 'average' necktie after tying a good double-Windsor knot. Almost all of my other ties reach my waste (pants) line after tying the same knot. Whether or not this 'shortage' is intentional by the mill I cannot say but it would seem to make sense for kilt wear.