Neck Ties

[Kilted Hiker]

Hello everyone!
I'm working on putting together a kilt wardrobe. I have a burgundy five button waistcoat on the way, which will look nice with my BW tartan kilt. My question is, what color neck tie would look good? Not match, but complement. I have several pair of hose, a tan or bison is what I normally opt for, with dark blue garter ties. Normally I would choose a red or red paisley neck tie. But with the deep red/burgundy waistcoat I think it might be a little overbearing.

So, what say you?

Thanks,
Seth

[beloitpiper]

Wear a dark blue and green striped tie. Or just a solid dark blue.

[davidlpope]

I'm working on putting together a kilt wardrobe.

My question is, what color neck tie would look good? Not match, but complement.

Normally I would choose a red or red paisley neck tie. But with the deep red/burgundy waistcoat I think it might be a little overbearing.

I'd urge you to think about these ties as an addition to your regular wardrobe, instead of focusing on trying to match the tartan in your kilts. A couple nice repp stripes with navy, gold, dark green, burgundy, etc. is a good place to start. Perhaps a "Churchill Dot" in a dark, rich color. Next a small fouillard pattern. To top it off, a nice solid color, maybe with a bit of texture. Unless one wears a tie everyday for work, you'll find that you only need 5-6 ties to look sharp with any outfit you'd pull out to wear.

If your waistcoat is burgundy, though, I might wear a non-burgundy tie just to break things up a bit.

Best of luck!

David

[Father Bill]

Hold on for a while, post a picture of yourself with the kilt, jacket, & waistcoat, then stand back and wait for the advice! It'll be good!

[Biathlonman]

Here's another small matter to consider - tie length.

With a pair of pants your tie should stop just at your belt buckle, but a kilt rises a lot higher - up around your lower ribs in some cases. Some ties are shorter than others - find them, and learn to tie your tie so that it doesn't hang way down and ruin the look. Three times around instead of two. Silk will be less bulky than polyester.
Just another little thing to know. That's why this forum exists.

[davidlpope]

Here's another small matter to consider - tie length.

With a pair of pants your tie should stop just at your belt buckle, but a kilt rises a lot higher - up around your lower ribs in some cases. Some ties are shorter than others - find them, and learn to tie your tie so that it doesn't hang way down and ruin the look. Three times around instead of two. Silk will be less bulky than polyester.
Just another little thing to know. That's why this forum exists.

Very good point. Some of my ties can be worn with the kilt if I tie a half-windsor knot. With others, even with a half-windsor, I end up tucking the other end into the placket of my shirt because they are a bit longer.

[creagdhubh]

I'd urge you to think about these ties as an addition to your regular wardrobe, instead of focusing on trying to match the tartan in your kilts. A couple nice repp stripes with navy, gold, dark green, burgundy, etc. is a good place to start. Perhaps a "Churchill Dot" in a dark, rich color. Next a small fouillard pattern. To top it off, a nice solid color, maybe with a bit of texture. Unless one wears a tie everyday for work, you'll find that you only need 5-6 ties to look sharp with any outfit you'd pull out to wear.

If your waistcoat is burgundy, though, I might wear a non-burgundy tie just to break things up a bit.

Best of luck!

David

Well stated David, and I concur completely. Ben Silver and Brooks Brothers are great resources for the specific neck ties David mentions - not too mention for dress shirts as well. And again, don't worry about matching - it looks far better when one does not! Good luck mate!

Yours aye,

[Downunder Kilt]

I would suggest an ABF tie or the newly sanctioned XMarks tie would be splendid additions to your kilting wardrobe

[SlackerDrummer]

The four-in-hand is too lopsided for my tastes, so I have all my ties long enough to tie half-Windsors with trousers. I have a few ties that are short (regular length) that I can only wear with the kilt. To shorten your ties, try tying a Double Windsor.

[rondo]

The four-in-hand is too lopsided for my tastes, so I have all my ties long enough to tie half-Windsors with trousers. I have a few ties that are short (regular length) that I can only wear with the kilt. To shorten your ties, try tying a Double Windsor.

What he said. Double Windsor will use up about 2-3" more tie but the knot is large. If you have a small neck it might look too thick.

Rondo