Bow tie for Prom(and after)

**McNulty** · 24th March 11, 05:29 PM

OK so I'm getting my kit together for our prom this year and decided to spruce things up a bit and get a classy bow tie. I'm one of the faculty class sponsors for the Juniors and want to make this special. I'm not sure which kilt I'll wear, but it is either my BW, IOS or my Black Stewart. I have a wing collar tux shirt, a dark blue(almost black) vest, dressy wing tips and my dress sporran. I've got all the other stuff but need some help on the tie. I really don't want to go with a boring solid color tie so I found this place and fell in love with # BR17 Royal Irish Fusiliers.
http://www.bensilver.com/The-Corps-a...es.html?page=2

I plan on using the bow tie later for a Scotch Tasting, a fund raising benefit, coming up the end of April in Glenwood Springs, CO. I also plan on wearing the tie to school to add a touch of flair to my normal kilt wearing. I also found some at the "Bow Tie Club" an online retailer and saw a bunch more bow ties for use later.
My question for the folks here at XMarks is what do you all think of #BR17? Will it, can it go with what I'm planning on wearing? Do you have any other suggestions for a bow tie and places where I might be able to find a variety. I'd like to get a couple of them for regular use at school, but want to get one really nice one for Prom and our Graduation Ceremony in May. Most of my other "dressier" kilts tend to be in the green/blue/ color range.
Sorry I wasn't able to post a pix and hope that the link goes through. Any and all thoughts will be welcomed.
McNulty

**sydnie7** · 24th March 11, 05:37 PM

Beau Ties (LINK) also has a good selection.

The one you point to would (to me) go well with BW, maybe BS, but probably not IoS. I wonder if these regimental patterns are considered restricted?

**McNulty** · 24th March 11, 06:00 PM

Point well taken for the "regimental" tie. I live way out on the Western Slope in CO and rarely if ever run in to many other kilted folk. So I don't know if I'd offend any one out here.
McNulty

**svc40bt** · 24th March 11, 06:21 PM

BR27 might work well with IOS.

If you go with a striped tie, I think I would wear a regular spread collar shirt. For the wing collar I would go with a single color tie.

I bought this one for black tie use. Not solid, but all black (the pattern is woven). They have numerous other colors in the same style, but you can't go wrong with black.

**artificer** · 24th March 11, 06:31 PM

I'm with svc40bt. With a wing collar, go with a solid tie (a woven pattern would be okay).

Just make sure that it's a self tied tie and not a pre-tied thing.

I don't understand why pre-ties aren't assigned the same stigma attached to clip-on straight ties, they're in the same category of terrible, in my book.

**MacLowlife** · 25th March 11, 05:36 AM

I think a bow tie is a nice place for a little fun. How about little embroidered skulls? Here is a source for several styles at a nice price...
http://www.bowtiesandmore.com/produc...%252d-SB4.html

I do not know this company. I do like how they offer the same tie in several styles and widths.

I can only say good things about Ben Silver and their really nice people. By the way, they can make up custom ties for you, as long as you are able to pay the freight and cover the minimum.

**Jack Daw** · 25th March 11, 06:12 AM

I wore a bow-tie with my kilt and tweed argyll to a scotch tasting and was well received by the Scottish host. I like your choice very much, McN. But, I'm interested in hearing the Brits' opinions on regimental ties. I have a long A&S that I also bought from Ben Silver. All I can say is that I wouldn't wear it in the UK.

**Mael Coluim** · 25th March 11, 06:41 AM

I'm an avid bowtie wearer with a kilt. I have quite a collection built up from over the years. I've noticed this year bowties are fashionable and can be obtain at even department stores. Check around.

**Cygnus** · 25th March 11, 08:04 AM

Call me excessively traditional, but I'd only wear a white Marcella tie with a wing collar - for everything else, a lay-down collar is the order of the day.

Also, I would wear a plain black bow tie to a "formal" evening event, simply because that's the tradition for "black tie" events.

Coloured and patterned bow ties should be worn, in my opinion, in any circumstance in which one might also wear a four-in-hand tie.

I would also think twice before wearing the tie of a military unit, school, or organization of which I wasn't a member - you never know when somebody will recognize it, and I would hate to cause offense over something so simple as the stripes on my tie.

Just my two cents.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 25th March 11, 01:58 PM

Not surprisingly I'm with Cygnus on this one. During the day, anything goes. In the evening a more subdued tie is called for, and at a formal event go with what the invitation says. If it says "black tie", that's what your hosts want you to wear (and since it's their party, they call the shots), and if it says "white tie", then white tie it is. The only leeway permitted is when one is in Highland attire, then a jabot may be worn instead of either a black or white bow tie.

I'm a bit more relaxed when it comes to shirt collars with black tie. My preference is for a soft collar, although there is nothing "wrong" with a starched collar (AKA the ubiquitous "wing collar"). White tie is a whole different kettle of fish, and here the wing collar is the only choice.