Length and color of tie.

[chacbalam]

In a few weeks I will be attending my grandfathers memorial service. He was quite famous in his field and well known in parts of Europe. As a consequence there will be more than a few dignitaries and academics, as well as assorted family. Needless to say I want to dress appropriately.

Most people will be wearing suits. I on the other hand will be wearing my good Gordon kilt, was a Gordon. I was planning on matching it with my dark grey tweed Jacket. The question is what color/pattern tie I should wear. Are there any rules. It should me subdued< this is a memorial after all, but should the color match one of the main colors in my kilt? what about patterned vs plain. Are there any rules? Also how long should it be tied? That is where should the end of the tie fall.

I might be obsessing just a little bit here. I have worn my kilt, jacket, and tie before, but my grandfather was special to me and is also the reason I first donned a kilt, and I want to do this right.

[Iolaus]

I'm not much on fancy dress - I don't even own a tie - but the thing I keep seeing people say is never wear a patterned tie with a tartan, don't wear a "shiney" tie, and match the tie to one of the secondary colors in your kilt.

[davedove]

I'm not much on fancy dress - I don't even own a tie - but the thing I keep seeing people say is never wear a patterned tie with a tartan, don't wear a "shiney" tie, and match the tie to one of the secondary colors in your kilt.

That's about the best way to go. Plus, try to have the end of the tie hit as close to the top edge of the kilt as you can.

[GlassMan]

Since it will be a memorial service I would suggest a simple black wool tie. It will convey the appropriate sense of decorum and mourning.

[cessna152towser]

I would suggest if you can't get a tie in the same tartan as your kilt, then a black tie would be appropriate for this sort of occasion. Tie should come down to top of waistbelt of kilt.

[UmAnOnion]

I would suggest if you can't get a tie in the same tartan as your kilt, then a black tie would be appropriate for this sort of occasion. Tie should come down to top of waistbelt of kilt.

Chac, Sorry to hear about your grandfather - sounds like he as a very good man.
I would think the widest part of the tie should be at the same level as the top of the waistband of the kilt - same as when wearing trousers {shudder}
If it's any higher the tie point will emphasize any belly issues the wearer might have and look odd. ??:

[Robin]

Black is in the Gordon (clan) tartan, so a plain black woolen tie will match perfectly...also because you're wearing a dark grey jacket.

With a black jacket....a medium grey tie I guess.

Very sorry to hear.

Robin

[chacbalam]

Thank you for the condolences. I have worn a this combination before , but tthis time I want to make sure to get it right.

[Hamish]

Tim, I basically agree with what has already been suggested. Most definitely a plain tie and most definitely a woollen one (ie: no silks or polyesters). As for colour: since this is a Memorial Service and not, I assume, the actual funeral, black might be slightly too much (but then I'm not too familiar with your North American customs). If the service were taking place here, I would prefer to wear a navy blue tie, picking up the same colour in the tartan - but black would not be entirely out of place.

As for tie length, I have always undestood that the point of it should not cover the buckle on the wearer's belt, but is best just touching the top of it.