Concerning neckwear

[Lyle1]

If you are going for the THD look, you need to wear some form of traditional neck wear. However, if you are not concerned about maintaining a traditional appearance, wear those things with which you are comfortable and that you think are sensible. If you are comfortable wearing a banded collar and a decorative button with a tux, I do not know why you should have a problem about wearing the same thing with a kilt, outside of the THD frame of reference.

[Piper]

I hide behind a full beard as well. Ties are only generally visible from early January till about September. I've portrayed Santa for over 30 years, grow my beard long for Chrismtmas, then crop it back 4 or 5 inches immediately thereafter. Most years I do a light "interim trimming" in May. Once the growth reaches a certain point, noone sees the tie, especially if I'm wearing a waistcoat.
When I attend Lodge, I wear a tux, with bow tie. After being questioned the first couple of times, I made up a nice sign, printed in a fancy font and suspended by a black ribbon, "Bowtie under beard". Always good for a few laughs.
I will confess to forgoing the tie on some piping gigs, and no one was the wiser.

[kc8ufv]

All I know is that a necktie is required courtroom attire for male employees around here...

[Errowen]

The commentary in this forum assumes a tie is proper with a kilt. I must differ. I have always thought a modern necktie looks ridiculous because it has to be tied up so short, a mishmash of styles originating in 20th century military garb, with no other historical or style rationale. Reminds me of those flip books from my childhood, where one turns half-pages to put ballerina legs on the policeman's torso. Wear a jabot, man.

[macwilkin]

The commentary in this forum assumes a tie is proper with a kilt. I must differ. I have always thought a modern necktie looks ridiculous because it has to be tied up so short, a mishmash of styles originating in 20th century military garb, with no other historical or style rationale. Reminds me of those flip books from my childhood, where one turns half-pages to put ballerina legs on the policeman's torso. Wear a jabot, man.

Horses for courses, old boy...I like jabots, but not with a tweed jacket.

:mrgreen:

T.

[Downunder Kilt]

As we are in the traditional highland section of the forum, period Edward Vll - 1980's, a quick google for images of "Edward Vll kilt" brings up a multitude of images of the man himself wearing a tie with a kilt. These photos range from formal to informal. Bring that forward to today and look at Prince Charles attire, traditional style

Thus by the definition of the traditional era here on the forum, a tie is a traditional part of ones attire when wearing a kilt

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Reminds me of those flip books from my childhood, where one turns half-pages to put ballerina legs on the policeman's torso. Wear a jabot, man.

hmm... ballerina's legs on a policeman's torso... hmm... that would explain a lot...

Actually the modern tie worn today, be it bow tie or four-in-hand, has merely evolved from the neck cloths of the 17th and 18th centuries, subtly changing shape over the decades to fit in with whatever was current in men's fashion at the time. As Downunder Kilt has pointed out we have ample pictorial evidence to show that the modern necktie really has become a traditional item of Highland attire.

[Duke of Delrio]

If your beard came to your knees, would you leave your fly open? Of course not. The same applies to neckties. If the level of formality calls for a tie, then the tie is worn, even if it is unlikely to be seen.

Okay, Okay. Tie on. Fly closed. Got it. Now where is that fly on my kilt again?

[Zardoz]

As we are in the traditional highland section of the forum, period Edward Vll - 1980's, a quick google for images of "Edward Vll kilt" brings up a multitude of images of the man himself wearing a tie with a kilt. These photos range from formal to informal. Bring that forward to today and look at Prince Charles attire, traditional style

Thus by the definition of the traditional era here on the forum, a tie is a traditional part of ones attire when wearing a kilt

Downunder Kilt is quite correct on this;
Edward VII demonstrates that like the flatcap, neckties have long been a traditional part of attire when wearing a kilt..

[rondo]

I have an answer. I believe the thread is becoming derailed. Let us not turn this into a flame war please. Thanks to all who contributed.
Rondo