Quote Originally Posted by vegan_scot View Post
Definitely will take this under advisement. I had a sneaking suspicion it might not be something that was "done." Out of curiosity, what is the difference between wearing a tartan waistcoat with a kilt as opposed to a tartan tie with a kilt? And how does one know which articles of clothing are compatible?
"Compatability" isn't determined on whether the tartan waistcoat and kilt (or waistcoat and necktie) exactly match. As Jock, Matt, etc. have pointed out, you're generally okay with different tartans from the same clan.

My dislike of tartan neckties with the kilt is on a different basis. They don't seem to have ever traditionally been worn with the kilt, whereas tartan waistcoats, particularly on the bias, have a long pedigree.

My take on the tartan necktie phenomenon is that it is a result of ill-informed kilt-wearers, usually Americans, who have the misconceived notion that "I need to buy a kilt, tartan flashes to match my kilt, a tartan tie to match my kilt, and coordinating clan crest sporran and sgian dubh to be properly kitted out in highland attire." You definitely see this done here at Highland Games, but it just doesn't look "right" IMHO.

It's the same problem that leads well-meaning, but ignorant, folks to show up at a Highland Games wearing a Prince Charlie and black tie (saw this last weekend at Stone Mt.). Folks are sold a Prince Charlie when they buy their kilt and think, "this is what Scots wear with their kilts." So, when it comes time to wear their kilt, they think, "I better put on that 'Scottish Jacket' that you wear with the kilt..." Better to study historical and current photos to see how Highlanders actually wore and wear the kilt, I think.

Cordially,

David