Mixing Ancient and Modern

[ForresterModern]

Due to my height (and extra-long torso) when I wear my custom length tweed Argyll and waistcoat with the kilt, there is enough visual separation of a tartan tie from the kilt that it is usually not as problematic as others here have stated concern for, although I still try to shy away from the practice and instead wear a small patterned tie with similar color scheme to the tartan in the kilt. I think a lot of it also depends on the "visibility" factor in the tartan in the kilt---the more visible the tartan the harder it is to hide the tartan tie--whereas some more subtle tartans can stay in the background as a tie even when the kilt is a prominent but also subtle presence in the overall outfit.

This is me a couple years ago in Ancient Douglas kilt and tie with Lovat Green Jacket and waistcoat, IMHO not that offensive due to the waistcoat adding to the separation between the tie and kilt and minimizing the amount of tie visible at all:



One other problem is that a lot of tartans used for kilts are woven at standard sett size but the ties in a lighter weight material at a smaller sett size and by a different mill (most commonly Ingles-Buchan), using slightly different color palettes for the same tartan than the kilting material. This makes color matching difficult, and as others have said slight color variations between parts of your attire can really make an otherwise nice outfit look a bit atrocious. Another good reason not to wear a tartan tie with the same tartan kilt.

Okay, now point and laugh at the silly american in the picture. Just remember to notice no white hose, no flat cap, and no bonnet in the house. At least I got some of it right.

jeff

[Jack Daw]

I proudly wear my tartan ties with business suits and sports jackets, but I choose not to wear them with a tartan kilt. One occasion, while I was in Scotland, I forgot to bring a long tie to wear with my argyll jacket and kilt, so I donned a new tie in my clan tartan that was luckily in a different tartan than my clan kilt.

[Vegan Scot]

Due to my height (and extra-long torso) when I wear my custom length tweed Argyll and waistcoat with the kilt, there is enough visual separation of a tartan tie from the kilt that it is usually not as problematic as others here have stated concern for, although I still try to shy away from the practice and instead wear a small patterned tie with similar color scheme to the tartan in the kilt. I think a lot of it also depends on the "visibility" factor in the tartan in the kilt---the more visible the tartan the harder it is to hide the tartan tie--whereas some more subtle tartans can stay in the background as a tie even when the kilt is a prominent but also subtle presence in the overall outfit.

This is me a couple years ago in Ancient Douglas kilt and tie with Lovat Green Jacket and waistcoat, IMHO not that offensive due to the waistcoat adding to the separation between the tie and kilt and minimizing the amount of tie visible at all:

I ended up, due to lack of options, wearing the tartan tie with the kilt and I agree, because I also wore a waistcoat over the tie there was enough visual separation between the patterns that it wasn't overbearing at least. I'll still be looking around for a solid tie or two but for now I won't stress over the tie/kilt problem (especially considering what everyone else around me was wearing ).

[Livingston]

I know I'm coming late to this party but....

If you look at the picture below taken at the wedding of Baron Niall Livingstone, Chief of Clan MacLea (Livingstone) you will see that he is mixing two tartans. HIs kilt is the ancient and the larids plaid or blanket is modern both the Livingstone sett. This was taken on the isle of Lismore near his home.

[wildrover]

Here's a suggestion...

Stop worrying about whether it's 'right' or 'wrong' by some set of arbitrary rules, and decide if what you're wanting to do will be aesthetically pleasing. All of The Rules about wearing tartan this or that are descended directly from whether the combination is aesthetically pleasing.

If it's gonna clash, don't do it. If you'll look like a tryhard, don't do it. If it'll look good, just make sure it's not the tartans of the MacDonalds and the MacLeods of Skye (for example), and...as much as people around here say anything goes, there's a limit...so if you can, try to have a reason for what you're doing, if it's out of the ordinary.

[xman]

... the larids plaid or blanket is modern ...

I believe you're mistaken and that the subtle difference between the kilt and the plaid is either one of age, differing mill or both.
Here are the modern colours.

[Livingston]

I believe you're mistaken and that the subtle difference between the kilt and the plaid is either one of age, differing mill or both.
Here are the modern colours.

I am very familier with all of the Livingstone tartans and stand by my statement. Here is another picture of the same day that may convince you.

[xman]

I am very familier with all of the Livingstone tartans and stand by my statement.

hm, I still see bright orange and pale green, but perhaps I am mistaken.