What does Matchy - matchy refer to?

[TheOfficialBren]

I like matchy-matchy, but I can't do it with panache.

Zing!

I used to be more matchy-matchy. Then I discovered this wonderful place. I learned a new thing here. A fun thing. Something that seemed a little risque to my Californian sense of fashion.

Contrasting is perfectly acceptable.

Mixing patterns can be acceptable, even lauded if done well.

Wear your kilt with pride, mate.

[Steve Ashton]

Another meaning for "matchy Matchy" is when every accessory of your outfit has your clan crest on it or the same motif.

I have seen so many guys whos' sgian, kilt pin, sporran, belt buckle, plaid brooch and bonnet all have their clan crest or thistle or Rampant Lion on them.

I actually saw one guy who also had the same thistle motif on his cufflinks, tie tack, lapel pin and ring in addition to those items I have already mentioned.

[McRoy]

Great insight and advice, I admit I was a bit confused by HRH's photo as he seems very well matched, in that photo as well as others I've seen. In any case I shall enjoy experimenting both with coordinating patterns and colors, and others. I do wear the Black watch which to me is a conservative mostly military tartan, and for that, I like the idea of using the colors in the tartan. (I'm not all that comfortable getting too creative with the Black Watch out of respect for what it represents). I'll avoid rampant lions and clan crests in any case... at least until I have time to design the "McRoy" clan regalia...

[McMurdo]

As others have said it is up to you, either way can look good. When I first started kilt wearing I would actually try to match everything or at least coordinate my outfit. Here is a decidedly matchy outfit I wore a few years ago on Tartan Day.


As my tastes have changed I have expanded to a less matchy or coordinated look, below is what I wore to our last Tartan Tuesday kilt night, this outfit is nowhere near as matchy as the one above however to my mind they are both successful outfits.


Remember that we are talking about Highland dress not Saxon dress, I try to keep that simple fact in mind. To help illustrate this point below is a photo I found taken at a Highland Games, at the moment I do not recall the details of the shot however I am sure one of the rabble may have details for it. Notice the gentleman on the right with the crommach and yellow hose in contrast to the other two gentlemen his outfit is decidedly not matchy while the gentleman in the middle is wearing matching leathers and a rather nicely matching and coordinating outfit. Now lets take a look at the gent on the left, his outfit is also matching. All of these gents are wearing wonderful outfits some more matching than others but they all look great and appropriate for the setting.


All this is to say that it really is up to you they are after all your clothes and your comfort in them should be brought to the fore. Another thought to keep in mind is this:

"The Highland dress is essentially a 'free' dress -- that is to say, a man's taste and circumstances must alone be permitted to decide when and where and how he should wear it... I presume to dictate to no man what he shall eat or drink or wherewithal he shall be clothed."
-- The Hon. Stuart Ruaidri Erskine, The Kilt & How to Wear It, 1901.

Again the more comfortable you are in your clothes the more confident you will be become and that comfort and confidence will come out.

[artificer]

Another meaning for "matchy Matchy" is when every accessory of your outfit has your clan crest on it or the same motif.

I have seen so many guys whos' sgian, kilt pin, sporran, belt buckle, plaid brooch and bonnet all have their clan crest or thistle or Rampant Lion on them.

I actually saw one guy who also had the same thistle motif on his cufflinks, tie tack, lapel pin and ring in addition to those items I have already mentioned.

I always jokingly call that the "Clansman Gift Box Look".

ith:

[Mikilt]

I love being matchy-matchy. I started wearing the kilt for dressier occasions and I wanted to look "put together". I was very deliberate about matching my hose, kilt and tie. Last year's Chicago Highland Games:


Xmas party two years ago:



In just the last year I have started to wear the kilt to work. I work in a casual office, so it doesn't always work to be as dressy as my wardrobe allowed. I needed a way to dress more casually. Inspired by the rabble, I bought a few new items to shake up my wardrobe and still allow me to be coordinated, but just not matching as much as I was before. It's a new look for me and I like it.

I'll continue to be matchy when I feel like it, but I have grown a new sense of confidence with coordinating items rather than matching them.

[Dale-of-Cedars]

Matchy-matchy is more subtle than over-the-top 'too much tartan'!
Crawford Overload.jpg
(I didn't have any Crawford hose for this one-time shot...)

[Panache]

Another meaning for "matchy Matchy" is when every accessory of your outfit has your clan crest on it or the same motif.

I have seen so many guys whos' sgian, kilt pin, sporran, belt buckle, plaid brooch and bonnet all have their clan crest or thistle or Rampant Lion on them.

I actually saw one guy who also had the same thistle motif on his cufflinks, tie tack, lapel pin and ring in addition to those items I have already mentioned.

But what if you are Scottish super hero Steve?

What if you are looking to be ….THISTLE MAN!



Cheers

Jamie

[pbutts]

But what if you are Scottish super hero Steve?

What if you are looking to be ….THISTLE MAN!



Cheers

Jamie

Awwwwwwwww.......

.......I was expecting a picture for this! Maybe next Halloween?

[KSmedic]

I think that under the right circumstances, coordinating colors can look very good. For instance, my family tartan (Graham of Menteith) in the weathered colorway is composed of olive greens and browns that look very nice with a brown tweed jacket, brown or olive hose, and brown leather accessories. Not particularly flamboyant, but the combination gives a composed look. Personally, I'd go for the brown tweed jacket with burgundy hose and tie. A tattersall shirt would break things up nicely. If I were looking for a semiformal or formal kilt ensemble, I'd opt for the modern and/or ancient colorways, which in my case, are composed of dark blues and greens. In that case, I think coordinating colors can wind up looking a little too monochrome and drab, so reds and yellows might be the way I'd go. Ultimately, I think it's up to the individual to decide what they think looks the best. If you like the way it looks on you, that's really all that matters.