Concerning neckwear

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 14th March 11, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by Zardoz

Edward VII, having lost a bet to The Hon. Angus "Towser" Metcalf, agreed to be photographed in a silly hat. The bet itself was rather silly, involving as it did the need to finish a limerick that began with the line:

"As I said to Miss Alice Keppel..."

Despite having cleverly used the phrase:

"As she stared at the Kaiser's Zeppel-
In times like these..."

His Majesty was unable to deal with the complexities of the limerick and, with typical Teutonic good humour, forfeited the wager.

(For more details see: My Eight Years In The Falklands (1903-1911) by The Hon. Angus Metcalf)

**Jock Scot** · 15th March 11, 03:16 AM

Ahha! Another of these wretched pictures that seem to prove everything to some and actually prove well er --------noth...--------no a lot.

**Jack Daw** · 15th March 11, 04:41 AM

Originally Posted by Zardoz

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..

Hmmm...makes me wonder what his back collar button is supposed to match.

**SlackerDrummer** · 15th March 11, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

Edward VII, having lost a bet to The Hon. Angus "Towser" Metcalf, agreed to be photographed in a silly hat.

Good Gawd, MacMillan. How many bets did he lose?!

Me thinks ... not.

**Zardoz** · 15th March 11, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Ahha! Another of these wretched pictures that seem to prove everything to some and actually prove well er --------noth...--------no a lot.

Well, I don't really take that many tips on dressing from posed photos or paintings from a hundred or more years ago, but many of these pics of Edward VII are 'informal' taken by his wife. But all it shows me is that about a hundred or so years ago somebody thought that there were more that two hats that went OK with one's kilted apparel. And I figure that if the King of England, who was regarded as an arbiter of men's fashion at the time, felt that way it's likely others did as well.

I have to thank Downunder for teeing this one up!

**macwilkin** · 15th March 11, 07:58 AM

As C.S. Lewis once warned, beware of "Cronological Snobbery".

Whilst old photos may not be worth following in terms of dress, they do give us some view into past periods in history, that from a historian's perspective, can be valuable when paired with other sources.

A case in point comes from my own experiences in American Civil War history, when soldiers going off to war posed with all sorts of photographer's props -- bowie knives, revolvers, "Hurrah for Davis or Lincoln" placards and what not. If one believes only the photo, then great-grandpappy was armed to the teeth, yet primary sources describe the issuing of weapons to units and how private kit was quickly discarded on route of march because it weighed too much.

T.

**Biathlonman** · 15th March 11, 08:06 AM

When I'm in jeans, "technical wear", or ski clothes I just blend into the background. We all do. Put a tie on and people look at you differently. If downtown in the big city I live in, I've seen confused tourists ignore dozens of blue-jeaned, open-collared passersby by just so they could approach me, the guy with the tie - who, they presume, will not threaten them and will be able to answer their question. Same in stores - walk in without a tie: one level of service. With? Better service because you appear just a bit more substantial than the tieless hoi polloi.
Is this fair? Sensible? Not at all. Even in kilt and the most disreputable Barbour jacket you have ever seen, a tie can save you, and gets you just a bit more respect. Will put this to the test trying to get a drink on St Paddy's tomorrow. Once inside, I can always take it off. Will also tuck a tin whistle into a pocket and if need be, say I'm with the band.

**Mike_Oettle** · 15th March 11, 10:55 AM

Cajunscot wrote: “I wish Ms Ellerbee would meet me first before judging my intelligence based only my wardrobe choice. Not a very open-minded attitude, INMHO.

“Freedom – to wear neckties and kilts!”

Couldn’t agree more.
I don’t generally wear a tie to work, but I almost invariably wear one to church. And since I work on Sunday nights, I often wear the same tie to the office.
Regards,
Mike