What the heck do I wear?

[GMan]

Scotty my friend,

As a Denver resident of long standing I must take exception that Denver is connected anyway to Colorado Springs except for I-25. Denver-Boulder has a better connection. I being a Denver bohemian find many more similarities to the oddball antics of Boulder than to the oddball antics of Colorado Springs.

You can definetly get away with more in Denver than in Colorado Springs he says with a wink and a smile.

Graham, still go without the tie!

[Dreadbelly]

If you give up trooser tyranny, give up tie tyranny as well.

Just saying.

[Hamish]

I cant see how something like a tie can cause such a fuss, I dont like this "fashion" of wearing a suit and not wearing a tie, I think if your wearing a jacket then a tie is appropriate, I dont see it as a symbol of oppression.

I have a tie with Saltires on it so it becomes quite the opposite, a symbol of my country, thats why I like Tartan ties they can become a symbol of family and unity.
The reason a tie shows a degree of respect is because its an effort to choose, tie and wear in hot climates so you show your host you have gone to a degree of "trouble" to look smart.

I suppose im old fashioned but I think that ones presentation and appearence speaks volumes about oneself, if I was attending a job interview I would expect to lose marks for not wearing an appropriate outfit.

I recently attended a wedding in England and was suprised to see how little effort some of the guests had made, some of the women wore denim and had tattoos on full display!!! OK people can dress as they like but its a matter of respect.
maybe thats why Kilts are so good-you can wear them on almost any occasion dressed up and down and people ALWAY think youve made and effort!!

I could not agree more! I wore ties all through my working life without discomfort and, when I retired, I assumed that I would wear them infrequently. The truth is that I very often feel undressed, naked even, if I don't wear one - and I am seven years into retirement!

It is patently obvious, and this has come up several times in the past, that in general standards in the USA are quite different to those we hold here in Europe. That is why I find it so difficult to give advice (when asked) to our North American brethren concerning matters of a kilted sartorial nature.

[macwilkin]

I could not agree more! I wore ties all through my working life without discomfort and, when I retired, I assumed that I would wear them infrequently. The truth is that I very often feel undressed, naked even, if I don't wear one - and I am seven years into retirement!

It is patently obvious, and this has come up several times in the past, that in general standards in the USA are quite different to those we hold here in Europe. That is why I find it so difficult to give advice (when asked) to our North American brethren concerning matters of a kilted sartorial nature.

Hamish (and Daz), this is one North American who agrees with your points-of-view regarding ties. Scotty's post is also similar to my feelings.

I wore (and continue to wear) a uniform in an official capacity as a US National Park Service Ranger, and over time, I learned that a professional appearance on the job (or off) is a "door-opener", the same as a gent in a kilt "dressed to the nines".

Again, apologies for a OT post, especially to Graham.

Cheers,

Todd

[Graham]

WOW !
this is the most interesting response I've seen to any of my nearly 4000 posts.

Thanks for all the advice, some very interesting ideas and thoughts.
Dreadbelly, I do sympathise with not wearing a tie, I rarely do.
The Bible says "refrain from that which is strangled" ;-)

I did think that wearing a tie is a way of emphasising that a kilt is a legitimate alternative garment for formal wear as well as casual.

I guess my concern arises from dressing in another country with different customs.
I will be myself, that's for sure, I have had an email from a pastor to say that some will be in formal suits, others will be in "slacks and sports shirt".

I have bought a couple of short sleeved Kathmandu brand collared shirts.
Yes Hamish, I was thinking of your advice when i chose the colours, a dark blue and a beige shirt.

The lighter, )PV kilts I'll be wearing will be Scottish National, Gunn and Stewart Hunting, all basically green.

We will have to take clothes for all climates, Denver will be hot, thru to Orkneys which will be cooler and maybe wet.
Kilts certainly make easy work of packing clothes for travel.

Our church is fairly conservative, I find the Hispanic members tend to be more formal at church (and there a lot of them).
But we are a multicultural church who believe that the colour of our skin adds to the wonder of church unity and in no way lessens our value, (the President of the church is African American) so i don't see why a Scottish kilt should not have a place!

I'll certainly add a bit of colour to the place (mostly green)

[Dreadbelly]

Graham, forgive me for asking...

But does that green text match the green tights you will be wearing when you visit?

Inquiring minds wanting to know and all.

[bubba]

I have no particular problem with a necktie, but I only wear one for weddings and funerals, a clip-on at that. Y'all might find it odd, but I never learned to tie one so I take the easy way out. ;-)

[Mr. Kilt]

Graham...you'll look fine in whatever you choose to wear.

As for ties...I'm with Dread, I hate 'em! The last job that required me to wear one was back in 1984. Since then I've had blue-collar type jobs where a t-shirt and blue jeans were acceptable. I don't even wear a tie at any semi-formal events, and I'm to poor to be invited to formal ones. LOL

When I got hired at Calgary Transit in April we were told that the training uniform required us to wear a tie. Bleh! I hated the thought of being forced into tie-wearing as a daily event again. However, we were also told that once we passed the training program (21 days), we didn't have to wear the tie with our uniform if we didn't want to! Woohoo! Let the bells ring out and the banners fly!!

[Muddy]

Graham, you'll find that in America, to tie or not to tie is a personal
expression for the most part. I'll say it again for those who profess
to hate ties.....if it's uncomfortable, it's because your shirt collar is
toooooo smalllllllll. I wear a tie on occasion for fun. Tartan ties are cool
man. But in America, we largely wear what we want. So you do so too.

[Sir Robert]

Typically in the USA one wears a business suit with a four in hand tie to church. If that is not possable, I would wear a nice shirt and tie.