Necktie length

[JBfromBS]

Hey all,

Just wanted to ask a question I have not seen posted yet (although maybe it has been, but I just missed it! :-D ). Where can you find a "short" necktie to wear with your kilt? It seems that if you are wearing a traditional kilt at the traditional "kilt waist" a normal length necktie would be way too long. Does anyone have any advice on this? Thanks guys (or gals!),

Joe

[Doc Hudson]

When you are over six feet tall, nearly all standard ties are short.

Let me make two recommendations.

First, merely experiment with how you tie your tie. On most standard ties, I have to have the underhaning end extremely short. Perhaps you should experiment with having the two ends of more nearly equal length. There is also an option of having tucking the underhanging end inside your shirt, between the buttons. There are also several different knots you can use that will greatly vary the length of the finished tie. I like the Shelby Knot better than a standard Windsor.
The second option is to buy ties intended for boys. You might have trouble finding ties that are not clip-on abominations or with childish themes or colors, but at least you can probably find some short enough for an Oliver Hardy imitation.

[davedove]

Many kilt dealers sell what they call kilt ties. I don't know for sure, but I would imagine they are somewhat shorter than standard ties.

[Freelander Sporrano]

I don't seem to have any difficulty with my tie length I was at a funeral recently and tied my tie to just cover my belt buckle.
I find that tucking the tie in the kilt looks awfull. Maybe to shorten it you should tie a knot which uses a little more of the lentgh if you get what I mean. I tie a Windsor knot. Maybe you use a simpler version that takes less of the tie.
I hope this helps

[Planopiper]

I always try to tie my tie long enough that it will tuck into the top of the kilt. I like how that looks lined up w/ the buckle. I prefer that to having the tie get blown around by the wind or have it go off-center for some reason. I like to know that while I'm playing the pipes, the tie is where it's supposed to be, because I can't stop to fix it.

[Bill]

I always try to tie my tie long enough that it will tuck into the top of the kilt. I like how that looks lined up w/ the buckle. I prefer that to having the tie get blown around by the wind or have it go off-center for some reason. I like to know that while I'm playing the pipes, the tie is where it's supposed to be, because I can't stop to fix it.

Hello!

I would agree with the information about the knot it does make a difference!

On the wandering tie problem have you considered a tie tack or bar? I've seen some sites that offer a chain featuring ones clan badge suspended to hang center on the tie. My personal preference is a tack with a short chain with a small bar that slips through the button hole thus keeping the tie in place.

Then there is always a vest. ;)

Slainte!

Bill

[MacSimoin]

Many kilt dealers sell what they call kilt ties. I don't know for sure, but I would imagine they are somewhat shorter than standard ties.

The County Cavan necktie I own (from the House of Edgar) is about two inches shorter than your 'average' necktie after tying a good double-Windsor knot. Almost all of my other ties reach my waste (pants) line after tying the same knot. Whether or not this 'shortage' is intentional by the mill I cannot say but it would seem to make sense for kilt wear.

[clancelt]

The double windsor(My dad taught me this as a child) is a good looking knot and sucks up a lot of tie ;)

I can always get the tie looking good with this knot. I also have a big neck, so your milage may very. I don't think any other knot will use as much of the tie though.

Double Windsor

[Hal]

The double windsor(My dad taught me this as a child) is a good looking knot and sucks up a lot of tie ;)

You beat me to it! I would also suggest the Half Windsor as an alternative, in case you need to use "less" tie than a full Windsor, but more than a Four-in-Hand.

http://www.tie-a-tie.net/halfwindsor.html


Personally, I can use either a Half Widsor or a Four-in-Hhand, mostly due to my neck size!

Hal

[Barb T]

Umm, here's a real brute force technique. Not only am I short, but in our band, we have standard black US Navy surplus ties that are regular length. The extra tail on my tie was _really_ long. So, I just tied my tie with a nice big knot, got out a pair of scissors, and cut the tail of the tie off in the back. Because ties are made on the bias, it hasn't raveled yet, and it's been 4 years.

Barb