Question for Jock and other Scots: neckwear.

[RichardtheLarge]

Hello the rabble,

In another thread regarding the use of the jabot, Jock mentioned that in some contexts a black bow tie would be considered more formal than a jabot and cuffs—in Scotland.

Would further elaboration be possible? I have several specific neckwear questions:

First, the “morningwear silk neck tie”, worn with the black and silver Argyll jacket: Must it be grey? Must it be solid, or can it be patterned in grey or other colors?

Next, the jabot. I have frequently read that this is to be worn with “full dress eveningwear” and some type of doublet.

The white bow tie: is this a faux pas with Highlandwear? OCRichard has provided some historic photos of gentlemen in diced hose, doublets, and white ties, making me curious whether the white bow tie is more or less interchangeable with the jabot and simply a matter of taste. It’s worth noting, however, that the white tie and waistcoat (and indeed, the cut of the Prince Charlie in general) is frequently critiqued in books on Highland dress as producing an overall “Lowland effect”.

Finally, the black bow tie: my impression, and my personal practice, has been to wear one in contexts where at least some people are attired in tuxedos. They’ll wear trousers, jackets, black ties, and waistcoats/cummerbunds, whereas I’ll wear my BBSBA, black waistcoat, black bow tie, kilt, dress sporran, and Argyle patterned hose with Queen Anne brogues. I’ve hitherto believed that I’m doing it “right” on these occasions, and neckwear other than a black bow tie had never even occurred to me in this particular context.

So when, or how, then, would a black bow tie be equally or more formal than a jabot with lace cuffs?

Thank you kindly in advance for your feedback on this subject, as this is a kernel of knowledge which I’ve hitherto never encountered.