Quote Originally Posted by Sgt Lucky View Post
Like Tobus, I picked up a plain black mess jacket - haven't worn it out yet (waiting for plainer buttons to replace the gold naval ones) but trying it on in the mirror, I was surprised that aesthetically it didn't look too out of place with a long tie. So if you're breaking the rules intelligently and with a good eye, cool beans. Problem is, I think the mess jacket works because the lapels are self-faced; not sure my sense of black tie tradition would let me pair satin lapels and a long tie, but I do have my pet rules I get hung up on while breaking others.
While it may not be 'traditional', I thought it worked just fine, wearing a tie with a mess jacket. Aesthetically, it works for me because the kilt is worn higher than trousers, and so the tie is tied shorter. This is just my personal opinion, of course, but even with the short mess jacket (or a PC for that matter), a regular tie can work, sans waistcoat, if it's tied so that it stops at the buckle.

The lapels on my mess jacket are not self-faced, though. They are satin, or some other material that's shinier than the jacket itself.

(edit: note the presence of exposed knees, lol)