Style Guy Nov 07
For all of you northern hemisphere types, you’ll be thinking of altering your Highland wardrobe this off-season: getting rid of those well-past-it-waistcoats, considering French cuffs, putting the finishing touches on your band’s most important ensemble – the uniform. The questions will abound. Fear not, dear readers. The Style Guy is here to help. Like letters to Santa, The Style Guy always delivers on messages sent his way.
Let’s open up the Inbox to what my confused fans have to ask this time . . .Dear Style Guy:I need you to settle a debate. We recently upgraded to some snappy new ties, and are having some discussion as to where the bottom of the tie should lay when playing with jackets and/or vests off.Just atop the belt buckle? Split the buckle? Just below? Or the ever favourite, middle of the chest with the thin side of the tie a couple inches below (and behind) the wide part?!Cheers,
Weaving Thru Glengarry
Dear Glen:Tae the weavers gin ye gang, fair maids! I am so glad that you had the courage to ask me these important questions. Where the necktie hangs is one of the most frequent Highland fashion faux pasesesses. I so often go round the games witnessing the most atrocious and slovenly finishes to one of the most important pieces of our piping and drumming get-up. I shall now put the issue to rest.The end of the straight necktie – that is, its very end-point – should meet exactly at the half-way point of the waist-belt buckle, if one is wearing no waistcoat/vest. (A belt should never be worn with a waistcoat; see previous Style Guy columns.) This takes a bit of finessing of the knot, and, chances are, you will have to re-tie your tie a few times to get it right, so leave extra time on the morning before a competition for that.A too-long tie that crosses into tartan territory is an abysmal site, as bad for the aesthetic eye as the too-short tie that creeps up the shirt, leaving a gap between tie and buckle. The former is often a problem seen on skinny short guys; the latter is often seen on overweight pipers and drummers who have too much human real-estate for a standard-length tie to cover. For them to get it right they will have to leave relatively little of the “thin side,” as you call it, Glengarry, sticking out. In this instance, stick the thin bit into your shirt. It’s the only real way to avoid the unsightly tail at the top.

Dear Style Guy:I play quite a few weddings, memorial services, and so on. Most of the time, by band’s uniform (plain black sporran, white shirt, straight black tie, vest and/or jacket) works just fine. There are times, however, when I’d like to “kick it up a notch” for more formal, evening events.I’ve seen some chaps now and again who look quite silly with big fur sporrans that kids like to come up and pet (Michael Jackson, eat your Peter Pan heart out!), coat and vest combinations, floppy bow ties, etc. What would you suggest?I’d appreciate any help you can offer. I can’t really trust anyone around here . . .Peter Deneen
Grand Traverse, Michigan
Dear Peter Piper:You’re in a pickle. There comes a time when every serious piper needs to get serious and get to a proper tailor who can suggest many, many options. A Prince Charlie jacket, waistcoat, tartan hose and bowtie (every gentleman should learn to tie one) are de rigeur for those who perform at or attend formal “Scottish” evening events. You cannot go wrong with it at a Burns Supper, St. Andrew’s Night ceilidh, or the celebration of Scotland’s full secession from Westminster tyranny. Oh, yes, that day will come.Remember that at a wedding or funeral you must never upstage the groom or the corpse. Best to keep it relatively smart and simple, and this may be done by investing in a good “dress” sporran of fine imitation sealskin (The Style Guy is an avowed environmentalist) and perhaps the aforementioned tartan hose that perfectly match your kilt. (Remember that tartan hose may only be worn with a black or deep-blue jacket or doublet.) I also suggest going bonnet-less, and absolutely demand it if the gig requires you to play inside. Unless you are wearing a military- or police-uniform, a gentleman wearing a hat indoors is like a man who lets loose flatus in an elevator.So, if you have the money: the Prince Charlie route is best; if on a budget: a nice sporran and tartan hose will do the task nicely.Got a question of dress for The Style Guy? Click here to send! We can’t promise that yours will be posted, but The Style Guy will get back to you with advice.Remember playing well is good. But looking good is marvelous!
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