Formal Shirts

A wing collar with a bow tie for a Prince Charlie jacket in the evening, which is the black tie equivalent. A turndown collar with a standard tie for an Argyll jacket and for daytime. The jacket decides this rather than preference, so choose the jacket first and the shirt follows.

Almost always, and for a practical reason rather than a traditional one. A tartan kilt is the only pattern the outfit should carry, and a white shirt keeps it that way while photographing cleanly under any lighting. Ivory works with weathered setts. Coloured shirts fight the sett.

Closer through the body than an ordinary shirt, since it is tucked into a high kilt waistband and any excess bunches at the waist and shows through the jacket. The cuff should extend about half an inch beyond the jacket sleeve. Send chest, sleeve and neck rather than a collar size alone.

For an Argyll jacket and daytime wear, yes, a plain white shirt is entirely correct. Where an ordinary shirt falls short is with a Prince Charlie, which needs a wing collar to sit properly under a bow tie. See tartan neckwear for what goes with each.

Hang the shirt immediately after washing rather than leaving it in the drum, since collar creases set fast and are difficult to press out. Iron the collar and cuffs first, then the body. For a wing collar, press it flat before folding the points or they sit unevenly under a bow tie.

Only if the shirt has double cuffs, which most formal Highland shirts do. Choose a plain metal in the same finish as your kilt pin and buckle rather than anything decorative, since the outfit already has enough detail.