Tartan Plaid Ties & Cravats

A cravat is a wider, softer neckpiece worn tucked into an open shirt collar rather than knotted tight against the throat. It reads as daytime formal and slightly relaxed, which makes it a common choice at daytime weddings. A tie is more formal and more usual for evening. Both are correct with Highland dress.

It can, and at a wedding an exact match reads as deliberate. Away from that, a tie in a single strong colour pulled from the sett usually looks better, because two identical patterns close together compete for attention. What never works is a near miss, meaning a different tartan that almost matches.

Yes, and it is one of the easiest ways to carry a clan sett into ordinary clothes. A tartan tie with a plain dark suit and a white shirt is entirely conventional and reads as a considered detail rather than as a costume. Keep the rest of the outfit free of pattern and it works anywhere.

A standard tie with a turndown collar for an Argyll jacket and daytime wear. A bow tie with a wing collar for a Prince Charlie in the evening, which is the black tie equivalent. A cravat sits alongside the Argyll as a softer daytime alternative. See kilt shirts for the collar that goes with each.

A standard width of around three inches suits most kilt jackets. Length matters more than usual, because a kilt waistband sits higher than trousers, so the tie tip should finish at the top of the waistband rather than below it. A tie sized for a suit will often hang too long over a kilt.

Premium acrylic woven to the sett, lined so the knot holds its shape without pulling the tartan out of line. Because the pattern is woven rather than printed, the sett stays correct through the knot and across the blade rather than distorting at the fold as a printed tie does.

Cross it at the throat, bring one end up and over, then tuck both ends inside an open shirt collar so the fabric sits full and soft against the chest. It is meant to look relaxed rather than knotted tight. Pin it with a small tie pin if it will not stay seated.

No. Ties are lined and cut on the bias, so washing distorts the shape permanently and no amount of pressing recovers it. Spot clean marks with a barely damp cloth, or send it to a dry cleaner. Untie it fully every evening rather than pulling it off over your head.