Cheap Formal Suit and Tie

[campbell]

I always laugh at threads with Aryll jackets and the like, because I am one of the few people who cannot spend $200-$500 on a kilt jacket. This is the outfit I wear to formal events.

1. I wear a SWK, www.stillwaterkilts.com in blackwatch tartan.

2. A black, 3-tassel sporran on a silver chain. (from stillwater)

3. A black, kilt belt with silver buckle. (from stillwater or www.kiltmart.com)

4. A white, long sleeve shirt from wal-mart.

5. A solid green tie from www.solidcolorneckties.com.

6. Off-white hose with green flashes. (from stillwater or kiltmart)

7. A black, one-button Eton jacket from http://www.uniformalwearhouse.com/ap...ojackets4.html

When I attend a funeral, I change the color of the tie and flashes to solid black. Leave the jacket unbuttoned. Slainte'.

[Casey_in_Carolina]

That's interesting. Did you trim the bottom of the jacket up to be more on par with a kilt jacket? If not, how much does it overlap?

Casey
(dirt poor and not ashamed to make do with what I can)

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Bragging? Complaining? A little of both? It sounds perfectly fine to me, although I'd suggest a black bow tie for those "formal" occasions when others might be in a tux. Other than that your Eaton jacket is doing everything an Argyll would do. Which is why an Argyll (or an Eaton, for that matter) is the best all-round jacket for someone starting out-- especially if budget is a concern. You might want to consider adding a PC waistcoat and a six-button waistcoat to round out your wardrobe as finances permit.

[PiobBear]

You're not one of the few, or if you are, I'm one of the few, too. I've considerably more formal wear than that, but most of it is second-hand, some of it is EBay, and it's slowly accumulated over a period of years.

I re-rigged one of their Eton jackets with 5/8" gilt "Erin Go Bragh" harp buttons and a chain, similar to a mess jacket.

[Bugbear]

Well, guess that seddles it then.

I would like to know if any other modifications need to be made to the jacket, and exactly what they are if any. BTW, Chef has also sighned off on this jacket to some degree, but says it needs a little work.

If you can't tell, I'm smiling.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Well, guess that seddles it then.

I would like to know if any other modifications need to be made to the jacket, and exactly what they are if any. BTW, Chef has also signed off on this jacket to some degree, but says it needs a little work.

If you can't tell, I'm smiling.

I wear an Eaton with trews-- what I've found is that you have to buy a very traditional Eaton-- one that looks exactly like a tails coat without the tails, otherwise the body will be a tad too long, and it will look a bit boxy when worn with either trews or a kilt.

There is another uniform company I can recommend: www.customuniformcompany.com who seem to offer an excellent selection of goods, including proper overcoats/great coats for kilt wear.

[Bugbear]

Thank you, MacMillan of Rathdown . That looks like an exelent company.

They do small order, custom work, and that is a second option especially if you are not able to do it yourself. Here's the link again.

Custom Uniform Company

* It's also been suggested to look at tuxedo rental stores for used Eton and mess jackets that are being sold. I guess it's the concept of wearing an Eton jacket with a kilt that seems to be important. You don't have to get the uniformal Eton if you can afford better.

[Panache]

campbell,

If you have one, you should post a picture of your ensemble. I too admit that the cost of a kilt jacket is daunting. If the outfit you assembled looks smart it doesn't matter where the components came from.

That said, I wouldn't knock "real" kilt jackets (by this I only mean jackets made intended to be worn with kilts). They look great with kilts because that is exactly what they are designed to do.

Cheers

Jamie

[billmcc]

I would like to know if any other modifications need to be made to the jacket, and exactly what they are if any.

No modifications are required, though some people replace the standard buttons with silver-colored ones.

Here is a thread about the Eton jacket as formal wear by Alan H:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/u...ht=Uber+Formal

[Bugbear]

Thank you for posting the link, billmcc.