outift advice

[joeydknecht]

hi lads,, ok well here goes.... i am attending a united nations ball in vienna at the hofburg palace black tie occasion.... so i am wearing a PC w. waist coat white wing collar shirt, celtic knot cufflinks that have black enamel back ground and the knot work is in silver, which will match my all black calf skin sporran which also has black enamel back ground and silver knot work cantel, the belt buckle is black enamel with silver thistle in knot work..which matches the kilt pin..... kilt is pure black which i thought would be good for a black tie and tails event....not wearing the murray tartan to this whi ch i know most of ya would have said throw away the all black kilt.....bow tie is black and self tie style..kilt hose are black with flashes black as well......now im pretty set on wearing that..now for the opera, the following night. im wearing a navy argyle with 5 button waist coat, with pocket watch and gold chain, with murray taratan ,navy hose with wine flashes.... white collar shirt with french cuffs..... now with this outfit i have a ruche tie wine in color as well, or should i go with a strait neck tie? would the ruche tie look like a wedding ? any comments?

[ThistleDown]

Go with the straight tie, Joey. Leave the ruche ones for the hire firms to dole out.

[piperdbh]

Why are you attending the opera (in Vienna) in less formal attire than the ball? I'd say get some colored hose and wear the black tie to both events.

[joeydknecht]

well the oper form what ive been seeing is not a real formal night out as it used to be people are now showing up in not so dressy attire, which i dont agree with.... didnt know if the pc would be to much for an opera then a late night dinner after words.....was thinking the 5 button argyle with a ruche tie would make it a lil more formal with not going over board.....

[The Barry]

Just because it's formal doesn't mean that you need to go black tie. The argyle is a great selection for that night. Pair it with the straight tie and you'll look great!

[Jordan]

Personally I think ruche ties are naff looking, stick to a proper one

Jordan

[JSFMACLJR]

I ALWAYS dress for the opera: either white tie or black tie. I'm shocked to find out that gentlemen don't dress for the opera in Vienna any more!. Step up to the plate and dress appropriately.

Oh, and I'd lose the black kilt. Wear the Murray tartan.

[Lime]

I'm being a pedant but: Black tie and tails event? Tails are normally worn with white tie. Double check the invite: you don't want to end up at a gun fight with a knife - to paraphrase Sir Sean.

Throw away the ruche or lock it in a bottom drawer and save it for one of those evenings when everyone has gone out, you can lock the door, draw the curtains.... and indulge yourself a little.

[Detroitpete]

I'd say go with the tartan kilt for both. I attend the opera and theatre quite often and I think the argyle and regular tie is the best selection. I DO however have to admit to NO experience with a ruche tie. On the right man, I think they look dressy and nice--but I'm 5'7" with an 18 1/2 inch neck. A ruche tie on me is kind of like wrapping a silk drape around a beer keg

[Tobus]

Oh, and I'd lose the black kilt. Wear the Murray tartan.

***. Wearing a black kilt just because it's a "tails" type of event seems like an attempt to Saxonize the kilt.

This being a United Nations ball, you may run into actual Scotsmen there. Do them proud, and wear the kilt according to their tradition! And besides, people from all other nations who are present will likely recognize the kilt more readily in its original context.