Evening dress question.

**Jamie McP** · 18th October 13, 07:51 PM

I will be seeing a musical at the Sydney Opera House soon, then later I will be "dressing for dinner" on a cruise ship. Does anyone have suggestions for appropriate kilt dress at these two events?

**Bob C** · 18th October 13, 08:19 PM

I'd say a Prince Charlie on the cruise ship. Something less formal, say an Argyll with a regular tie, would probably suit the opera house.

**cck** · 18th October 13, 09:36 PM

Some cruise ships I have been on specified the dress for certain evenings. "Formal" would indicate a Price Charlie. If you are uncertain, an Argyll would be a good choice. As for the Sydney Opera House and a musical, I don't know what is usual there. This evening I went to a performance of the Austin Symphony and the attire was all over the place. In a couple of weeks I am attending the opening night of the Austin Lyric Opera and I am wearing a Prince Charlie jacket with my kilt. Undoubtedly there will be some people attending in t-shirts and jeans.

**MacLowlife** · 18th October 13, 09:36 PM

When you say later, do you mean later the same night? If so, I'd suggest you wear an Argyll with a white shirt- slip off your first tie and slip on a dressy bow tie. If you are going to be doing both evenings out of one suitcase, I'd still suggest you wear the Argyll, as it is a little more versatile. You may even decide to wear your kilt one day on the trip and the Argyll, while slightly dressy, would be fine for "smart daywear". If you are simply going to a musical and then, later in life, dressing for dinner on the cruise ship, then by all means wear the PC. Be prepared to discuss your kilt and your kilt gear with fellow passengers. Have a good time and be sure to show us some pictures.

The musical isn't Brigadoon, by any chance, is it?

**MacRobert's Reply** · 19th October 13, 02:58 AM

My wife and I have recently returned from a cruise of the Baltic. Three of the dinners on board were black tie and, since the cruise sailed from Scotland, many of us were Scots and were kilted for these events. All but two of the kilted guests wore PCs or black silver-buttoned Argyll jackets. One fellow was in a tweed jacket and I wore a dark green Kenmore/Balmoral type doublet ... there's always one or two deviants!

Our evening at the ballet in St Petersburg was not a formal do. Most men wore a jacket and some also wore a tie but no black-tie.

Enjoy the cruise!

**HarveyH** · 19th October 13, 03:29 AM

Australian members may want to comment, but from my experience of visits down under, a sports jacket and tie counts as rather formal dress in Australian culture. A few people were wearing suits and ties at the opera but I suspect unless it is a gala night, formal is not what it means in Europe or the US.

An Argyle with a kilt is going to put you at the very smart end anyway.

I would not want to comment on the ship except to say that in a mostly unkilted company, simply wearing a kilt with a proper jacket (not necessarily black with silver) puts you in the smarter crowd anyway and no one would suggest it is not "formal". But you have to be comfortable with your look!

**Jock Scot** · 19th October 13, 04:10 AM

In my world "dressing for dinner" means( a code if you like) black tie, so the appropriate dress attire is required and you have had ideas from others above. As to the Sydney Opera House I have no idea of the expected "local dress form" there, but I would guess a black tie for an evening do and suit equivelant for a daytime performance would also be appropriate too, but local addaptations may well be in place. Why not send the Opera House an email and ask them what the "form" is? When you do and get an answer, as I have no doubts that you will, please let us know as these snippets of local info. are useful for future reference.

**Jamie McP** · 19th October 13, 10:47 AM

Thanks for the tip. The musical is South Pacific, and I will not be aboard the ship for a couple of days. I will, however, be living out of a suitcase, so your comments are a big help.

**Jamie McP** · 19th October 13, 10:57 AM

Again, thank you for the suggestions. I do have a black Argyle with silver buttons, so this sounds like the most versatile way to go. I suppose I can dress it up or down if I do or do not wear the waistcoat. I can also change out the ties. I will also try to get in touch with the opera house. I am glad I found this site. You all are a big help.

**Highlander31** · 19th October 13, 11:43 AM

If you have a PC, the waistcoat will work with the argyle (of course that's presuming both jackets are the standard black barathea wool). An argyle with a three button waistcoat with formal shirt and bow tie is appropriate for black tie. One jacket, and two waistcoats allows you to have three different looks without the need of more space in the luggage.

Enjoy your trip.