What Should I Wear?

[LANCER1562]

My local Community Theater is hosting "Handel's Messiah" next Saturday evening and I'm wondering if I should wear the equivalent of suit and tie with my kilt or something more formal? Any suggestions?

[Zardoz]

How do folks usually at the Community Theater events?

[Really a McQueen]

Well ... what do you have? And what would the other attendees be likely to wear?

If others are likely to wear a business suit (or equivalent) and you have a black Argyle jacket, then you're all set. If the others are only likely to wear a blazer or sport coat and Dockers (at best), then go with a tweed jacket or a V-neck sweater (with collared shirt and necktie), depending on what you already have. In short, a dark Argyle jacket can be dressed up, or down (a touch), but a Prince Charlie should be reserved for an occasion where you might otherwise wear a tuxedo, or other formal wear.

[LANCER1562]

Zardoz,
Since I've never been to this theater, I don't know what others normally wear. Also, I haven't been to the theater, ballet, symphony, opera, etc. since I started wearing kilts.

I have a black Argyle jacket. Unfortunately, I have lost so much weight it no longer fits. I do have a black suit jacket cut to kilt length and a black vest or dark navy V-neck sweater, collared shirt and tie that I could wear. I also have a tweed jacket.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I'd suggest wearing the equivalent of a suit and tie; the black suit and vest sounds like the perfect outfit. (And congrats on loosing all that weight!)

[LANCER1562]

MoR,

Thank you for the advice. It wasn't that big a weight loss, from a size 42 R jacket to a 40 R and three inches off my waist. The Argyle always was a bit big, starting out as a 44 R and then being altered.

[Jock Scot]

I think, as suggested, the suit option is the way to go, or the kilt equivalent. Just so you know, a tweed argyle of any colour will fit the bill perfectly.This idea of black tweed is more smart than any other colour is plain nonsense, remember we are talking kilt attire here where the "rules" and definitions are different. However, if you like black tweed then wear it. In passing, you have time to do your research on what others are wearing on the night, just for your peace of mind, why not ask the theatre?

[kilted scholar]

Clearly you need to find what attendees at your community theatre generally wear. As a regular concert goer, in Washington DC and Philadelphia, and latterly in London, Bath and Bristol - symphonic and chamber music - few now wear suits and ties to concerts. This may have been de rigeur a generation back but not now. However, your local situation may be different.

[Phil]

As Georg Friedrich Händel was a German by birth you might even consider lederhosen as a suitable tribute to the composer. Myself I would wear whatever seems appropriate in the local community.

[ThistleDown]

Well, I don't know, Phil. Lederhosen are not German national dress, you know. They really just belong to Bavaria, parts of Austria and the south Tyrol . But I rush in here to clarify and say that any can wear them if they want to.