What level of formality would a commencement ceremony fall under?

[Manu]

From a traditional standpoint of course. My wife's commencement ceremony, or university graduation if you will, is coming up in May and I plan to look my best in kilted attire. While this might be a casual or informal thin for some, I am incredibly proud of my wife for finishin up her degree while working full time, parenting two kids, and all while me being deployed for most of the last two years, so it is special to us. My question to the traditionalists is, where would this event fall under regarding kilted attire? Daywear formal? Just a shirt and tie? I look forward to all your responses! Thanks!

[plaid preacher]

My guess is that most other invited guests will not be in tuxedos or morning coats, therefore, you are looking for the business suit equivalent. To my mind that is a tweed jacket (with or without vest - depending on temp) with a shirt and tie. I think you do want to look sharp for her. Alternatively, I'm sure you would probably be fine with shirt and tie only, although I always think when I am out in my kilt I want to wear a jacket, just to kick it up a notch. A plain leather sporran and well polished shoes will finish things off nicely.

Congratulations to your wife on her achievement.

[cck]

What would you wear if you were not wearing a kilt?
(Assuming the answer is trousers.) Could you substitute a kilt for trousers?

[Father Bill]

My clerical colleague's comment above is correct in my view. There won't be people in tuxes. Suit and tie is the Saxon level, so tweed & kilt... will still make you the best-dressed and flashiest guy in the crowd.

Congratulations to your wife, the scholar, and please post pix of the two of you together (with family?) at this prestigious event!

[lschwartz]

This thread should give you some visual ideas of what everyone is talking about. It has two series of pictures showing different levels of formality. I think that #6 and #7 in the first series is what you are looking for. Images #6 and #7 in the second series are also good for what you are looking for.

Here in the U.S. a darker jacket will likely work better for the semi-formal look you want so a dark gray or black tweed might work well if you don't go with the argyll. If you wear a sporran, go with something black to add to the formality, but you wouldn't have to get something with fur or silver accents if you don't want to or it is out of the budget. And a hat isn't really necessary if you don't want to wear one.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

[Manu]

Thank you all folks for the guidance, very helpful! In my mind I was between dressy and smart daywear as posted by Panache and McMurdo. More than likely I will acquire a grey or charcoal tweed combo and leave the waistcoat at home (too hot for Miami weathrr!)

If I weren't going kilted, I'd probably wear a pair of slacks and a button down shirt, but I feel that would fall short kilted. It's what I wore to the local highland games, and I definitely wanna kick it up a notch.

I will most definitely post pictures from the special day! It's funny how my wife's first reaction when she first saw me kilted was to tell me that it was off putting, and by the end of the day she couldnt get over how smart and good I looked kilted and can't see me enough in it lol

[Jock Scot]

Congratulations to your wife and to you. In the circumstances that you describe it is a team effort, I know I have the T shirt! Most men would opt for a suit for the special occasion, I think. Anything more or less would not do justice to the event, so tweed kilt jacket with your kilt is the way to go.

Mrs Jock B.Sc., at her graduation from the University of Stirling.