Casual Hot Weather Ceilidh Outfit Advice

[TheOfficialBren]

An informal ceilidh (for lack of a better term) popped up in my area for tonight at the Kern County Scottish Society's clubhouse. I've been to dome of their events. The mode of dress runs the gamut from smart to casual (leaning toward casual, usually).

I normally wear a smart tattersall shirt and striped tie to this sort of affair but the heat is absolutely oppressive today and is expected to remain so.

Borrowing a queue from T_challa who always looks sharp even when casually turned out, I thought I'd try something a bit off the other end.

Modern? Yes. Traditional? No...but even my polo shirts are too warm and a t-shirt just won't do on its own!

As a compromise due to the heat (current temperature at 17:22 is a whopping 108*F) thinking of trying out this combination:

Here's the top:


Here's the bottom:


This getup makes no attempt to be THCD and, like any sensible chap, I must adapt when Mother Nature decides to dictate terms!

Here is my hose and show selection to draw upon for this evening. I've pared it down to suit the occasion.




What do you say, Rabble?
Lovat Blue, Ancient Green, or Charcoal hose?

Boots or shoes?

I have an idea but I'd appreciate an opinion or ten on the subject.

[MacMillans son]

I can't imagine the t shirt and vest to be any cooler than a short sleeve button front shirt Bren, I would imagine much warmer actually. Hose choice, I like the lightweight blue ones given the temps. Those Lewis hose are not too heat friendly, in my experience. Is there a choice number 3 for shoes, neither of those are doing it for me ?

Have fun regardless of your choices.

Brooke

[CMcG]

What do you say, Rabble?
Lovat Blue, Ancient Green, or Charcoal hose?

Boots or shoes?

I have an idea but I'd appreciate an opinion or ten on the subject.

Pick the lightest, thinnest hose—all those colours are fine—and wear the shoes. If the heat is really that bad, I'd follow MacMillan's Son's advice and go for a short sleeve shirt, rather than layering a tee shirt and vest. Like so:

[TheOfficialBren]

It seriously is cooler than any of my polos. Believe me, I was skeptical, too.

What do you have in mind shoe-wise?

I'm pretty much a strict THCD kind of guy (weather permitting) and can use some advice for the extra freakish temperatures. Highland clothing just isn't suited to this climate.

The issue is this, I may be starting a new job soon that will keep me away for a long time.

This is probably going to be my last kilted hurrah for several months most likely and I want to enjoy it whilst looking good. The last thing I want to do is cock it up and look a fool.

Many, many thanks, Brooke.

EDITED TO REVISE:

Just the man I hoped to hear from! Thanks, Colin!!

[CMcG]

It seriously is cooler than any of my polos. Believe me, I was skeptical, too.

What do you have in mind shoe-wise?

I find that short sleeve, fully buttoning shirts are cooler still than polos, especially if they are a light cotton. Something about the extra ventilation... although I suppose a polo in some sort of hi-tech wicking fabric would be good too, if a bit sporty. Of the two footwear choices you've presented, the shoes would be cooler than the boots.

It is commendable (to me) to want to look your best. The t-shirt and vest look is hip, yet casual. Nothing wrong there in my book. I'm talking about pure beating the heat comfort

[TheOfficialBren]

Thanks, mate. I found some shoes similar to the ones you're wearing in your pic. I'm wearing those instead.

Plus I've decided on a short-sleeved button up en lieu of the hipster thing. I like the look but I'm not feeling adventurous...just the need to stave off the ridiculous heat!

[TheOfficialBren]

Bren's after action report:

Ceilidh was an inaccurate word. More like a gathering to swap stories, share fellowship, and enjoy some Celtic music and British treats (which were yummy). One lady made an Apple cobbler from apples from her own orchard! It was superb!

The event was small in scale but intimate. I got to meet some really neat folk in my local Scottish Society.
A good time was had by all.

They said to just show up...then I won the pistachio raffle!! YUM!!! I got to share my winnings with the group and give a little something back.

If you guys are ever down this way I highly recommend the Kern County Scottish Society.

Gracious hosts and a decent lot.

[Nathan]

Glad you had fun! Where I come from ceilidh just means party, usually with trad music. Sometimes they're square dances, sometimes they're concerts, sometimes they're house parties with a fiddler and a few friends in a kitchen...They come in a lot of varieties.

[TheOfficialBren]

Ah! Then perhaps I did use the word correctly, Nathan?

Traditional music...check
Fellowship...check
A good time had...check.

Thank you for the insight, my friend.

[Hawk]

Hopefully you'll stay in contact with your new position. Who knows when a kilt might be needed.....

Hawk