colour-blind

[MDR-V300]

I've got my first semi-formal event to go to kilted, and I'm not entirely sure what 'semi-formal' means.

I mean, I know I don't have to wear a prince charlie and pull up in a limo, but past that I'm not sure.

I'll be wearing a maple leaf tartan kilt, with muted green hose and a belt that is, in my best estimation, 'mahogany', or reddish brown.

Would some low Doc Martens [black] work with that? I remember hearing once that belts and shoes should match.

Also, would gold flashes work [in the tartan, the green has gold in the middle of it]? I'm also thinking maybe a white short sleeved dress shirt with no tie [or a black one?]

Most of this is really up for grabs, because I don't own much by way of clothing [being paid for the first time in forever on monday, so shopping is in order]

There's a certain young lady that needs impressing - else I'd not even consider what to wear until it was time to get dressed.

[The Wizard of BC]

Formal is generally defined as Tuxedo. "White tie" and "black tie" are levels of formal.
Semi formal is generally referring to functions requiring a dinner jacket.
When kilted, if you do not own, or wish to wear, highland dress, a dark suit coat will suffice. Black or Navy is preferred.
White or pale cream shirt, with bow tie if you have one. If not a solid tie or one with a small pattern.
Cream hose, black wide belt and black dress shoes. The shiner the better.
Semi-formal is one step up from Business dress. You should look better and dressier than a politician on TV. Think of Sean Connery as James Bond when he goes to play Chemin-de-fer in the movies.
Remember this Semi-Formal event is classy. Probably with speeches and ballroom dancing afterwards. It is a time to dress to-the-nines. A Maple Leaf Tartan Kilt is perfect due to the muted colors. Be sure to wear the dressiest sporran you have. Belt, shoes and Sporran must match

[macwilkin]

The Wizard has summed things up nicely, but I will add a couple of things:

1. Stay away from short-sleeved dress shirts for more formal events (unless you're wearing a jacket over it) -- I personally do not like them (except on more casual shirts for summer time), but unless you're in uniform (like a pipe band in summer kit), the short-sleeves look "odd" with a tie.

2. I also don't like white dress shirts, save for more "formal" dress, like with an Argyll or Charlie jacket. For what you're wanting to do, a nice sage-green coloured dress would do nicely. a plain black tie would go well with a black belt and black shoes, but I like more "daring" ties. I usually wear "Regimental Stripes" or emblem ties -- I have a beautiful tie from Brooks Brothers with Blue-and-gold fluer-de-lis (for my wife's French heritage) on a green background that almost matches the green in my kilt.

What is the event exactly? That might help us more.

Cheers,

T.

[The Wizard of BC]

additionally you can look at;

kinlochanderson-kilts.com/about.html
They have pictures.

This is probably not just a dinner out with your date. It's an event. Dress for the event.

Get on the phone to your local highland dress rental shop. You already have the kilt so renting the rest should not be expensive.

[macwilkin]

Get on the phone to your local highland dress rental shop. You already have the kilt so renting the rest should not be expensive.

Amen. And if you don't have a Highland attire shop that rents the kit, you could always get a short tux jacket (sometimes called a Captain's Jacket or Mess jacket) that doesn't cover the pleats and usually comes with a vest (stay away from cummerbunds wi' kilts -- never, never, never!) and a plain white dress shirt with a black bow tie, and you should be set.

T.

[Hamish]

Whatever you do, PLEASE do not wear a suit coat or any jacket not designed to be worn with the kilt - they are all far too long and, not only impede the swing of the pleats but also, look totally ridiculous. I am sorry if I contradict anyone else here, but just take a look at yourself in a full-length mirror and you'll see what I mean. It is an affront to the kilt to cover it with a long jacket.

A Prince Charlie IS formal but a Crail or black Argyll is less so - Semi-Formal in fact.

Be very careful indeed with coloured shirts, even when going Semi-Formal. They are considered to be casual wear. Nevertheless, whatever shirt you wear be sure that it is a plain and not a patterned one - the patterned emphasis MUST be on the kilt.

You need a tie (unless you are in a Jacobite-style shirt which, with a potaine waistcoat, can be considered Semi-Formal), and it should be plain black. A bow-tie makes the outfit formal.

Boots are casual, no matter what style of boot you are thinking of. Polished, shoes are what you need for Semi-Formal wear - and they should be black not brown (likewise the belt). Brown is casual.

I know and appreciate that North American ideas can differ from those in Scotland and the British Isles, but please, at all times, be aware of your respect for The Kilt.

Truly, I hope you have and enjoy a great event. The chances of this happening will depend upon the attention you pay to your appearance. Believe me, I know. I have been there.

[macwilkin]

Ignore everything else, but LISTEN TAE HAMISH!! :mrgreen:

He is "spot on" on what to do, especially for semi-formal -- there was a bit of confusion on my part because I wasn't sure what type of event our Edmonton friend is going to.

When all else fails -- ask Hamish! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

T.

[MDR-V300]

wow, that was quick and informative, everybody!

The event is a company christmas party, and I don't know how seriously anbody takes it, since I just started last month.

[For the curious, I work at a company making mascots and the dress code at work is simply that clothes must be worn]

I just took a look at the local fabric store, and I couldn't find gold grosgrain ribbon for flashes, so I think my only option there would be black.

I'm in a bit of a pickle with this, since I own nothing very formal excepting the shoes, hose and the kilt. The shoes are like so

and I won't have enough money to buy a coat of any description.

I have no sporran that is even moderately presentable, so I might rent one. Am I looking for one with hair, or just with a silver cantle? Also, should it be black?

As for a belt, I only have a narrow [1 1/4"] belt that is black, since my wider kilt belt is ruddy-brown, such that it complements the maple-leaf tartan. Is narrow and black better than wide and not black?

Maybe I'll try to borrow a camera so that I can get the final okay from you all a couple of days before this saturday.

[The Wizard of BC]

I heartly second "Listen tae Hamish".

Of course we're talking Calgary here. It's kinda like Texas with snow.

If you wear your kilt, hose, BLACK Cowboy Boots, BLACK Gun Belt w/ Ivory handled Colts, and your BLACK Stetson,your set. And The Black Bolo Tie should be tied in a nice bow.

[MDR-V300]

Of course we're talking Calgary here.

Ye'd best watch yerself when mixing up Edmonton and Calgary, there. :x