Request for Help: complete this formal ensemble

[adsmguy]

Next month I'll be attending the Opening Night Gala at the Metropolitan Opera. So far I have assembled the Prince Charlie jacket and waistcoat with antique finish buttons (I don't do shiny metals), wing collar shirt and black bow tie, my Price of Wales kilt (maroon, olive green, dark gold, navy blue, and dark blue), a skunk fur sporran with thistle design pewter cantle, an Oconee Leather Works sporran strap that matches my shoes, a thistle design pewter kilt pin, and my specially designed black oxford shoes. The sgian dubh is a dummy with a cairngorm set in pewter. I don't do hats. What about the hose?

Had I found them before now, I'd have ordered a pair of custom Argyll hose from Skye Highland Outfitters. (In fact, I'm going to contact them just in case they can make them so quickly.) More casually, I wear the loden green or St. Andrews blue Lewis hose I got from the Scottish Tartans Museum. I mix and match with dark gold, maroon, loden, and blue garter ties or flashes. I also have the Lewis hose in black, and I have tartan flashes. I don't think I can bring myself to wear blue hose with a black jacket. The loden is a maybe, and the black would be fine. But... solid ties/flashes or tartan? Suggestions please!

Also... am I missing anything?

[Jock Scot]

Alright, you can go with what you have and you will not be far out. I could suggest this, that ,or, the other, but that will bring a furore from others that like this, dislike that,hate it all and on, and on, and on, and on it goes for pages and pages. Stick with what you have and then adjust your kit as you gain confidence and experience. Have fun!

[NorCalPiper]

Hi Sean-
PM sent with my info-Calling you now!

[SFCRick]

A pocket watch & chain?

[ForresterModern]

A beautiful woman hanging from your left arm so no one will notice any minor faults in your outfit.

[McMurdo]

It sounds good to me, I trust the bow tie is a self tie? As to the hose I'd go for one of the pair that you have and would think about wearing the Loden Green, or Black, though some will say Black is for Funerals. I'd say solid garter ties instead of tartan flashes.

[BobsYourUncle]

I agree with Jock Scott--you can go with what you have, and be well turned out. Rome wasn't built in a day, and one shouldn't expect to have the 'compleat' set of kit all in one go. However, you seem as though you are a bit concerned about your hose--by all means follow through with your order for the hand knit hose, but one possible solution for opening night could be to order machine knit diced hose from J. Higgins--I'm sure they could get them to you in time, and last time I checked were about $60. Of course, you would have to choose between red and white dicing or black and red. Either would be perfectly appropriate with your other kit, and are appropriate for this level of formality. Regards...

[macwilkin]

I agree with Jock Scott--you can go with what you have, and be well turned out. Rome wasn't built in a day, and one shouldn't expect to have the 'compleat' set of kit all in one go. However, you seem as though you are a bit concerned about your hose--by all means follow through with your order for the hand knit hose, but one possible solution for opening night could be to order machine knit diced hose from J. Higgins--I'm sure they could get them to you in time, and last time I checked were about $60. Of course, you would have to choose between red and white dicing or black and red. Either would be perfectly appropriate with your other kit, and are appropriate for this level of formality. Regards...

Caveat Emptor with the J. Higgins hose -- Better to go with NorCalPiper or Matt Newsome at the Tartans Museum Gift Shop.

T.

[McMurdo]

I'm not sure that J.Higgins even offers the hose anymore. Caveat Emptor indeed.

[Wompet]

I'm having trouble picturing the tartan you named, so I'll leave hose suggestions to others, but -

... an Oconee Leather Works sporran strap that matches my shoes ...

For formal occasions, a sporran chain really should be worn.