Christmas Gift to Myself: A Full Formal

**TandemGeek** · 27th December 16, 06:08 AM

Having experimented with wearing my black & olive drab utility kilts and tartans as casual weekend attire with sweaters and boot socks pushed down on work boots for the past couple months, I decided to go all in with a formal kilt to replace my tuxedos at holiday black tie events this year. This also gave me the opportunity to acquire a kilt and plaid in my family (Wallace) tartan, in addition to the McDonald and Black Watch that I picked up as starter kilts.

The photos are not all that great as they were taken 'round midnight on Christmas with a phone camera on my first trial fitting of the entire kit. The fly plaid was clearly too low in the front and I'm still experimenting with the various different ways of folding and or gathering the plaid to find the right fit for my somewhat small frame: not a lot of real estate there to work with.

Anyway, I hope to have it sorted before our New Years party this coming Saturday when I'll debut it in public. That said, I did get a lot of positive feedback from friends on the trial wearing photos that were posted to Facebook.

**Mike in Dayton** · 27th December 16, 09:02 AM

Welcome to the group.

I did not see the pictures. There is an FAQ on posting photos:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...s_faq_pictures

**TandemGeek** · 27th December 16, 12:46 PM

Fixed... now with embedded links to source files elsewhere.

**Grizzled Ian** · 27th December 16, 02:59 PM

Isn't it grand to wear a kilt at Christmas: I wore my Duke of Fife to midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

I will anticipate Jock Scott with this comment, that we need to see your knees. It could be parallax that hides yours from view, or you may be making your own choice about the following levels. In the opinion of many, the most aesthetically pleasing effect is achieved with the hem of the kilt at the top of the patella, and the top of the hose no higher than a couple of finger-widths below.

But what a fine Christmas gift, well chosen, I wish you many years of enjoyable wearing.

**TandemGeek** · 27th December 16, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Grizzled Ian

...that we need to see your knees. It could be parallax that hides yours from view,

Appreciate the feedback and yes, it was the camera angle that makes the kilt look longer than it is and the hose a bit higher than they are in true view.

My kilts generally fall at the center of my kneecap when worn at the true waist, although I have one tartan kilt that's a bit shorter but I that I wear at my jean waist.

The hose have been a bit of a challenge in that I like to wear thicker Merino wool blend socks and most of what I'm finding in the hose are synthetic blends or wool but all quite thin. Getting them in the right height adds yet another factor in correct sizing when the tops have a clearly defined weave that makes the fold-over look odd when I adjust for the proper height. Perhaps 3rd time will be the charm.

**McMurdo** · 27th December 16, 04:42 PM

Great first effort, a few little tweaks should bring the outfit to the next level. If it were me I would leave the fly plaid at home, bring the hose down a touch and the kilt up, show some knee. Also if wearing the Prince Charlie with the waistcoat, there is no need for the belt and it tends to make the waistcoat lay funny. I would suggest looking at this thread.

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

**Profane James** · 27th December 16, 07:05 PM

Hose are difficult for me as well - thin legs. The only style with thickness to my liking (VERY thick) are Rocky's 'hand knit hose', but are only available in a few colors. Anyone know of this style available anywhere else? Other than custom?

**TandemGeek** · 27th December 16, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

If it were me I would leave the fly plaid at home, bring the hose down a touch and the kilt up, show some knee. Also if wearing the Prince Charlie with the waistcoat, there is no need for the belt and it tends to make the waistcoat lay funny.

Appreciate the constructive feedback.

As for the fly plaid, my dear wife was the advocate so I'll likely indulge her desires and wear for the early part of the evening on New Years; however, it will definitely be put aside once dancing begins in earnest for practical reasons. ;)

The kilt length is probably correct per feedback from the group but not well illustrated with the photos. However, the hose as worn that evening were too high... so that will definitely be corrected.

I also appreciate the suggestion on going without the belt. In doing my homework and looking at various photos of folks dressed for black tie events it appeared that 1/2 were wearing a belt with the jacket/vest while the other 1/2 did not. I included in on my trial fitting "because it was there". However, based on your suggestion I will likely go without the belt as I would agree that it does interfere with the lay of the waistcoat and, well, adds more bling where no additional bling is needed.

Cheers!

**McMurdo** · 28th December 16, 06:59 AM

It sounds like a good idea to go with the fly plaid at least for the first wear. The outfit does look good and you would be at home in any number of events wearing it the way you've got it. Wear it well.

**Tarheel** · 28th December 16, 04:30 PM

With the fly plaid I would shorten the amount of length of the flashes. Leave about an inch and half below the bottom of the hose fold. You might want to pull them a bit more toward the front of your leg also. That would position them in the two o'clock place of the right leg and ten o'clock for the left leg.

I like the over-all look and would be comfortable in the same outfit.