Jacket advice

**Silent Raven** · 7th June 11, 02:11 PM

ok so I am planning on having a kilted wedding, where myself and my groomsman will all be wearing kilts and all males in attendance may wear a kilt if so desired. now those in the wedding party will be wearing prince charlies, as it is an evening wedding. but my question is for my father, now he will also be wearing a kilt, but im wondering which type of jacket he should wear. now i know under normal circumstances with it being an evening wedding he should probably go with the PC.

But here is my dilemma... the brides father is not going to be wearing a kilt, as he would not feel comfortable (probably see its more as a dress than a kilt) and he will just be wearing a normal suit (sundays best). my question is should my father wear a argyle so as not to have him be more formal than the father of the bride? my father may also be wearing a different tartan than myself and the groomsman.

I will be wearing a MacPherson Dress Ancient, groomsman will be in black watch and dad will possibly be in royal stewart (or black watch)

**Father Bill** · 7th June 11, 02:19 PM

The good news is that a lot of people aren't able to make the comparison between highland and saxon orders of dress, so you'll get away with some dissonance. Blessings on your wedding!

**madmacs** · 7th June 11, 02:26 PM

I'd say if he's kilted and on the top table as parents usually are in my experience, then a PC wouldnt be wrong...

When my sister got married my father (a scot) didnt wear a kilt... most of the rest if the wedding party did... didnt seem anything unusual or out of place...

He ended up wearing a kilt and argyll to mine when i was wearing a kilt, plaid and jacobite shirt... he wasnt asked to wear a kilt, so it was pretty much his choice... I guess the general rule of matching formality (of the event) would be my guide... and either the PC or a black argyll sounds as though it would fit in...

**flyingshamrock** · 7th June 11, 03:52 PM

My father-in-law knew what his daugther was getting into when she accepted my hand in marriage. He always made his wise cracks about my "skirts" and when asked about donning one for the wedding he ecstatically declined. He wore his sunday's finest and my father wore his, a PC and his finest sporran.
I say your father should wear a PC...

**bigdad1** · 7th June 11, 04:00 PM

I think your father should be gussied up as much as possible. Just because the brides father doesn't want to be kilted doesn't mean your father shouldn't be top of the line. Let him shine to his hearts content. Whatever that means is what he should wear.

**Silent Raven** · 7th June 11, 04:19 PM

All very valid points, my worry is that my soon to be father-in-law is some what of a fragile man and i could see him being slightly offended or insulted that my father was more dapper than he.

also props to Father Bill for teaching me a new word "dissonance"

Originally Posted by Father Bill

The good news is that a lot of people aren't able to make the comparison between highland and saxon orders of dress, so you'll get away with some dissonance. Blessings on your wedding!

**Lyle1** · 7th June 11, 05:35 PM

Let your father decide what he wants to wear. If the bride's father is wearing a tux, you father should wear black tie, too, but either jacket would be appropriate. Your father does not need to blend in with the groomsmen, but if the bride's father wears a suite, your father might wear an argyll jacket with a four-in-hand tie to be more on the same level of dress, but it should really be his choice if he has a preference.

**FatherWilliam57** · 7th June 11, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Silent Raven

But here is my dilemma... the brides father is not going to be wearing a kilt, as he would not feel comfortable (probably see its more as a dress than a kilt) and he will just be wearing a normal suit (sundays best).

I believe you answered your own question when you stated the perceived dilemma: Your future father-in-law will be most comfortable in a suit. Your father sounds as though he will be most comfortable ina kilt. Both will be comfortable and (I assume) have a good time. You have satisfied all the requirements of a good host for two of the most important guests at your wedding! God's blessings on you and your bride-to-be!

**Spartan Tartan** · 7th June 11, 06:41 PM

I'd recommend an argyle, but really whatever makes your dad more comfortable.

**JSFMACLJR** · 7th June 11, 06:54 PM

Usually the parents of the bride are the hosts, and determine dress, no? It would be in poor taste to "out-dress" the host.

That being said, I really don't know why so many of you obsess over dress to weddings. It's all very simple, and there have been countless threads discussing this. The search option is very helpful. It's all quite simple, really. If the wedding takes place in the evening after 1800h, and it has been determined that the wedding is a "formal" wedding, then normally the groom, best man and groomsmen wear white tie. The fathers should dress in this manner, too. For kilt wearers, there are a number of jacket options. A Prince Charlie coatee is usually not considered appropriate for white tie, but nonetheless is worn by many.

The next level of formality is a "semi-formal" wedding. Groom, best man, and groomsmen wear dinner jackets ( black tie; "tuxes" ). The fathers can wear dinner jackets, or dark suits. Kilt wearers can wear once again almost any style of evening doublet. No need for matching! A "regulation style" doublet would be an ideal choice.

It's a shame that people don't know what to wear these days and worry themselves silly and fail to appreciate the event for what it really should be: less of a fashion show, and more of a celebration among friends and family.