Madrigal dinner

[toadinakilt]

Okay, so. Here at the college we have a Madrigal Dinner every Christmas, a very big deal too. Lots of people show up in tuxes, some in suits, EVERY man wears a tie and coat at least, and some select people who know where it's at show up in Prince Charlie's and kilts. Oh yeah.

SO now my series of questions.

The only kilt I have that I can wear is my SWK Black Shadow. A great looking kilt, to be sure, but I'm not sure of how to dress it up.

I have a tux shirt, black bow tie, black dress shoes, and off-white hose from SWK. I was wondering about flashes, fly plaid, etc. I see no way of getting hold of a jacket or waist coat; I just don't have the funds to even rent one.

I'd like to introduce a bit of color. Would it be acceptable to wear a fly plaid of a subdued and/or dark solid color, like green or blue, and wear flashes to match? Would that look odd with a black kilt? Should I try and match the bow tie as well?

What if the fly plaid was a really large on that draped a bunch in the back, sort of like a cape off one shoulder?

I'm fishing for neat ideas here, because putting together even a semblance of your standard Prince Charlie outfit is probably out of the question. I know I'll look fine against anybody wearing p*nts, and I'm not expecting snobbery from the few who show up in PC's, but I don't want to look bland. It is a BLACK kilt, after all, and without color I'm afraid it will look too 1930's filimish

So. Thoughts? Questions? Concerns? Snide remarks?

Oh. And has anybody seen Dreadbelly lately? I lost track of the post about his legal battles...does anybody know what happened to him?

[Blu (Ontario)]

What's the deadline??

[toadinakilt]

I have about 2 weeks...maybe 2 and a half. If I start working now, I can come up with a good ensemble to wear, but remember, I'm really short on the dough right now. I'm not sure I can justify spending more than like $20.

[toadinakilt]

Come on guys, this thread has been viewed like 50 times and only Blu has responded! I know you guys are creative...help me out!!!

Hamish? Graham? Anybody?

[Hamish]

Sorry, TiaK, but I really do not think you should be considering a fly-plaid if you are not wearing a jacket; it just will not look right. Also, the fly-plaid is traditionally in the identical tartan to the kilt and, I think that if you wear one that is different on this occasion, especially a plain one, you will be in great danger of having it taken for a shawl!!

A black kilt, shiny dress shoes and bow-tie, worn with a white dress shirt and off-white hose is 'classic'. If I were you, and a black jacket (Prince Charlie or Crail) is out of the question, then I'd leave it at that. An ordinary waist-coat worn without a jacket is far too casual for this event and, I think, looks as if you have lost your jacket somewhere. A potaine waist-coat would be acceptable, but you need a Jacobean shirt for that!

No. My advice: stick with what you have (as long as you'll be warm enough!)

[auld argonian]

I would even inquire at any "regular" formalwear rental emporiums nearby...you never know what they have on hand and you may find a jacket that's cut short enough that it will pass for a kilt jacket or at least look good enough to carry you through the event.

Buddy of mine found a vintage 30's tux at his rental place and after he rented it several times they just turned around and sold it to him for next to nothing...figured he was the only one who wanted it anyway...

Maybe you'll get lucky.

And bravo for wanting to "kilt it" for this big event!

best

AA

[Archangel]

Hamish is spot on. It's the Cool Hand Luke thing: man's got to know his limitation.
You can check out the thrift shops for a jacket but don't be desparate. If it's not short, bum-freezer, with round front over the sporran, don't buy it.

Remember a kilt takes less to dress up than anything else, so think more minimally. If you've got a tie with a light-weight v-neck, you might even be able to carry it off.

I really think you've got enough there now.

[cavscout]

There are those here who will say a white jacket would be wrong but you may consider it

http://cgi.ebay.com/USNAVY-DRESS-MES...QQcmdZViewItem

I like the classic look of a white jacket with black pants. I think it might work for a kilt.

[Tiran]

What's wrong with 30's filmish? It is a classic look that has stood the test of time, or you would remember it 70 odd years later. Besides, its a look that evokes (at least subconsiously) the idea of a gentleman. Always a good note to play. Go classy, go minimal, and you will be just fine.

[Sherry]

We were waiting on Hamish to beg you not to wear a fly plaid without a formal jacket.

You really need to be creative with searching out options for formal wear.

No, no, no, to the white jacket. Even if it did look good with a kilt (& the consensus is that it does not), it is for summer wear. And even in Texas it's starting to feel like fall.

Sherry