Graduation Attire Advice Please

**O'Neille** · 2nd August 06, 11:11 PM

O.K., I've got my doctoral graduation on Saturday the 5th of August. The previously un-kilt-educated O'Neille would not have had this resource or expertise to draw upon. I have a "Dressy", that's what it says on the information, graduation dinner on Friday the 4th. Probably close to 500 people in attendance (just a guess). Drinks are 6-7 and dinner and an alumni presentation are 7-10 pm. I also have graduation Photos earlier that day with a long break before dinner. On Saturday at 10 a.m. I have graduation. I need advice on appropriate attire for the three events; pictures, dinner, and graduation. One Restriction is dark colors for all visible clothing for graduation. Also it will be hot in Mesa AZ if not pouring rain.

I have the following "nice" items to choose from in my wardrobe:

1. Prince Charlie (black)
2. Matching PC waistcoat (batwing shirt and bow tie of course)
4. Knotwork cuff links.
3. Hunting Stewart 6yd med wt 13 oz.
4. Black Watch 8 yd 16 oz.
5. Cameron of Erracht 8yd 16-18 oz.
6. Grey Crail Jacket (has button chain to add some dressiness)
7. Brown leather waistcoat
8. Trews
9. Formal black belt, Less formal (no kilt buckle) Brown with matching sporran straps for all
10. Formal off white rabbit and silver sporran (nice leather and chain strap)
11. Black leather standard 3 tassle sporran and Irish harp slightly dressier with silver and knotwork.
12. Alligator Sporran .
13. Off White, Bottle Green, and Olive Drab Hose
14. Green Flashes
15. Red Flashes
16. Gillie Brogues
17. Black cap toe Brogues
18. Brown cap toe Brogues
19. Various dress shirts and one bottle green and one black wool self color tie.

I will be representing all kilt wearers if I turn out to be the only one so please make your recommendtions. Specifically is it o.k. to wear a P.C. with dark hose in the daytime for an event such as a graduation, or no, go with day wear and use the P.C. at dinner the night before. All comments and suggestions will be appreciated. O'Neille

**Moose McLennan** · 3rd August 06, 12:29 AM

Congratulations. Wow, if I only had that kind of wardrobe to choose from!

Definitely the full PC rig in the evening with bow-tie, ghillies and off-white hose. Very sharp.

Personally, I'd wear the crail and a regular shirt and tie during the day and for the pics, avoiding brown, and with the brogues. The photos might look just a little too like wedding shots if you were wearing "the works".

[actually, I think I now see your point about the PC/dark clothing for graduation. Maybe you could don the PC gear and off-white hose just for the official pic during the day. The full rig with waistcoat and Prince Charlies is extremely warm as you will know. I'd make use of the luxury of owning nice daywear whatever.]

But most of all enjoy yourself.

M.

**Kilted KT** · 3rd August 06, 05:31 AM

Looks like you've got quite a selection to choose from. Best advice I can give: wear what you are most comfortable in. simple as that. You are graduating. Enjoy it, don't wear something you are not comfortable in.

**ozmeath** · 3rd August 06, 07:51 AM

That IS a good selection, congrats on the graduation O'Neille.
There's a few combo's there that I like but the main thing is that you have a black or a grey jacket to match to. How does the Cameron of E or the Hunting Stewart go with the Prince Charlie jacket and vest? There such good looking tartans (not sure which stewart you have but they're all strong). The rabbit sporran, black belt, off white shirt, off white hose but not sure what flashes. The black brogues of course.
It's like looking at a menu then not eating anything...
Hope it goes well O'Neille.
Erin

**Colin** · 3rd August 06, 09:03 AM

For the day time events wear the Grey Crail Jacket, Hunting Stewart 6yd med wt 13 oz, Black leather standard 3 tassle sporran, possibly with the bottle green hose and the bottle green wool tie.

For the "dressy" evening events, go for the Prince Charlie,Matching PC waistcoat (batwing shirt and bow tie of course), Knotwork cuff links, Cameron of Erracht 8yd 16-18 oz, Formal black belt, Formal off white rabbit and silver sporran, Off White hose, Red Flashes, and Ghillie Brogues

Just my 2 cents.

**HeathBar** · 3rd August 06, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by Colin

For the day time events wear the Grey Crail Jacket, Hunting Stewart 6yd med wt 13 oz, Black leather standard 3 tassle sporran, possibly with the bottle green hose and the bottle green wool tie.

For the "dressy" evening events, go for the Prince Charlie,Matching PC waistcoat (batwing shirt and bow tie of course), Knotwork cuff links, Cameron of Erracht 8yd 16-18 oz, Formal black belt, Formal off white rabbit and silver sporran, Off White hose, Red Flashes, and Ghillie Brogues

Just my 2 cents.

I like this combo. The only change I would make would be to leave off the formal belt with the PC outfit. Your waistcoat would cover it up. And if your kilt fits properly, you shouldn't need a belt to hold it up.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 3rd August 06, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Colin

For the day time events wear the Grey Crail Jacket, Hunting Stewart 6yd med wt 13 oz, Black leather standard 3 tassle sporran, possibly with the bottle green hose and the bottle green wool tie.

For the "dressy" evening events, go for the Prince Charlie,Matching PC waistcoat (batwing shirt and bow tie of course), Knotwork cuff links, Cameron of Erracht 8yd 16-18 oz, Formal off white rabbit and silver sporran, Off White hose, Red Flashes, and Ghillie Brogues

Just my 2 cents.

That sound's like a winner. I wish I had that day wear rig! I need some stuff in bottle green and a crail jacket.

**starbkjrus** · 3rd August 06, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by Colin

For the day time events wear the Grey Crail Jacket, Hunting Stewart 6yd med wt 13 oz, Black leather standard 3 tassle sporran, possibly with the bottle green hose and the bottle green wool tie.

For the "dressy" evening events, go for the Prince Charlie,Matching PC waistcoat (batwing shirt and bow tie of course), Knotwork cuff links, Cameron of Erracht 8yd 16-18 oz, Formal off white rabbit and silver sporran, Off White hose, Red Flashes, and Ghillie Brogues

Just my 2 cents.

I agree with Colin and Heathbar. I especially like the Cameron of Erracht colors for formal wear.

**O'Neille** · 4th August 06, 12:34 AM

Thanks for all of the advice. I've decided on the OD hose, Cameron of E kilt, crail jacket, White shirt, Bottle green wool tie, and gillies for the day of running around. For evening I am going to do the full PC rig with my new black watch heavyweight from SWK. For graduation I will substitute the bottle green hose because dark colors are required for everything that shows out of the robes. I'm wearing it right now and boy does it look good. Thanks again, O'Neille

**Riverkilt** · 5th August 06, 04:19 PM

Congratulations! I'm sure it went well. So very pleased you participated in the graduation ceremonies....to honor your academic achievements.

Spent many years in the cap and gown and hood business and am still thrilled by Pomp & Circumstance and the academic regalia of the faculty.

Don't know if your discipline brings you to other graduation ceremonies later but if it does, hope you can hold back a few bucks and buy yourself a doctoral robe and hood for your degree and school to wear in the coming years.

Adds so much to the pagentry of graduation.

Ron