Cheap formal wear?

[Mark Keeney]

I just finished reading this thread "uber formal on the cheap: dollar by dollar" and I couldn't help but think "why?"

**disclaimer - I am just interested in a discussion and I am no way discounting or belittling the need or want for cheap formal wear**

Cheap formal wear may be an oxymoron. If it is formal wear you should feel regal and dressed to impress. If you are using a waiters jacket or even a converted waiters jacket aren't you just posing in a costume? I remember in school in music class we teased mercilessly a boy who had a violin from Sears and Roebuck because it was just posing as a serious instrument.

Do you really fit in if you are in a waiters tux or are you just wearing a costume to pretend to fit in? Do you worry someone will know and not accept your formal wear as real formal wear even if no one mentions it? Something like "Poor guy he can't afford a real kilt jacket."

I work hard to wear my kilts so that they aren't costumes and in my mind a sportkilt or my PV USA kilt won't cut it for dress occasions because it isn't a tank. I love my USA kilt and wear it with a sweater or oxford shirt and maybe even a tie but it isn't one of my tanks and I don't pretend it is.

I don't intend this to be a condemnation of anyone who wears the other kinds of jackets and the like, I just want to start a discussion and see if what I think has any basis at all.

[cavscout]

Basically, you work with what you have.

Would you mock the guy at church who isn't wearing a $500 dollar suit.

If someone can afford to shell out thousands of dollars for a complete outfit great for them. But to belittle someone who cannot is not a good thing.

The real intent of formal wear is for the person to show that they respect and appreciate the event enough to put on their best. Whether that best is bought new from a retail store or second hand from a thrift shop, the person has made the effort to wear their best and most appropriate clothing for the event.

[bikeolounger]

I second that, Cavscout!

What is important to me is not the outer shell but the inner person. Many times, that inner person cannot justify owning a "tank" and full PC regalia, but still wants to be part of the gathering.

[Mark Keeney]

I second that, Cavscout!

What is important to me is not the outer shell but the inner person. Many times, that inner person cannot justify owning a "tank" and full PC regalia, but still wants to be part of the gathering.

I totally agree, but isn't that where rental comes into play?

[pipesndrumsnun]

Dude,
Vow of poverty = cash flow problem!!

[bikeolounger]

Rental has its place, but ill-fitting rental looks even worse than inexpensive.

Besides, I've yet to see a rental kilt in my tartan, but then I haven't looked very hard.

I've been watching for a reasonably-priced kilt in Armstrong, but the best I can find is either from Freedom Kilts or Matt Newsome, either of which cost about twice what I can justify right now. Maybe next year.

And yes, working in social services means I don't make tons of money...

[Mark Keeney]

Dude,
Vow of poverty = cash flow problem!!

The be clean and neat and just wear your best. I don't judge others.

[Amoskeag]

Dude,
Vow of poverty = cash flow problem!!

Amen to that Good for you! Sister

[auld argonian]

Having been schooled in my youth by one of Marshall Field's best tailors, both my brother and I can tell a cheap suit a mile away (we wince when we watch "Frasier" because we WERE the young Frasier and Niles...blame my mom). My experience, however, has been that most people at a formal event that isn't a Burn's Nicht are so blown away by the kilt that they don't spend much time worrying about whether the jacket is wool or polyester.

I've followed all of the threads about formal-on-the-cheap and applaud the enterprise and ingenuity of the Xmarksers who've managed to put together some very respectable looks without having to take out a second mortgage.

I understand that you're not ragging on the folks who take this approach and are just curious about what their rationale is for not buying the premium stuff or renting. I think that:

1) It's something that they're maybe not going to use all that often and can't justify the expense.

2) They appreciate the challenge of pulling a great look out of humble materials.

3) They just don't have access to a rental place in their area. (Around here there's just one and I have it on good authority that anything that you rent from it smells like cigarette smoke because the owner smokes like a chimney.)

4) ...and, of course, you also have the possibility that we are just a huge bunch of pathologically cheap and penurious bastards who can squeeze a nickel so hard that the Indian cries and the buffalo on the back side farts.

Best

AA

[fluter]

What is important to me is not the outer shell but the inner person.

Full marks to bikeolounger. The important part of the equation is attitude. The hypothetical kiltie is showing appropriate respect for the occasion.

I totally agree, but isn't that where rental comes into play?

Mark, let's suppose that your poor-but-honest kilt wearer could afford to rent a kilt and PC 2 or 3 times a year. I submit that it would be criminal to do so: he should put that hard-earned cash into the kilt fund, and in 3 years he'll have a tank nicer than yours.

Would you (mentally, internally) put down someone who wore a business suit to a black-tie event, because that's what he owns? Don't say it aloud in my presence, or I'll show you some attitude... Yes, it's a trick question.