Event this Saturday... What to wear?

**Clockwork John** · 15th February 08, 08:19 AM

I've been invited to a party at a place called the Magic Castle( http://www.magiccastle.com/)this Saturday, and I can't decide what to wear... Here's the dress code for men:

Men must be in coat and tie (standard or bow tie)
Exceptions to the "tie rule" are: turtlenecks, bolo ties, ascots, jeweled collars, ruffled collars and banded collars.
Military Dress, ethnic and/or religious attire will also be allowed.
Men must be in coat and tie (standard or bow tie)
No zippered jackets, outdoor jackets, polo shirts, t-shirts, denim (or colored denim), shorts, sandals, flip flops, sneakers or sneaker-like shoes are allowed.
Leather jackets (with buttons) and leather pants are allowed.
No casual attire will be allowed. Think business attire!

I just bought a black Argyle and waistcoat for this event, but I can't decide which kilt to wear. Here are the two I'm torn between:

Black Watch- Canadian military issue, very heavy
or
Campbell of Argyll- viscose/acetate, fewer pleats, but still pretty classy.
I have a matching tie for this one.

So, do I wear the Black Watch with a black tie, or the Campbell of Argyll with matching tie(or with the black tie)?

Also, should I wear black hose or off white?

I should probably mention that this is an 11:00 brunch, so it is a daywear event.

This will be my first non-casual kilted outing, so I want to make sure I dress appropriately.

Thanks in advance for all your suggestions.

**northernsky** · 15th February 08, 08:22 AM

I'd go with the Black Watch and Black Tie. A classy outfit is never a miss (except may at a beach party or bbq).

**Clockwork John** · 15th February 08, 08:33 AM

Thanks for your feedback, northernsky. Would you recommend black hose or off white?

**Tartan Hiker** · 15th February 08, 09:14 AM

Consider the venue and the activities planned. If you are inside and sitting for long periods the BW may get pretty toasty. The lighter kilt may be more comfortable in that instance. If there will be lots of standing around, schmoozing, etc., the BW may be just fine.

Do you have flashes? White hose without flashes would be a lot of white. Ghillie brogues with tall laces would also be very desirable to break up the white. (I've always avoided white not because of objections to the "kilt hire" business but because of the "school girl uniform" issue. Personally, I'd be real uncomfortable with white hose without flashes or ghillie laces)

If I didn't have these accessories yet, I'd go with the black. Properly accessorized, white hose and white shirt would be fine.

**Tartan Hiker** · 15th February 08, 09:19 AM

And regarding the tie, is your waistcoat a "formal", low-cut two or three-button affair or is it a fuller 5 or 6-button vest? If you wear the Campbell with a low-cut formal vest stick with the black tie. If your vest buttons higher, the tartan tie would work fine.

**Clockwork John** · 15th February 08, 09:41 AM

The only flashes I have are dark blue, but they match either tartan.

I don't have ghillie brogues. I'm planning on wearing black wing tips/brogues.

I'm leaning toward the black hose because I'm not too keen on the look of a white shirt with off white hose.

The vest that I have is a five button and it matches the Argyle jacket.

From what I can tell, the event is going to be roughly equal parts sitting, walking, and standing, all indoors.

**turpin** · 15th February 08, 12:50 PM

Black hose may seem a bit too funereal, unless you dispense with the vest and wear your belt instead. On the other hand, if it gets too warm indoors you may want to doff your jacket, and then a vest looks better than just a shirt.

Decisions, Decisions. It was so much easier BK (before kilts).

**Clockwork John** · 15th February 08, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by turpin

Black hose may seem a bit too funereal, unless you dispense with the vest and wear your belt instead. On the other hand, if it gets too warm indoors you may want to doff your jacket, and then a vest looks better than just a shirt.

That's part of the reason I was leaning toward the Campbell of Argyll with the matching tartan tie. It would add a little color, and look less funereal.

Originally Posted by turpin

Decisions, Decisions. It was so much easier BK (before kilts).

Seriously... I'd just throw on a suit and go, which was easy becase I only own one suit.

**auld argonian** · 15th February 08, 02:33 PM

Re the idea of the black being too severe, that's where a dark or medium charcoal grey would come in very handy. It'd still coordinate but be a bit lighter.

Now where does one find such kilt hose? The standard issue seems to be black, navy, bottle green, Lovatt Green, Lovatt blue, maybe a beige, cream and stark white.

Best

AA