Review My Attire (Black Tie)

**artificer** · 2nd November 10, 01:57 PM

As some may know, I'll be headed to my first Tartan Ball shortly, and have finally assembled my outfit. I formally submit it to the rabble for critique.

I'm wearing my Argyll jacket, and have purchased a 3 button waistcoat to go with it and bump it up in terms of formality.

Shirt is a plain fronted pique with turn down collar.

Tie is black silk (and self tied). Studs and cuff links are silver knots.

Sporran is skunk - and the sibling to the one I made HERE for ShaunMaxwell. I know most here would prefer to see a metal cantle, but I can't abide stamped/chromed pieces, and there are no pewter ones I like until I have time to start casting my own.

The kilt pin is a small silver penannular I picked up on eBay

Hose are actually navy, but read as black in the pic. Red garter ties.

Shoes are toe capped Oxfords, which still need a mirror polish before the big 'do'. I just want to break them in a bit more first.

Everything will need a final press or steam before the big day.

The only thing I don't have in the shot is a linen handkerchief in my breast pocket... I think my son may have them secreted away somewhere.

So, what does the rabble think.

As a note, I may switch kilts and go with the Wallace Red, in which case I'd probably go with the bottle green hose and red garters, but this is probably an outside chance.

**davidlpope** · 2nd November 10, 02:02 PM

Looks great! I really like the three-button waistcoat. Classy.

The only suggestion for the future I would make is to invest in a pair of Argyll or Diced hose (maybe you can work out a trade for a sporran?). If you went with Red/Black diced you could wear them for either the Wallace or the Baird kilt.

Have a great time!

David

**BoldHighlander** · 2nd November 10, 02:02 PM

Very nice Scott...bravo!

Personally, I can't find fault with your ensemble.
You wear it well my friend.

(...p.s. - stay w/ the kilt your wearing in the above photo )

**piperdbh** · 2nd November 10, 02:11 PM

I think it all looks fine, but I have two thoughts:
1) I prefer my kilt pin lower down on the apron, just because I think it draws more attention than if it's pinned high up, like you have it. However, if you like it pinned high, then pin it high.

2) I'd switch to red hose (just because I like red hose), and I think it would "bring out" the red stripe in the tartan.

If you keep everything the way it is, you'll still be the best-dressed patron of the ball.

**Whidbey78** · 2nd November 10, 02:21 PM

I can't find any fault with this at all...can't even say you should get a haircut.

The kilt pin could be a bit lower, but the pin itself is great.

You could option diced or argyle hose, or maybe hose tops, but what you have is outstanding! And bravo for the hose ties instead of flashes...very classy.

**CMcG** · 2nd November 10, 02:15 PM

I'm no expert, but from what I've gathered around the forum, you look correct and appropriate. What's more, you look good!

What about a sgian dubh? If you're wearing one, apologies because I can't see it.

**JSFMACLJR** · 2nd November 10, 02:15 PM

Perfect!

The only change I would recommend would be a pair of diced or tartan hose. While navy isn't black ( which I do not like ) it can look black under certain conditions.

I wish more people would wear black Argyll jackets in the evening instead of PC coatees. Well done for not going in that direction!

**BobsYourUncle** · 2nd November 10, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

Perfect!

The only change I would recommend would be a pair of diced or tartan hose. While navy isn't black ( which I do not like ) it can look black under certain conditions.

I wish more people would wear black Argyll jackets in the evening instead of PC coatees. Well done for not going in that direction!

*** Perfect, indeed. *** for black Argyll instead of PC coatee. I am a little more comfortable with your choice of Navy hose than Sandy, but his point is quite well taken. I further agree with the recommendations of the previous posters that you consider diced or tartan hose for the future. While hand knit will be your ultimate goal, J Higgins sells perfectly serviceable machine knit diced hose for $ 60, available here: http://www.jhiggins.net/sf_proddetai...39H51F6K1QVR78. My view is that the black and red are the most universally compatible...

While you consider the diced/tartan hose options, the outfit you have on is perfect as is, and you are good to go. You look smashing, and should stride forth proudly!

**artificer** · 3rd November 10, 02:37 AM

Thank you all so far.

It's good to see I'm mostly on the right track.

A few items that were mentioned:

Diced/Argyll/Tartan hose- I do plan to have a set of either Argyll or tartan hose made, but I'm waiting until I finish my tartan design and get it made into a kilt. They're just too expensive to be made for a kilt that I'm already almost too small for. (I'm on the last hole on both left and right straps).

Red hose- I just don't think it's quite within my comfort zone yet. The last time I wore red hose they had a shin guard in them for soccer

I do have bottle green, but I fear they would read just as dark as the navy, so it may be 6-of-1...

Sgian Dubh- no, I'm not wearing one, even though it would be perfectly appropriate for the event. I have one being crafted by our own Drac right now in a trade. I've never been swayed to buy a commonly available one. They tend to be too artificial for me with either plastic handles or blades that won't take an edge, or just too garish. I should have it ready for the Burn's Dinner in January

Kilt Pin placement- I'm still waffling a bit on placement, it may go a touch lower, but I generally like it a bit higher than seen on many.

The hunt for my linen pocket squares continues

To answer a few specific comments:
BLHS209- I'll probably be selling this one after St. Andrews Day, if you're interested. I made it specifically for this event.

McMathTX- I actually picked up the waistcoat on eBay HERE. They don't seem to have the waistcoats separately right now, but do have VERY nicely priced PC/WC sets.

beloitpiper- We'll definitely see you there

thescot-

I made the mistake, LONG ago, of polishing a pair of boots before they were broken in, and it was a colossal waste of effort. Ever since that time, I've ALWAYS broken things in first. I did go back and forth on the waistplate, even picked one up. After trying both looks I really liked the waistcoat better. I think it has to do with the starkness of the black/white contrast against the tartan and where the kilt lies on the waist. The waistcoat hides that line while the waistplate seems to make it the focus of the outfit. I'm still getting used to formal Higland dressing, and it's a LOT less slimming than my standard tux (shawl collar, one button jacket with cummerbund.) A lot of it is probably just comfort level.

This forum is such a fantastic wealth of knowledge and ideas.
Thanks to all who have commented and critiqued so far.

**YoungMan** · 2nd November 10, 02:21 PM

I'm a big fan of the argyll with waistcost for black tie events. To me it's a better equivalent of the American black tie tuxedo than a PC (which always seemed like a white tails equivalent.) Nothing overstated. James Bond from the waist up and Sean Connery from the waist down.

You could go the diced hose route if you wish, but it's something that's likely to draw more attention. You may or may not want to be conspicuous on this occassion.