How to Complete this Outfit?

**CMcG** · 29th March 11, 01:52 PM

I'm working on putting together a rather special outfit that delves deeper in tartan territory than I have thus far dared to tread...

I picked up this kilt and matching vest off eBay a while ago but have yet to wear them together in public. They also came with a matching four-in-hand tie, all in the MacQuarrie Modern tartan. Then davidlpope kindly sent me the green and red diced hose to make, as he put it, a "vibrant" look with the MacQuarrie kilt.

On another thread where I asked people to help me with formality, there was some discussion about this kilt and waistcoat combo but it was left incomplete. And that was before davidlpope's generous donation!

Given that the vest is cut rather high and I don't have a doublet of any sort, in what ways could I best finish this outfit? Here's what I've got:

Tie: four-in-hand (tartan, solid colour, or striped), black bow, or white stock?

Shirt: tattersal or solid colour; white, smooth front (hidden buttons), wing collar; or white, pleated front, fold-down collar?

Shoes: brogues or cap-toe oxfords (both black)?

Sporran: studded leather hunting-style; three tassel, metal cantle with fur, or metal cantle with horsehair?

Here is a picture of the parts I've already selected. As the rabble chimes in, I'll see about posting pics of how their suggestions would look.

**Downunder Kilt** · 29th March 11, 02:14 PM

For a back tie event, I'd go for a marcella fronted shirt with fold down collar, black bow tie, studs and cufflinks to match. Black oxfords polished to within an inch of their lives. I'm half and half about the diced hose as I am seeing the red from tip to toe and it maybe too much, then on a 3rd and 4th look, you could pull it off

**artificer** · 29th March 11, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

For a back tie event, I'd go for a marcella fronted shirt with fold down collar, black bow tie, studs and cufflinks to match. Black oxfords polished to within an inch of their lives.

This ***.

**MacLowlife** · 29th March 11, 03:56 PM

The depth of the gorge of formal vests has not ALWAYS been low. Granted, it was low in the golden age of modern formal wear, but there have been two waves of high cut black tie vests since WWII. (and substantial periods in earlier centuries when high cut vests were the norm)

I do prefer a lower gorge for black tie, but I expect your vest will look great with a bow tie. If you aren't convinced, look for pictures of men in 3 piece (daywear) suits with bow ties. Those vests are almost always of the higher variety.

How is your vest bottom when worn over the kilt?

Too bad you aren't yet knighted- I suspect that is how The McGregor gets his medal.

**CMcG** · 29th March 11, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

The depth of the gorge of formal vests has not ALWAYS been low. Granted, it was low in the golden age of modern formal wear, but there have been two waves of high cut black tie vests since WWII. (and substantial periods in earlier centuries when high cut vests were the norm)

I do prefer a lower gorge for black tie, but I expect your vest will look great with a bow tie. If you aren't convinced, look for pictures of men in 3 piece (daywear) suits with bow ties. Those vests are almost always of the higher variety.

How is your vest bottom when worn over the kilt?

Too bad you aren't yet knighted- I suspect that is how The McGregor gets his medal.

Good eye on the vest bottom M'LL. It is a tad long and causes me to wear my sporran a little lower to compensate. I have considered turning the peaks under, pinning them, and ironing the fold flat to see if looks good enough to take to a tailor for a more permanent solution.

As for the gorge of my vest, I did some Google image searching. I will definitely try out the black bow tie but the examples I found of high cut tartan waistcoats worn with kilts all have either cravats or long ties:

Fellow Xmarker M.A.C. Newsome:

Actor Allan Cumming (I believe he wore this outfit when he received the Order of the British Empire)

Absentee Xmarker Paul:

From the Clan Grant Society US website:

And from the Pride of Scotland website, a model wearing a ruche tie which we shall now ignore

**svc40bt** · 29th March 11, 05:00 PM

I suggest the pleated front fold-down collar shirt, black studs, black bow tie, black cap toes, and either the fur or hair sporran.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 29th March 11, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

This may come as a bit of a shock to some of you out there, but (ignoring the Docs, tolerating the sporran, and being slightly disappointed by the length of the jacket) I think this is an absolutely smashing outfit, and in the best possible taste for day wear or dressy evening wear. It doesn't quite work for formal evening attire due to the super-abundance of tartan, and the boxy (and slightly too long) cut of the jacket. However, a three-button waistcoat would lessen the tartan "shock and awe" and help it make the transition to formal Highland evening attire, although this might tend to emphasize the boxy look of the jacket.

A solid "10" for day/evening wear, but only an "7.5" (with a three-button waistcoat) as formal attire.

From the OMG! Book of What Not to Wear:

Sorry, but this is just... unfortunate. The skinny, "Frank and the Rat Pack" tie is totally wrong (as is the wimpy looking wing collar). A Sheriffmuir, with its very high waistcoat, especially when it is in tartan cut on the bias--which looks smashing-- is strictly a formal evening wear jacket, and as such only looks its best if worn with a jabot or stock, as was intended by the designer who popularized this style of jacket about forty years ago. The fact that the jacket is about two sizes too large (look at the length of the sleeves!) doesn't help, nor does the blinding white sporran; against a dark tartan anything this bright becomes the total focus of attention (which, considering the tie may be no bad thing).

A big "0" , a total Goose Egg, for day wear, the Sheriffmuir is always a "10" when it comes to formal attire, especially when worn with a tartan waistcoat cut on the bias; but as seen above it struggles to score a measly "4.5".

Like I said... the best of times, and the worst of times. Or should that be ties?

**azwildcat96** · 29th March 11, 02:19 PM

Sorry...I can't be of much help. To my eyes, that is way too much tartan on one person at one time.

**Spartan Tartan** · 29th March 11, 02:26 PM

I can't make any suggestions, but I am VERY interested to see what you end up deciding on.

**Lyle1** · 29th March 11, 02:32 PM

I would not wear the tartan tie; with that much tartan, everything (kilt, vest, and tie) would all blend together, and nothing would stand out on its own. I don't know about a solid bow tie with the vest being cut that high, but try it and see what you think.

In the other thread that you linked to, I liked the second view ('Irish Twist'). I could not really see what you were wearing at your neck, but it had a softer look than you could get with a tie, and that might be what you need with that vest.