What To Wear?

[LANCER1562]

On September 11 my church will be having a specisl service in rememberance and although I wear a kilt to Mass every Sunday, I am not sure which one would be most appropriate.

Here are my choices:

Kerr Modern (my family tartan) and matching tie
SWK Black Watch w/navy blue tie
SWK Black Stewart w/navy blue tie
SWK Solid Black w/navy blue tie
USA Kilts U.S. Army Tartan w/navy blue tie

I am also wondering if I should wear my black Argyle jacket with 5 button waistcoat (jacket and waistcoat have silver buttons), white button-front shirt, navy blue tie, black sporran and black shoes or should I wear a tweed jacket and appropriate day wear accessories?

Your comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[biblemonkey]

I'm no expert but from what I have learned your family tartan is ALWAYS appropriate and a military tartan at a military service is appropriate only if you have served in that branch. You CAN wear whatever you want but the dos and do nots are really a matter of personal conviction and that is mine.

Since it is a little more of a special service and you seem to want to call that out in the formality of your dress, I would wear somthing a little dressier than the usual tweed. So the black argyle may indeed be the right thing. Just my personal sense of style.

All the best,
Hughith:

[LANCER1562]

I was actually leaning towards the USAK U.S. Army (as I served in that branch) with the Agyle jacket and waistcoat with my mini service medals on the lapel.

[biblemonkey]

Sounds cool to me.

[Chas]

Personally, I would wear whatever I felt most comfortable in. It is a special event, but that is the point, it is about the event and not about you. After all, you will be the only one in a kilt, so you will be the expert. No one else will know, so why fuss?

Wear what you feel most at home in.

Regards

Chas

[flyrod6057]

I was actually leaning towards the USAK U.S. Army (as I served in that branch) with the Argyle jacket and waistcoat with my mini service medals on the lapel.

I'm a retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, and I'd feel perfectly at ease wearing what you've proposed. Sounds like proper attire for a memorial. An Argyle with miniature medals isn't too far removed from the dress uniform, which would be 100% appropriate for such an occasion.

[Tobus]

I don't think I'd wear a kilt to a 9/11 memorial service. Just doesn't seem like the place for it to me. Whether you intend it to be or not, wearing a kilt is a statement. And a memorial service of this magnitude just doesn't seem to be the place to make statements.

But, I could be wrong.

[John_Carrick]

I'm not sure I agree with Tobus but I understand his point. You would want to dress smartly as a mark of respect and the formal kilt outfit is certainly very smart.
John

[Duke of Delrio]

Having presided at funerals, memorial services, and remembrance events of all kinds all over this country, I am keenly aware of the "statements" one can make merely in how one dresses. I cannot remember a single occasion of these types, public or private, where a kilt was unwelcome or inappropriate if it was worn with respect.

[Downunder Kilt]

As the black argyll and waistcoat is the equivalent of the morning suit, I doubt whether other members of your congregation will be attired to the same level of formality. I would therefore suggest that you would stand out.
I would go for whichever kilt you want, tweed argyll and with/without waistcoat, and whaterever sporran/shoes you think is appropiate (doesn't matter if leathers are black or brown) As for medals, wear what your entitled to.