Kilted Graduation - Do I need a jacket?

[TheBrus]

Lots of good posts about Argyll jackets. As I mentioned before, I am wanting to wear one of my kilts to my graduation ceremony in November. I'm on the fence about whether or not I need a jacket. I love the tweed jackets I see folks wearing, but also admire the versatility of the black Argyll jackets. I just haven't been able to commit to buying one or the other. I have a black, five-button waistcoat that I'd like to wear under my gown. If I went with a jacket, I'd probably hire it, so I can continue to sit on the fence... but do I even need one? Thoughts?

[TheBrus]

Also, I don't fail to see the humor in looking like my Oor Wullie avatar dressed as described above.

[Grizzly]

I dont think anyone can tell you to wear one or not. But if it was my graduation I would wear a jacket. I would have studied long and hard to get that certificate and I would want to look and feel at my best. If the ceremony is during the day I would go for Tweed and if in the evening a black Argyll.

Either way you will look and feel great which is surely how you want to feel on such an auspicious day.

Many congratulations on your graduation and have a great day whatever you decide.

[Peter Crowe]

I know customs vary from place to place but when I graduated from Glasgow University kilted I wore a jacket. Strictly speaking I should have worn my tweed argyle as it was a morning ceremony, but I went along with the custom that graduands who are kilted wear a dark PC and vest with bow-tie to graduate. UK academic gowns are generally open at the front, also receiving the hood of your degree and being 'capped' by the University vice-chancellor is when your status changes from graduand to graduate.

[piperdbh]

From what and where are you graduating? That'll tell us a lot.

[TheBrus]

I will be receiving my MBA from Argosy University in Schaumburg, IL. It will be a morning commencement with closed gowns.

[opositive]

if you want to follow peter crowe's advice on a pc for graduation, i am always scrounging for used stuff and noticed this: http://www.kiltrentalusa.com/own-you...e-jackets.html

i have not dealt with the company and do not know exactly how a "fair" jacket/vest would turn out, but that is pretty hard to beat.

[Tobus]

I will be receiving my MBA from Argosy University in Schaumburg, IL. It will be a morning commencement with closed gowns.

Just my opinion, but if it's a morning ceremony, a PC would be out of place. But, since this is an important event for your future and photos will undoubtedly be taken, I think a jacket would go a long way in preserving the memories with a sense of dignity and class.

This may sound like a silly idea, but since you'll be wearing a closed gown, might it be possible to wear a regular Saxon-cut jacket? That way, it would look 'right' for the portion that can be seen around the gown's collar, but the gown itself will hide the fact that the jacket is too long for wearing with a kilt. As soon as you take the gown off, take the jacket off too. It would seem like a decent compromise without any additional expense.