How about this ensemble?

[Nathan]

I'm planning to take my girlfriend to a celtic music concert in a soft seat theatre next week wearing this. What do you think?

[mookien]

As handsome as you look and as elegantly dressed, she may think you are going to propose. My advice is to have a ring, or a good excuse, ready.

Your hose are very nice. They appear to be black with red tops and garters. What kind are they? Also, your hose, kilt, tie, and balmoral are nicely integrated with your coat, vest, and tie. Well done.

[Nathan]

Your hose are very nice. They appear to be black with red tops and garters. What kind are they?

The hose are navy blue and the red are hand knit cuffs. I don't remember the name brand of the hose, I've had them for years.

[mookien]

[QUOTE=Nathan;1154336]

... The hose are navy blue and the red are hand knit cuffs. I don't remember the name brand of the hose, I've had them for years.

Thanks. I have not seen a pair quite like them, but they look very nice, especially with your kilt. If you ever see me wearing a similar pair, you'll know where I got the idea.

Personally, I like your "semi-formal" sporran, because it achieves its raison d'etre by dressing your outfit up a bit. Enjoy the concert.

[Tobus]

I think it looks great. We can nit-pick the finer details (hey, it's what makes these conversations interesting), but have no doubt that you will be representing the kilt very well.

The only nit-picking I can really do is to agree that the top-of-the-knee height would be better for the kilt, and the bonnet (worn only out-of-doors, of course) would look better worn with the crown over to the right instead of centered like a flat-cap. Oh, and a nice pocket square might be a nice touch too!

[Nathan]

I think it looks great. We can nit-pick the finer details (hey, it's what makes these conversations interesting), but have no doubt that you will be representing the kilt very well.

The only nit-picking I can really do is to agree that the top-of-the-knee height would be better for the kilt, and the bonnet (worn only out-of-doors, of course) would look better worn with the crown over to the right instead of centered like a flat-cap. Oh, and a nice pocket square might be a nice touch too!

Thanks so much. A pocket square is a nice idea.

Regarding the Tam O Shanter bonnet, this is the way we were instructed to form them when I was in the Nova Scotia Highlanders. It contrasted significantly with our beret wearing counterparts. Interestingly, we were also told to kneel down and let our kilts just brush the floor giving it an upper middle of the knee cap hang. Old military habits die hard I suppose. I'll try to remember to hike it up a little more...

Everyone's feedback and advice is welcome and appreciated! Please don't take my counter point as a rejection of advice... I asked for it and am grateful for it...

A thought regarding sporrans...Regarding the semi dress sporran thing, after posting a thread about it here and doing some outside research, I think it parallels regular dress as follows:

Tweed sport coat and contrasting trousers = day dress tweed jacket and simple leather sporran.
Business suit = smarter dress and semi dress sporran.
Tuxedo = Prince Charlie with full dress fur and metal cantle sporran.

I could be way off, but this is how I understand it.

As was pointed out in another thread, these things have been on offer in sporran catalogues since at least the 1930s so they aren't that "recent" compared to other beloved items of highland kit although, I think Matt Newsome is correct that it would compliment a black barrathea argyll more than this jacket and, now that I'm looking at it again, it is perhaps a little overly blingy with the lovat green crail jacket but I just thought the black leather was so boring.

"Maybe a nice brown leather hunting sporran..." thought the kiltoholic...

[Dale Seago]

I'm planning to take my girlfriend to a celtic music concert in a soft seat theatre next week wearing this. What do you think?

I think she should be pleased and proud to be seen with you!

[Chas]

You look OK to me.

Regards

Chas

[Jock Scot]

I think you have a black leather sporran? If you have, then wear that and unless the weather is against you leave the bonnet at home. Lastly and most importantly, raise the kilt to "top of knee cap" height.

[MacRobert's Reply]

It works for me Nathan. The sporran is a tad ornate for day wear and you will of course remove the bonnet when indoors. Enjoy the concert, the soft seats and the company!