Party attire...

[Morris of Pabbay]

Browsing over many of the different threads have been helpful to many of us as members... Now for a bit of assistance myself... I am attending a party that the better halfs boss (Doctor) is putting on, at a fairly posh estate. The dress code is dress casual, however, the Doctor is a Campbell, and will be wearing his scottish attire for the event. He is fairly new to the Kilt scene and I would rather make a grand impression upon everyone, to include the proper dress and details to further impress upon him that, being Scottish or Celt and wearing a Kilt can be for any event. Upon that I shall impose my questions or rather describe the outfit that I have chosen and see if any of the readers would change any of the options. A Blackwatch Kilt, dark green tweed jacket and waistcoat, light green shirt with black tie, dark green kilt hose with black flashes, ghillies, spats, sgian dubh, and a semi dress sporran. I also have a deep red waistcoat, red diced hose, red flashes, and the assortment of white shirts, traditional plaid, brooches, ect. Being the Wife's boss, and the Host, I don't want to out do him in dress, as this is not a black or white tie formal. I am however wearing my dark green rosette and brass kilt pin to close the deal. What... if any would you as a reader change or add ?

[Mikilt]

I think your outfit sounds fine. If anything, I'd go sans spats.

[vmac3205]

Definately loose the spats unless your pipe band is playing there and you are in it. Also, since you said the dress code is casual, and your outfit is semi-formal, you might consider a more casual approach to the coat, vest, shirt and tie. If the bifurcated gents are wearing suits, you would be just right. It they are wearing polo shirts and chinos, you are definately over dressed.

[MacLowlife]

I'm sorry, but I have reached the stage in life (early 50s) where I tend to take "casual" seriously. Do you suppose many of the non-kilted men will be wearing ties? If so, then, by all means wear a jacket and a tie. I love diced hose, so why not wear them, too, but would it be too casual to simply wear your kilt with a sweater? Or a checked shirt and a bow tie, with or without the tweed jacket?

I recognize that it is a posh estate, but even posh people can be informal and casual in their dress. If you expect more than a third of the men there to be in jeans, then I'd adjust the kilt accessories to match- As you said, you don't want to outshine the host.

Go for elegant and simple. If you aren't up for mixing patterns and you are nervous about looking TOO casual, then consider a chambray or denim shirt (with a tie) and some lighter colored hose with the argyll. Above all else, be comfortable.

[nagod]

i would do without the spats and the ghillie brogues.

[Morris of Pabbay]

I am a piper and have been asked to play... The spats seem gentlemanly as well... But I don't want to outshine the Host as well...

[Jack Daw]

Ah, your piping kit allows for a step-up; so, a tie and jacket are fine, IMHO. I'm no fashion expert, but I wear my spats with my patrol tunic and plain, black shoes, not ghillie brogues. If it were me, I would wear the spats or the ghillie brogues, but not both.

[MacMillans son]

I am a piper and have been asked to play... The spats seem gentlemanly as well... But I don't want to outshine the Host as well...

Hmmm, are you going as an invited guest to an event where the host asked you to be dressed casually, or are you attending as a paid musician and feel a need to come in professional piper regalia?

In my part of the world, when someone who happens to play the guitar is invited to attend a casual dress party and play a few songs, I don't think they automatically dress more formally. They're just like any other guest, they just happen to play the guitar.

I would dress to the same standard as asked for in the invitation. If you are compelled to attend kilted then I would match my kilt attire as closely as possible to the level of dress indicated in the invitation.

Expected dress on an invitation is not typically open to the guest to modify at their discretion. I would think that to come over dressed to an event where you were invited to attend in casual attire would be as much of a slight as arriving to a white tie event in casual clothes.

Follow the request on the invitation and you will be fine.

Just my two cents.

Brooke

[Chas]

There is a general mis-conception that spats are in some way uber-Scottish. They were primarily worn in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by civilians to keep mud and dirt off their shoes.

Now-a-days it is only uniformed groups that wear them, bands and the army. When worn by civilians, not in uniform, they do tend to make a person look like a Scottish wannabe.

I don't know that I would be impressed if someone turned up at my house wearing personal protection clothing.

Regards

Chas

[Spartan Tartan]

Consider asking the host what he will be wearing. If he will be kilted, as I thought the OP suggested, then ask him and match that level of attire if you are concerned.