I would like to thank everyone that contributed to my last thread on this matter ( http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...doublet-81363/ ) as the input was immensely helpful.
I think I have settled on a decision to get a black velvet Sheriffmuir doublet and vest for white tie functions. However, after thinking this through more, I seem to have solved the neckwear dilemma but run into 2 others about which I would like to solicit opinions. Thanks in advance for any comments.
The first issue I cannot find anything about after some searching but it is quite straightforward:
To have a doublet / jacket made in velvet is very formal. Also very formal is to wear a fly plaid with a brooch. Pair the two together and you are pinning velvet with a brooch frequently. Seems to me this will destroy velvet rather quickly. For those who have had to deal with this issue, how do you get around it?
The second issue seems to be something of a debate here but I want a bit of clarification. If you get a black velvet Sheriffmuir doublet and a matching black velvet waistcoat, can this be worn together to a white tie event? Or must one reserve a second matched waistcoat in white for white tie functions? If so, should it be velvet as well? Silk? Pique? Other?
Some opinions on other threads have been expressed, such as:
"It's All About Conforming, Not Showing OffWhite tie is just that, white tie, and the rules are the same whether kilted or in tails.
FORMAL WHITE SHIRT WITH WING COLLAR;
WHITE WAISTCOAT;
WHITE TIE;
TARTAN HOSE or DICED HOSE or BLACK HOSE;
DRESS SPORRAN (silver mounted);
BLACK EVENING JACKET (Prince Charlie coatee);
BLACK EVENING SHOES (well polished plain black shoes; NO brogues).
As previously stated, do not wear your bonnet, and do not wear your plaid. When you can afford to up-grade your sporran, do so. Either one of those silver mounted fur things or a long horse hair or goat hair sporran is appropriate for white tie.
While living in Europe I attended (on average) six white tie dinners a year, plus two or three white tie balls. I did this every year for nearly twenty one years, so I probably have more real world experience than anyone else on this forum.
The whole purpose of formal attire is to blend in, not stand out. You are supposed to look like everyone else, but be remembered for your wit, charm, and intellect. If you stand out because of the way you are dressed, you will be mocked, not admired.
Like I said, it's all about conforming. And doing it so well that you are admired for it."
at this thread: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ite-tie-35057/
but I have seen other sources that seem to imply that the matching (in my case black) velvet waistcoat is also high formality. What do you all think? We touched a bit on the white waistcoat with the Black velvet jacket on my first thread, but did not get specific about if this was the only appropriate way to go for a white tie affair.
Slainte
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