Quote Originally Posted by Shaun S. View Post
Simply put, my sense of stlye is severly lacking. The only evidence contrary to this assertion is my choice to wear a kilt. Being both color blind and analytical certainly doesn't make things any easier. I have searched and read a number of threads, but I still don't get the big picture.

So, I'd like to get some input, mostly on selecting hose and shirts. Let's start with some occasions that would require a suit. In this case I am thinking of two events. The first is a "Captain's Dinner" on a cruise I will be taking in a couple of months. Second would be at church on those occasions where I would be wearing a suit (or kilt equivalent to a suit). For more casual combinations I'm not so worried, but this is "getting dressed up" for me. I'd like to look, as my wife says, "put together."

The Nitty Gritty...

As we discuss this, Rocky is making me a semi-traditional kilt in Stewart Hunting pleated to the yellow stripe. As soon as it arrives I have a black jacket that I will have converted to a kilt jacket. Along with this I also have a black vest. In addition I have cream hose.

My first thought was to get a cream shirt to match the cream hose. Then add a red tie and flashes (or garter ties) to go with the red stripe in the tartan. The second idea was to get black hose and a white shirt; also with the red tie and flashes.

Would either, or both, work? Is one more dressy than the other? What other ideas to you have?

Thanks for your input.
You can't go wrong with a white shirt, no matter what tartan your kilt may be. As for a tie-- allow me to suggest a green and gold striped tie (google "striped neckties", you'll find a ton of suppliers). I'd go with Lovat green hose for day wear, and dark green or burgundy hose for evening wear.

Your Captain's Dinner will probably be a black tie affair-- stick with the white shirt (you can buy a tux shirt from Penny's) and a black bow tie (avoid the wing collar shirts unless you can tie your own bow tie).

Well polished black shoes are the other requirement, and you might want to re-think the white/cream/ecru hose as these tend to have a "rented for the event" look.

Above all, enjoy the cruise!