Utilikilts worn formally?

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Biblemonkey's thread here reminded me of a conversation I had with the leader of a Christian retreat I am going to be serving on. We were finishing up a team building session, and I was wearing a tan UK with a black What's under the kilt t-shirt from USAK. At this retreat, the people serving are some times giving talks to the other attendees, and are expected to dress formally. I am not giving a talk this time, but have in the past, and usually go with my
X-Marks box-pleat from Matt Newsome, black wool jacket, tie, hose, etc.. Anyway, I have not served on a team with this leader before, and he asks me if I have a "formal" kilt, assuming a tartan one I guess. Anyway, I said yes I did, but as I was driving home (its a 2 hour trip, so plenty of time to think), I wondered if anybody had worn their UK in a formal manner and if so, how about posting some pictures to this thread so we can see what works?

Here is a pic of me in my UK worn casually, but how formal can/has anybody gone with a UK?

[Riverkilt]

Utilikilt olive Mocker with necktie at work a few years ago.

[CMcG]

A friend bought me a Utilikilt last year but I have only worn it around my apartment, except for one trip over to my benefactor's place to show it off and thank her. If I wanted to dress up, a traditional kilt outfit would be my first choice. Come to think of it, while I sometimes play around with more modern looks (especially for Canadian-Irish events) most of my kilt wearing is traditional and Scottish...

The internet, however, has a few pictures of people wearing Utilikilts in a more dressy way. Personally, I think one without cargo pockets is more suitable for this (Mocker or Tuxedo models).

Here are a few pics for your consideration. Some outfits are more successful than others, but I'll let you be the judge:







This last one is actually from the Utilikilts site and features a matching Utilikilt, vest, and spats:

[Panache]

I wondered if anybody had worn their UK in a formal manner and if so, how about posting some pictures to this thread so we can see what works?

Some time ago I receieved a PM from another member asking me the same question and if I would respond to a thread. I can't find the thread but here was my best attempt to dress up a modern kilt.




I really think that trying to go much further in dressing up a UK is going to look odd.

Cheers

Jamie

[artificer]

With the Utilikilt (and many other MUGS) I think the problem is the material. Cotton twill is basically chinos/dockers material. You can only dress it up so much before it doesn't look quite right.

Most people wouldn't wear tails with chinos (even black ones) for good reason - the material and cut of the jacket is MUCH more formal than the trousers.

I think the same issue applies here. And cargo pockets make it even more pronounced. A shirt and tie is about a formal as chinos go, and that's about as far as I'd take a normal UK

There are some MUGS available in suiting material, and they'd certainly be a better choice if you were trying to dress more formally.

ith:

[Riverkilt]

And....

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Thanks for the pics CMcG, I didn't even think to Google it! Shame on me.

From those and Ron and Jamie's posts, I can easily see that a black/gray/olive would dress up quite nicely, even up to black tie. Now, what about a tan or other color UK? and I agree, the cargo pockets are going to limit how formal you can go. I have a nice brown tweed jacket that would look good with my tan UK, but it has not been converted to a kilt jacket yet. May just throw it on with a nice shirt and see how it looks. I don't really have a need for wearing my UK formally, just interested in seeing what others may have done to get some ideas.

[Father Bill]

Respectfully to those who are able to pull it off to some degree or another, for most who try this, it seems to me that they're working under the misapprehension that you can do whatever you want.

Again respectfully, you can't.

Some things will simply be seen by others as improper. The question you're asking isn't actually whether you can do it, but rather what others will think. Those who don't know, won't know. Those who do, are probably well enough behaved that they will keep their mouths shut and you'll never know that they were terribly unimpressed, or terribly negatively impressed.

Again, with respect....

[CMcG]

Some time ago I receieved a PM from another member asking me the same question and if I would respond to a thread. I can't find the thread but here was my best attempt to dress up a modern kilt.

That was me that PMed you, my good sir, and here is the thread (LINK). It is a pity that it is now locked and wasn't made into a sticky...

[Panache]

Now, what about a tan or other color UK?

I'd go with a nice sweater, kilt hose (no flashes, use the elastic garter if you need them to hold them up), and a nice dress shirt opened at the collar.

That was me that PMed you, my good sir, and here is the thread (LINK). It is a pity that it is now locked and wasn't made into a sticky...

Thanks! I tried the search function on the forum and Google but wasn't able to find it.

Cheers

Jamie