Levels of formaility in Kilt wearing

[jphnyc]

I was going to bring my kilt and Argyle jacket on the QM2. I have a tux for formal knight and was planning the kilt and Argyle jacket with a long tie on the semi-formal night--suits and ties requested. Is this correct or should I save the kilt for formal night even tho I do not have a short cut formal jacket. Want to make the right impression!

[unixken]

Although not a direct yes/no answer to your question, I highly recommend you take a look at this thread. Jamie and Glen did a fabulous job showing how you can dress up (or dress down) a kilt, for all levels of formality. Take a look at the photos, read their descriptions of each, and decide for yourself if their ideas would work for you.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

[jphnyc]

thank you that is a great help

[Tobus]

Lots of folks here have worn kilts on cruises and can give you good advice on what's appropriate. But I have a question: Do they have a better description on the level of dress expected, other than "formal" and "semi-formal"? The term "semi-formal" is a bit of an odd duck, and means different things to different people.

[O'Searcaigh]

In my experience, if you wear a kilt with a dark kilt jacket (whether PC or Argyle), white shirt and bow tie (with a respectable sporran etc) you will look quite "formal" enough for any occasion aboard ship. I've NEVER seen anyone in white tie etc. (used to be definition of "formal") and frequently even see men in dark business suits with long ties at such occasions. Wear your kilt anywhere and any time you like! Don't worry -- be happy! No one will deny you dinner :-)

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Having been employed as a lecturer on both Cunard and Raddison ships, dinner seatings require a jacket and tie the same as up-scale restaurants. On formal nights black tie is expected, although you won't be thrown overboard if you turn up in a dark suit.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

If it were me I would wear my kilt, black Argyle jacket, and long tie for semi-formal night. And then for formal night, the kilt, black Argyle jacket with three-button waistcoat, tuxedo shirt and black bow tie for formal night.

Assuming I had the appropriate accessories I may also wear a fancier sporran for formal night. I'd probably wear solid hose for semi-formal, and switch them out for diced or argyle hose for formal night.

[gazbot]

Hello,

Having sailed transatlantic on QM2 last year I can offer some advice should you care to follow it. We had a number of formal night ( modern formal ie black tie ) I wore a dinner jacket for one of these and on another formal night wore my kilt with formal sporan, black hose and flashes to match the tartan, ghillies, I took my black argyle and waistcoat wearing with a bow tie turn down collar and even dared to wear the dreaded fly plaid on one night ( this sparked much interest with the our American companions ) on semi formal a wore lounge suits or even the kilt with a tie to tone down the formal look. We also had an Ascot Ball. For this I wore my morning dress as requested but was dissapointed to be the only one.

I am sure you will have a fantastic voyage and remember it is better to be tastefully over dressed rather than under.

Bon Voyage.

[Panache]

If it were me I would wear my kilt, black Argyle jacket, and long tie for semi-formal night. And then for formal night, the kilt, black Argyle jacket with three-button waistcoat, tuxedo shirt and black bow tie for formal night.

Assuming I had the appropriate accessories I may also wear a fancier sporran for formal night. I'd probably wear solid hose for semi-formal, and switch them out for diced or argyle hose for formal night.

Matt's suggestion will insure that you will both look good but also don't have to pack a lot of extra kit. If you don't have the three-button waistcoat (the higher 5 button just doesn't work) then a dress kilt belt with a bright chrome or silver waist plate will work in the same way a cummerbund does with a tuxedo jacket.

We are so used to seeing this bright metal waist plates worn inappropriately at all times we can forget they really are a more formal item of dress

Cheers

Jamie