For formal wear dirk and belt vs waistcoat

[Tobus]

Ok from the other side of the pond, but over here the event and style of your attire would not warrant a dirk, you are in civilian attire after all, my advice is to leave it at home and would solve the belt problem too.

Maybe I'm reading more into it than you meant, but are you saying that a dirk is never warranted for civilian attire? Or just for this event where he will be in civilian attire amongst military uniforms?

Given that this is a military ball and he will be in civilian attire, I would tend to agree that a dirk might be a tad out of place, or look affected. Were it a different (i.e. specific to Highland attire) event, like a Burns supper perhaps, the dirk would be more appropriate.

In any case, I wouldn't think that wearing a waistcoat, with a dirk belt over it and a dirk hanging from it, under an Argyll jacket, would be ideal. It's certainly been done before, but seems like a less-than-ideal way to wear a dirk. It may end up being partially covered by the jacket. A dirk belt over a doublet seems like the best option, although it doesn't sound like an option in this case.

[Jock Scot]

[QUOTE=Tobus;1132624]Maybe I'm reading more into it than you meant, but are you saying that a dirk is never warranted for civilian attire? Or just for this event where he will be in civilian attire amongst military uniforms?

Given that this is a military ball and he will be in civilian attire, I would tend to agree that a dirk might be a tad out of place, or look affected. Were it a different (i.e. specific to Highland attire) event, like a Burns supper perhaps, the dirk would be more appropriate.[QUOTE]

Indeed you are reading more into what I have suggested.

As a general rule, as a civilian at military events you go as a civilian(decorations may,or, may not be worn depending on your host and of course the event)-----even though you may well be a retired military man-------and normally for black tie events the dirk is gilding the lilly even at a Burns night, unless of course, you happen to be giving the address. In that circumstance, I would advise "accidentally forgetting" your own dirk and use someone else's! Be warned, haggis juices, wedding cakes, etc., are absolute murder on blades unless they are scrupulously cleaned , almost immediately, by those who know about these things.