Got to make sure I'm dressed to the nines

[The Wizard of BC]

Here are a couple of tips I pass on to my customers thinking of attending a Black Tie event.


I am writing this for our N. American members. Some of the conventions are different than in Europe.

1) Remember this is not your High School Prom. Your overall look should be plain and distinguished. The kilt will make your outfit stand out anyway so play down everything else. It should not be you in a kilt that everyone is looking at when you walk into the ballroom. It should be the partner on your arm. Never, ever, outshine your partner.

2) To really pull off Black Tie you need to look comfortable in your clothes. The only way to do this is to wear your outfit quite a few times before the event. Take a look at photos of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin or others from The Rat Pack. These guys lived in their Tuxedos. The only way to look like that is to wear the whole outfit often.

3) Your shoes are important. Tux shoes are almost like dance shoes. They are not designed for street wear. Whatever shoe you wear they should shine like patent leather. Spend some time perfecting you spit shine and have your shoes ready well in advance of the event.

4) Your shirt is more important than your shoes. Send your Tux shirt to the cleaners and have it starched till it almost stands up on it's own. The collar, cuffs and bib front if you have one should be hard. Don't put on your shirt until just before you are ready to leave for the event. Arriving with a wrinkled shirt is a big no-no.

5) Sending your outfit to the cleaners is important for your whole outfit. Have your jacket and vest freshly cleaned. Have your kilt cleaned and pressed. Even send your tie to the cleaners.

6) Get a haircut.

7) Forget about the cufflinks with the dice or smiley faces on them. The same goes for your shirt studs. Wear plain simple and elegant accessories. This is not the time for bling. Save the dirks and fly plaids for events where the kilt is the normal mode of dress. Every guy at a Black Tie event is supposed to look the same.

8) Take off your wrist watch.

9) Wear black underwear.

10) The Prince Charlie coatee is the kilt equivalent to the Tuxedo. This is one time when a Prince Charlie truly comes into its own. The satin lapels and tails say Black Tie to most people. If you don't have one consider renting one for the event.

11) And the single most important part of your evening's outfit is a smile. We in N. America don't get to go to Black Tie events often. It should be fun. It should be exciting. If you can't smile why are you there in the first place?

[Destin_scot]

Drac,

Jock has it right, less will definitely be more in this case.
The Krewe formal balls are something else...they take those parties very seriously.
I've been to Mardi Gras in NOLA and there are a couple other things you need think about.
Leave ANYTHING that can be construed as a weapon at home, sgian dubh, dirk, etc. During Mardi Gras, the N.O. Police do not play around.
Make sure you know were you are, Bourbon Street is great, but a block or two off, maybe not so great.
The people in New Orleans are great people, some of the best food in the country, and it's a great place to visit.
I hope you have a great time there.

[Father Bill]

Steve, I couldn't agree more with your list of advice. Well said... but I have a personal question.

Under the "less is more" heading, as clergy I normally take that slightly farther than most. What would you say about a black barathea Argylle with my clergy vest-collar and kilt? I try to dress more conservatively, but I don't want to be inappropriate either. For comparison, at lodge and lodge events when the others are in black tie & black dinner jacket, I normally am considered properly dressed in my black suit with clerical collar - my best collar, that is. White shirt under the clerically notched vest, with French cuffs and clan or chi-ro cuff links.

Your perspective in a Canadian Ontario context: Should I acquire a Prince Charlie some time?

[Drac]

Here are a couple of tips I pass on to my customers thinking of attending a Black Tie event.


I am writing this for our N. American members. Some of the conventions are different than in Europe.

1) Remember this is not your High School Prom. Your overall look should be plain and distinguished. The kilt will make your outfit stand out anyway so play down everything else. It should not be you in a kilt that everyone is looking at when you walk into the ballroom. It should be the partner on your arm. Never, ever, outshine your partner. Not possible so check

2) To really pull off Black Tie you need to look comfortable in your clothes. The only way to do this is to wear your outfit quite a few times before the event. Take a look at photos of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin or others from The Rat Pack. These guys lived in their Tuxedos. The only way to look like that is to wear the whole outfit often. Done so about a dozen times but this is the first really strict event

3) Your shoes are important. Tux shoes are almost like dance shoes. They are not designed for street wear. Whatever shoe you wear they should shine like patent leather. Spend some time perfecting you spit shine and have your shoes ready well in advance of the event.I'm in trouble. 18 years in the Navy but still suck at shining

4) Your shirt is more important than your shoes. Send your Tux shirt to the cleaners and have it starched till it almost stands up on it's own. The collar, cuffs and bib front if you have one should be hard. Don't put on your shirt until just before you are ready to leave for the event. Arriving with a wrinkled shirt is a big no-no.Check though not sure how well it will survive the plane trip in a garment bag

5) Sending your outfit to the cleaners is important for your whole outfit. Have your jacket and vest freshly cleaned. Have your kilt cleaned and pressed. Even send your tie to the cleaners. Check

6) Get a haircut.Check

7) Forget about the cufflinks with the dice or smiley faces on them. The same goes for your shirt studs. Wear plain simple and elegant accessories. This is not the time for bling. Save the dirks and fly plaids for events where the kilt is the normal mode of dress. Every guy at a Black Tie event is supposed to look the same. Silver with onyx stones, check

8) Take off your wrist watch.Got a pocket watch so check

9) Wear black underwear. Check

10) The Prince Charlie coatee is the kilt equivalent to the Tuxedo. This is one time when a Prince Charlie truly comes into its own. The satin lapels and tails say Black Tie to most people. If you don't have one consider renting one for the event.Have one but that is part of what the thread is about. Cheap jacket vs a better fitted

11) And the single most important part of your evening's outfit is a smile. We in N. America don't get to go to Black Tie events often. It should be fun. It should be exciting. If you can't smile why are you there in the first place? With Amy on my arm not a problem

Drac,

Jock has it right, less will definitely be more in this case.
The Krewe formal balls are something else...they take those parties very seriously.
I've been to Mardi Gras in NOLA and there are a couple other things you need think about.
Leave ANYTHING that can be construed as a weapon at home, sgian dubh, dirk, etc. During Mardi Gras, the N.O. Police do not play around.
Make sure you know were you are, Bourbon Street is great, but a block or two off, maybe not so great.
The people in New Orleans are great people, some of the best food in the country, and it's a great place to visit.
I hope you have a great time there.

Been there twice. Once for the same Mardi Gras weekend as this year and New Years a couple years ago. Will probably take a cab to the Balls (one is going to be a little less stuffy, Krewe of Barkus) as probably not the best idea to walk the streets in black tie. Even without making a target of ourselves we always risk messing up the attire. Been in the French Quarter at night and definately stay to the main drags, Bourban and Jackson Square (got to have beignets) at night. We save the exploring for the day. Food? I gain five pounds for every three days we spend there Than there is Amy's favorite shop Fleur De Paris. She has a hat obsession and that shop fills the the bill.

Jim

[Drac]

Just ran into another issue. Just was trying on my stuff. Been a little while for wearing the tank (been wearing the lighter ones in the summer heat) and a longer while for the jackets.

Well I have lost over 35 lbs this year and the tank doesn't fit even slightly and the jackets are rather loose. Bit problems.

Jim

[CMcG]

I gain five pounds for every three days we spend there

Well I have lost over 35 lbs this year and the tank doesn't fit even slightly and the jackets are rather loose.

I guess you'll just have to go down 21 days early so that you can gain back the weight to fit into your rig

[ThistleDown]

Just ran into another issue. Just was trying on my stuff. Been a little while for wearing the tank (been wearing the lighter ones in the summer heat) and a longer while for the jackets.

Well I have lost over 35 lbs this year and the tank doesn't fit even slightly and the jackets are rather loose. Bit problems.

Jim

Oops. Well if it weren't for the major problem of fit I would agree entirely with Jock, Colin and Steve. You can probably get away with an oversize Argyll better than a sloppy-fit PC, but a double-wrapped kilt just won't be comfy. I think you are headed for a rented tux that fits, Jim, as sad as that may be for you.

[BCAC]

Oops. Well if it weren't for the major problem of fit I would agree entirely with Jock, Colin and Steve. You can probably get away with an oversize Argyll better than a sloppy-fit PC, but a double-wrapped kilt just won't be comfy. I think you are headed for a rented tux that fits, Jim, as sad as that may be for you.

If you HAVE to rent an outfit why not a KILT outfit???? You know enough and own enough accessories to be able to make it look good!

[Spartan Tartan]

if your tank is too large at this point, why not wear your new 5 yarder with your outfit?

[Drac]

if your tank is too large at this point, why not wear your new 5 yarder with your outfit?

That's what I figured will have to happen. I doubt I can get my Lamont back from Kathy in time even if I mailed it out today. I was planning on sending it to her after the New Year hoping my weight was stabilized or at least closer to what my final weight will be. Got a couple I need to do that with. I'm hoping that the jackets will be quicker to tailor since it's a bit easier to find a local person who knows how to work on them. Also the weight loss effected them less than the kilts.

See how it works, make the Doctor happy pay more money for new clothes. It's a conspiracy I tell you.

Jim