I need some"jacket" advice for Burns night

**frank_a** · 24th January 13, 07:46 AM

Gee, I don't know. Highland attire turned out to be just that! Like a dummy, I was not reading anything into it, and after Tobus suggested I check, I did, and sure enough, highland attire means whatever. But yes, if a supper notice was to say "black tie" I know what that means and could save my money by not attending...

Frank

**creagdhubh** · 24th January 13, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Frank, with all due respect, I think you should probably check with the organisers of your event and have them clarify what they mean. You stated:

I don't interpret that the same as you do. And I may be wrong, of course, but it seems to me that the language states that Highland evening attire* is requested, and if you can't wear that, then you can wear traditional black tie (i.e. tuxedo). It's not saying you can wear any old kilt outfit, with dressing up to level of black tie being optional.

And sorry to say, but a tweed jacket and long tie are not considered Highland evening attire. But again, it would be wise to get it clarified by the organisers.

*edited to add: they don't say "evening attire", but it is implied since this is a supper, not a daytime event, I presume.

***

**Geoff Withnell** · 24th January 13, 08:16 AM

I am going to ask here, and also on the thread for the event. I am attending the Fredericksburg, Va Burns dinner, which looking at past photos is normally formal. Unfortunately, I have broken my wrist a few weeks ago, and I have a cast on my right arm. The cast will NOT go through the sleeve of any of my jackets, Scottish or Saxon. Advice, ladies and gentlemen?

**Father Bill** · 24th January 13, 08:18 AM

Wear your sling, and the jacket over your shoulders with the left arm through the sleeve. If you want to keep it really neat, tuck the unused sleeve inside the jacket. It's a well-recognized form of dress when injured.

**Jock Scot** · 24th January 13, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Frank, with all due respect, I think you should probably check with the organisers of your event and have them clarify what they mean. You stated:

*edited to add: they don't say "evening attire", but it is implied since this is a supper, not a daytime event, I presume.

Actually there is a subtle guide being used here and without going back through the thread to check, I just point this out.

Most in the UK would regard an invitation to "supper", as an informal invitation to an evening meal and would not consider formal attire. So knowing your host helps here, but it could mean pretty casual or more likely smartish. So in kilt terms a tweed argyll and normal tie would cover most situations. A black bow tie and the rest would not be even considered and would only be worn if the invitation was to "come to dinner". Not forgetting of course that lunch is the midday meal.

**creagdhubh** · 24th January 13, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

Wear your sling, and the jacket over your shoulders with the left arm through the sleeve. If you want to keep it really neat, tuck the unused sleeve inside the jacket. It's a well-recognized form of dress when injured.

I completely agree, Father Bill. And if wearing the jacket in that manner becomes more of a nuisance as the evening progresses, removing it and wearing the waistcoat alone should be perfectly acceptable. Many men do this anyways as the evening becomes later and later and the dancing picks up the pace!

Cheers,

**Jock Scot** · 24th January 13, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by Geoff Withnell

I am going to ask here, and also on the thread for the event. I am attending the Fredericksburg, Va Burns dinner, which looking at past photos is normally formal. Unfortunately, I have broken my wrist a few weeks ago, and I have a cast on my right arm. The cast will NOT go through the sleeve of any of my jackets, Scottish or Saxon. Advice, ladies and gentlemen?

Father Bill has the situation covered. You may also find a length of suitable string, or even a wee chain, betwixt button hole and button on your jacket may stablise the jacket a tadd.

**Panache** · 24th January 13, 09:01 AM

Here is a photo thread Glen and I did years ago to show options for formality in highland dress

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

Perhaps it could be of some assistance.

Cheers

Jamie

**frank_a** · 24th January 13, 09:11 AM

When I first got into this kilt stuff a few months ago, I took a look at that thread and was amazed at the amount of "stuff" some folks have to go with their kilt(s). I once started a thread about the cost of kilt attire, and while I understand why this stuff costs so much, the bottom line is I am lucky just to have one good kilt and a kilt jacket. Even the kilt jacket was a budget deal, coming from a good will store and being tailored for me to wear with my kilt. Retirement for me is 3 years down the road, and at that point, I better have what I need for "highland attire"!

Frank

**Stan** · 24th January 13, 09:45 AM

Hi Jamie and thanks for your input. I'm finding that there are certainly a lot opinions about this subject. And while I respect them all, there's certainly some I agree with, and some I don't. I guess it's the (grand) difference that's what makes up humanity.

Thanks again for your contribution.

Stan L.