Over doing it

[ASinclair]

Nathan,

Wow. Almost as if black tie, white shirt, black PC was the uniform! I did see a couple of jabots and a cleric in blue. One young lady was even wearing pants. I think, if you had a solid color waistcoat (red, maybe) to wear with your black PC, then you could stand-out, but not like a sore thumb.

[cable scot]

I say wear your doublet and your best sporran. You will stand out from the crowd, but that can be a good thing. I would not worry about looking like a lemon.

[JohntheBiker]

From what I can gather, the Toronto St. Andrew's Society Burns Dinner is not quite as formal as the Charity Ball. Take a look at the women's outfits for clues. The Balmoral wouldn't be inappropriate, but I suggest that you will likely be on the dressy end of the spectrum.

I am only going on comments I have heard from friends who go to this function. I usually attended the Burns function at the Granite Club, which, as it happens, is not being held this year.

[plaid preacher]

Yes, the black PC does seem to be the "uniform"; I don't think I even saw a tartan vest! I did see a jabot and caught a glimpse of what appears to be a mess uniform in the corner of one of the photos. I would say wear your doublet, I agree with the above post that you only see the PC because that's all people see...and so it does become a uniform. As for the bonnet, a gentleman always uncovers indoors and so it really would not be an issue one way or another.

[Nathan]

As for the bonnet, a gentleman always uncovers indoors and so it really would not be an issue one way or another.

I think perhaps you may have misunderstood a reference to my Balmoral Doublet as a reference to a Balmoral Bonnet. It's understandable. I don't think anyone mentioned anything about bonnets in this thread so far.

For clarification, I'm wearing the Balmoral Doublet in green barathea on the far left:

[plaid preacher]

Oops! Completetly my mistake; reading too fast... or should I say not reading too fast. I say go for it. IT's a great doublet.

[MacCathmhaoil]

Nathan, I have a black velvet Balmoral as well, in the event I feel a bit overdressed I just unbutton the top two buttons as this seems to lessen the formality of the Balmoral but I doubt I'd worry. I first noticed John Macleod of Macleod, the late Chief, doing this when he wore his and it seemed to work well to "soften" the look. You can get a look at a photo of him here.
http://www.clan-macleod-scotland.org.uk/tartans

[MacRobert's Reply]

I would wear the doublet with a black bow tie and turn-down collar. Given the photographs, I would also wear hose that breaks with the apparent convention at this event!

[Highlander31]

I would wear the doublet with a black bow tie and turn-down collar. Given the photographs, I would also wear hose that breaks with the apparent convention at this event!

I agree, the doublet is the way to go, and as for the hose, I would suggest maybe charcoal or claret hose to finish it off. Just my two cents worth.

Nathan, I have a black velvet Balmoral as well, in the event I feel a bit overdressed I just unbutton the top two buttons as this seems to lessen the formality of the Balmoral but I doubt I'd worry. I first noticed John Macleod of Macleod, the late Chief, doing this when he wore his and it seemed to work well to "soften" the look. You can get a look at a photo of him here.
http://www.clan-macleod-scotland.org.uk/tartans

MacCathmhaoil, that's a nice look. I looked at the Balmoral doublet years ago, and didn't really think much of it. However, seeing the photo of the late chief does have me rethinking a bit.

[creagdhubh]

I would wear the doublet with a black bow tie and turn-down collar. Given the photographs, I would also wear hose that breaks with the apparent convention at this event!

I agree. I'd forego the lace jabot and cuffs (if you have them, as I can't remember if you do, or if you don't) at this particular event.

Wear the doublet and have a grand time, mate!!!

Slainte,