Graduation ceremony and colors, need some advice...

[Cygnus]

Hi Cygnus,

First of all, thank you for your answer, I'll try to tell you more about your interrogations.

- My ceremony is in the evening, and so is the party, so I chose the Prince Charlie over the Argyll, especially because I find it better-looking (and most french people are not able to differenciate the uses of the two anyway).

- I'm planning on buying a blue-stonned Sgian Dubh, as you suspected.

- The question of "tartan flashes" is here very close to "plain black flashes", as it is a Black Shadow tartan, so only the weaving "draws" the lines, the color is plain black, and it needs full light to be visible.

- Fact is: I'm not fond of white, and I don't hesitate to differ a little from the standard when I feel I can... As there is no "mandatory dress code" for the event, and my kilt/suit/jacket/hose/shoes are going to be black, I feared that a white shirt would seem strange on me by being the only white thing... I was planning on a "full black" look (as I nearly always am in full black), with only one secondary color (blue) highlighting the set; so a Royal Blue shirt with black bow tie (I love royal blue), but I then asked myself: "why not a black shirt with royal blue bow tie"... That's why I'm asking for your opinion (I even have a white shirt on the side "just in case").

I'm very glad to read that the event and festivities are in the evening - and the sgian dubh sounds like a nice touch (though I don't often wear one - for various reasons).

I am probably the exception here when I say that I think it's okay in certain less-formal (but still "black tie") situations to wear a coloured bow tie, and a graduation party would certainly qualify - especially if your tie is in the colours of your school or a particular school club.

I have often said that the black-on-black-on-black look, 20 years from now, will be viewed in much the same way as the powder blue tuxedo with ruffled shirt is today. That is, I think, what MacRobert's Reply is getting at in his post - the white shirt and black tie are really timeless, so minor deviations will look less "faddish" years from now.

Having said that, it is your day and, for reasons that I don't understand, black formal shirts are becoming more and more common - so do as you please; though I hope you remember the "white shirt" crowd when you're sitting 20 years from now and wondering why you chose all black attire.

[Carlo]

I would still go for a white shirt (I had my black-on-black-on-black phase and am happy that it is over).
You might consider a blue three button waistcoat (buyakilt does offer one in navy blue) obviously it's gonna cost something but it would be a possibility to show some blue and still be in traditional black bow tie and white shirt.

[McMurdo]

I would wear a white shirt and black self tie bow tie. If you do not know how to tie a bow tie do learn it make a difference in how the outfit looks. Here is a video that can help if you need it:
http://youtu.be/VJv4Qh7zR3E
I think the black shirt would just be too much you need some break from the black or your entire outfit will in essence disappear. As for the hose and flashes I`d say wear the black hose if you`d like but I would suggest blue flashes or better yet garter ties, they are in my experience far more comfortable than flashes. You can find blue flashes here:
http://www.scottishkilthose.com/garter_ties.html
Another thought if you have the money and time for it, as it seems to me that your outfit is crying out for some colour, would be a pair of diced hose in black and blue here is where I got my diced hose, it is an expense but it is well worth it.
http://kiltshop.scottishtartans.org/custom_diced.html