semi- formal event help

**daveMc** · 12th January 14, 10:10 PM

I am planning on attending a semi formal dress outing in a few mouths. I question is, is it looked down upon if I wear my kilt with out the prince Charlie, but keep all other aspects such as hose, flashers, sporran, etc.

thanks for the help and appreciate all comments

**The Wizard of BC** · 13th January 14, 01:47 AM

Perhaps you can help us answer this question by giving us a little more detail.

Semi-Formal is such a wide and poorly defined thing. Do you know what the other people will be wearing? What will the ladies be wearing is always a good indicator of the level of formality of an event.

The Prince Charlie Coatee is considered to be the kilt equivalent of the tuxedo. Or Black Tie if you will. If the others are not wearing a tux then the Prince Charlie would be overdressing for that event.

Perhaps another way to answer your question would be to direct you to our thread 1 kilt 10 looks. Two of our members used the exact same kilt and changed only the accessories to achieve 10 different levels of formality. Perhaps you can find some inspiration.

This thread may be found as the first 'sticky' thread in the General Kilt Talk section of the General Kilt Talk Forum.

Or simply click here.

**Spartan Tartan** · 13th January 14, 03:47 AM

Steve, as per usual, has hit the nail on the head...

Briefly, I would say NO. In fact, if the event is not specified as Black Tie or Formal, then I would not wear a Prince Charlie at all. There are other jacket options which might be more suitable. There are also options that do not require a jacket at all (i.e. shirt, tie and sweater in lieu of jacket).

**ASinclair** · 13th January 14, 06:58 AM

Hello, daveMc!

and, to answer your question, what Steve said.

**JohntheBiker** · 13th January 14, 07:05 AM

Agree with Steve that more information is needed to provide you with more detailed advice. However, absent details, I would suggest that a tie would be called for + sweater or tweed jacket.

**daveMc** · 13th January 14, 02:09 PM

ok thank you for the advise so far. others will be wearing mostly suits and floor length dresses, but all band performers will be wearing tuxes. my plan was to wear kilt, hose, flashers, sporran, white dress shirt, black tie, and vest. I was wondering because every time I happen to go to these events, I check my jacket immediately due to the amount of movement and people attending.
my fear is that if there were to happen to be someone that would find it not up to par.

thanks again for all the advice.

-dave

**daveMc** · 15th January 14, 05:57 AM

ok thank you for the advise so far. others will be wearing mostly suits and floor length dresses, but all band performers will be wearing tuxes. my plan was to wear kilt, hose, flashers, sporran, white dress shirt, black tie, and vest. I was wondering because every time I happen to go to these events, I check my jacket immediately due to the amount of movement and people attending.
my fear is that if there were to happen to be someone that would find it not up to par.

thanks again for all the advice.

-dave

**Nathan** · 15th January 14, 06:39 AM

If the others are wearing suits and the ladies are in gowns, the Argyll jacket with a long tie is the appropriate choice. I wouldn't wear a black bow tie without the jacket, but I wouldn't wear either to this particular event.

If you don't have an Argyll, I'm afraid you may be a bit underdressed in your shirt sleeves and might be better off in a suit until you acquire the proper kit.

A tweed Argyll would certainly suffice for this event, as would a black barathea silver buttoned dress Argyll with a long tie. You may be able to hire a dress Argyll for the evening.

Although I don't recommend going jacket-less for an event where the others are wearing suits, if you do choose to wear the kilt and don't want to spring for a jacket, perhaps you have a waistcoat/vest with a cloth back rather than a satin/polyester one. A five button waistcoat and long tie is the best choice for this level of formality.

Good luck, Dave! Hope the snow isn't too severe today!

**JohntheBiker** · 15th January 14, 07:02 AM

Nathan is right in terms of appropriate kit and it seems that it makes a difference to you in terms of what people think about your attire. A tweed Argyll will give you a suit equivalent and is a good investment if you are going to wear your kilt regularly.

**MacLowlife** · 15th January 14, 01:05 PM

If you were going to be in your shirtsleeves anyway, then being in your shirtsleeves in a kilt is no different. BUT, if you would have worn a suit and removed your jacket, then you may want to do the kilted equivalent- wear some kind of jacket and then, if you feel moved, take it off.

We talk about jackets as if everyone always wore kilt-length jackets with their kilts. These days, Saxon jackets are often cut shorter and may even be an acceptable compromise. If you do not have a kilt jacket (and can't rent one) AND you are planning on removing it as soon as you enter the event AND you have a Saxon one that looks OK, I would at least wear that, rather than wandering into a room full of suits with no jacket at all.

I would also think hard about your shirt, since that is what people are going to see- Consider maybe a solid blue one or a white one that is clearly not a tuxedo shirt. Let us know how it works out.