Formulating a Back-up Formal Outfit

**PiperOfThePlains** · 26th March 14, 02:25 PM

Here's my situation:

I have a prom coming up and I am fixing to order a Regulation Doublet + vest/waistcoat. In the unfortunate event that it is not delivered on time, would it be "acceptable" to wear my tweed Argyle jacket, my crossbelt and my belt over the top of my jacket to "formalize" it? This MacLeay portrait has been my reference.
M25 MacPherson 400px_cross-belt-jacket.jpg Note the gentleman on the left.

Of course, I will be sporting a nice shirt, tie, diced hose (and flashes), evening dress sporran, sgian dubh, and buckle brogues.

For those who are curious, I am ordering my Reg. Doublet from Ian Parenteau (of glengarryhats.com). Thoughts?

**McMurdo** · 26th March 14, 02:31 PM

I would say the best thing to do if the doublet does not show up would be to rent a coatee. It is difficult to "formalize" a tweed jacket, no matter how you dress it up.

**Tobus** · 26th March 14, 02:31 PM

Why would you be wearing a crossbelt to a prom?

**PiperOfThePlains** · 26th March 14, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Why would you be wearing a crossbelt to a prom?

Personally, I think it looks classy; therefore, helping further formalize the outfit.

**cck** · 26th March 14, 02:38 PM

If you are in the Texas Panhandle and wearing a kilt, you are going to be outstandingly dressed. Unless everyone else is "white tie" I would have no worries about being "acceptable." (From a fellow Texan)

**Downunder Kilt** · 26th March 14, 02:42 PM

Short answer is no. The style of todays tweed jackets does not lend itself to be dressed up as those shown in the MacLeay portraits. By the look of the gentleman you are referencing his is wearing a 3 button jacket, which has a closing much closer to the neck than most jackets of today. In fact I am not even sure that the gentlemen shown are in fact wearing tweed jackets. They also have the advantage of wearing a plaid which adds a level of formality to the outfit. I think the use of belts without the use of a plaid with a tweed jacket, would look like a strange hodgepodge of outfits. Cheers

**PiperOfThePlains** · 26th March 14, 02:45 PM

Last year, to my knowledge, PCHEA's (Panhandle Christian Home Educators Association) prom had two kilted guys. I'm a freshman, so this will be my first one. Neither of them were pipers, as I would have definitely known about them. It looks like they did the Celtic Croft rental package. I hope they'll be there this year too!
1984928.jpg Not too bad!

**PiperOfThePlains** · 26th March 14, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

Short answer is no. The style of todays tweed jackets does not lend itself to be dressed up as those shown in the MacLeay portraits. By the look of the gentleman you are referencing his is wearing a 3 button jacket, which has a closing much closer to the neck than most jackets of today. In fact I am not even sure that the gentlemen shown are in fact wearing tweed jackets. They also have the advantage of wearing a plaid which adds a level of formality to the outfit. I think the use of belts without the use of a plaid with a tweed jacket, would look like a strange hodgepodge of outfits. Cheers

Ah, okay. My jacket is actually a greyish green tweed from circa 1960/70; but unfortunately, I don't have a plaid...

**Tobus** · 26th March 14, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by PiperOfThePlains

Personally, I think it looks classy; therefore, helping further formalize the outfit.

I'm not sure how to respond to that. The men in the portrait are wearing baldrics because they are carrying swords. What on Earth does that have to do with formal wear? And how would you pull off such a look if you're not actually carrying a sword on it?

The Sam Browne style belt of military tradition is a cool look too (similar to a baldric, but with no sword), but it's still got nothing to do with formal wear.