What to wear to a friend's wedding?

[Wareyin]

I have 2 weddings coming up, and I am planning to go kilted to both. This will be my first time publicly kilted, so I'm excited, but would like to get things right. I currently own an 8 yard Mackenzie Modern, even though I have no relationship that I am aware of. I just liked the tartan. I can't get either friend to nail down how formal their weddings will be, but one is being held at a fancy ballroom. Right now, I have a black day sporran, and lovat green hose. I plan on buying one jacket to go to both weddings, but am undecided on Prince Charlie, or Argyll. My wife loves the look of a PC, but I'm concerned about being over dressed, as I think the kilt will stand out on it's own. I also expect to have to buy a formal sporran.

So, I am asking for advice or opinions on Jacket, whether I should buy a "universal" tartan such as Black Watch, whether lovat green hose would go with Mackenzie at a wedding, and anything else, Please!


edited to add: I would love to buy my clan tartan, Watson, but that is not in the finances right now. I'm looking at the dreaded Pakistani jackets off eBay, as well as kilts from UtKilts.com

[Father Bill]

I have 2 weddings coming up, and I am planning to go kilted to both. This will be my first time publicly kilted, so I'm excited, but would like to get things right. I currently own an 8 yard Mackenzie Modern, even though I have no relationship that I am aware of. I just liked the tartan. I can't get either friend to nail down how formal their weddings will be, but one is being held at a fancy ballroom. Right now, I have a black day sporran, and lovat green hose. I plan on buying one jacket to go to both weddings, but am undecided on Prince Charlie, or Argyll. My wife loves the look of a PC, but I'm concerned about being over dressed, as I think the kilt will stand out on it's own. I also expect to have to buy a formal sporran.

So, I am asking for advice or opinions on Jacket, whether I should buy a "universal" tartan such as Black Watch, whether lovat green hose would go with Mackenzie at a wedding, and anything else, Please!


edited to add: I would love to buy my clan tartan, Watson, but that is not in the finances right now. I'm looking at the dreaded Pakistani jackets off eBay, as well as kilts from UtKilts.com

Hi there!

You have a whole raft of questions there, implicit and explicit, and I'll try to address as many as I can, understanding that the Great Rabble will have varying opinions on most of these points.

Let me start with the jacket. I personally find the Prince Charlie is over the top, so your instincts are good there, but in North America it does seem to be (sadly in my opinion) the "go-to" jacket. I would far rather recommend the ever so slightly less ostentatious Argyll. To be honest, I have a charcoal-grey (almost black) crail jacket with horn buttons that suits most occasions similar to what you're describing. Others will indeed wear the Prince Charlie, but in many cases that will be out of honest ignorance of its slim historicity and due to owning only a single jacket. Canny Scots wear what they have to save a pound or two, and that, laddy is critically important in all of the comments I have here.

The green hose will go with just about anything. Good choice. Recommend red (yes, that's right, red) self-tie garters. Red is actually considered to be fairly neutral. If you wear a sghian (and there's nothing that says you have to) make it a subdued black one. I wouldn't recommend the fancy metalic or antler sghians for this application. They're casual and over the top, and the plain black traditional handle is always acceptable. It should only stick out about an inch. Less is more! I cannot overstate that!

The consideration of Black Watch as "universal" has been discussed elsewhere. Although it's often seen that way, particularly in North America, there are some very good reasons to say that it isn't such. A careful and thorough search through this forum may get you some of that reasoning. Normally, I'd say stick with a tartan to which you have some name-connection if at all possible, but since you're on a budget and already have an 8 yard... I'd go with that and spend my cash on better quality elsewhere in your kit, or save for the Watson. The sting of poor quality lasts long after the sweetness of a good price is long forgotten.

A good look at the "1 kilt 10 looks" thread may be helpful: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/ I'd personally aim for something near Jamie's "Formal - Suit Equivalent" look (No. 7) or Glen's No.7 or 8. Another fellow to look at for the "Less is More" concept is our satorially excellent XMarker OC Richard. He always looks superb, rarely if ever wears a sghian, and never overdresses. That latter is the biggest error in North American attempts at Highland dress.

Your sporran needs to be of good quality. I personally would avoid the so-called "semi-formal" sporrans as there is considerable discussion also retrievable here that suggests that they are neither fish nor fowl and really don't do the job. I have a couple of day sporrans and a couple of formal sporrans, but I understand that isn't in the budget right now. Go with quality rather than glitz, which may mean a high quality day sporran. You won't regret it in the long run and if anyone is critical, sneer at them and ask if they're anxious to contribute to the cost of your next selection, then walk away. A good quality sporran is preferable to a trashy glitzy one.


I wish you well, and ask that you please give our best wishes and blessings to the happy couples!

Father Bill+

[plaid preacher]

I have 2 weddings coming up, and I am planning to go kilted to both. This will be my first time publicly kilted, so I'm excited, but would like to get things right. I currently own an 8 yard Mackenzie Modern, even though I have no relationship that I am aware of. I just liked the tartan. I can't get either friend to nail down how formal their weddings will be, but one is being held at a fancy ballroom. Right now, I have a black day sporran, and lovat green hose. I plan on buying one jacket to go to both weddings, but am undecided on Prince Charlie, or Argyll. My wife loves the look of a PC, but I'm concerned about being over dressed, as I think the kilt will stand out on it's own. I also expect to have to buy a formal sporran.

So, I am asking for advice or opinions on Jacket, whether I should buy a "universal" tartan such as Black Watch, whether lovat green hose would go with Mackenzie at a wedding, and anything else, Please!


edited to add: I would love to buy my clan tartan, Watson, but that is not in the finances right now. I'm looking at the dreaded Pakistani jackets off eBay, as well as kilts from UtKilts.com

I think my compadre :-) has given you some good advice. The McKenzie tartan is both a family as well as a regimental tartan and therefore is seen as being somewhat universal. As for your jacket - especially if you are buying your first one - should be a tweed. Fr. Bill's grey tweed would fit the bill, or a nice lovatt green would look great as well. Remember that in highland wear the tweed is the equivalent of a business suit.... and thus probably is the most consistent with what other guests will be wearing. My biggest regret in my kilt buying adventure is purchasing a BBSB Argyll jacket. While it is a beautiful jacket, it is neither "fish nor fowl" in terms of formality and therefore it is seldom worn. If you are going to get one jacket make it one you will wear - a nice tweed will fit that bill. As an added bonus, your daywear sporran will be perfect.

I say - take heart, you're almost there. Buy a nice jacket and your good to go. Enjoy the day.

[hylander]

Something to consider since you did not mention it in your post. Will anyone in the wedding party be kilted? If not you might reconsider going kilted. No bride likes to be upstaged and if you are the only one there kilted you, there is the danger of making one or more of the main participants upset. Someone else's wedding may not be the best venue to make your kilt debut. I'm speaking from a USA point of view, but if you are determined to make this your debut, you might want to ask someone who represents the brides perspective in the wedding party their opinion of you kilt plans. The reason you can't get your friends to commit to how formal the wedding will be may be because they don't know how to tell you nix on the kilt. Did you even mention to them you are considering wearing the kilt? Some may disagree with this advice, but to repeat the main point these weddings are not your days to shine. If you think I am wrong by all means go kilted, but don't be surprised if you get some cold shoulders and nasty glares. It might make for a less than positive kilt debut experience.

[Wareyin]

Something to consider since you did not mention it in your post. Will anyone in the wedding party be kilted? If not you might reconsider going kilted. No bride likes to be upstaged and if you are the only one there kilted you, there is the danger of making one or more of the main participants upset. Someone else's wedding may not be the best venue to make your kilt debut. I'm speaking from a USA point of view, but if you are determined to make this your debut, you might want to ask someone who represents the brides perspective in the wedding party their opinion of you kilt plans. The reason you can't get your friends to commit to how formal the wedding will be may be because they don't know how to tell you nix on the kilt. Did you even mention to them you are considering wearing the kilt? Some may disagree with this advice, but to repeat the main point these weddings are not your days to shine. If you think I am wrong by all means go kilted, but don't be surprised if you get some cold shoulders and nasty glares. It might make for a less than positive kilt debut experience.

I understand your concerns, however I think they do not apply in this case. For one wedding, the groom is the only one I know, and, even though his is the wedding in the more formal place (the Fox Theatre in Atlanta), he swears he is wearing shorts. Knowing his sense of humor, as well as many of his guests, I doubt he will have an issue. The bride is from out of the country, so we have never met.

In the second case, the couple loves the idea of my going kilted, they just have not settled on a venue.

[ctbuchanan]

I wear my kilt to weddings all the time so here are a few thoughts:

I agree that you should check with the bride first and if you are going to the wedding I assume you know her or the groom. I have never had one turn me down and most are enthusiastic as it adds a nice twist to the wedding, but do ask first.

I don't quite agree with the comments on the Argyll jacket. I have a black one and wear it as my formal wear - in Scotland it might not pass muster but here in the States I would be surprised if anyone you meet outside of a kilted group would notice in the least. I find it to be very versatile. But a nice tweed would work as well except if black tie is requested.

I have several sporrans for day wear but needed one to go with the Argyll. I settled on a black sting ray skin by Wyvern which I can use day or night. Although technically not formal I again fall back on the fact that literally no one knows that and I don't want to lay out the funds for a horse hair etc.

Enjoy wearing the kilt.

[hylander]

Sounds like you are good to go, enjoy!

[Wareyin]

Hi there!

You have a whole raft of questions there, implicit and explicit, and I'll try to address as many as I can, understanding that the Great Rabble will have varying opinions on most of these points.

Let me start with the jacket. I personally find the Prince Charlie is over the top, so your instincts are good there, but in North America it does seem to be (sadly in my opinion) the "go-to" jacket. I would far rather recommend the ever so slightly less ostentatious Argyll. To be honest, I have a charcoal-grey (almost black) crail jacket with horn buttons that suits most occasions similar to what you're describing. Others will indeed wear the Prince Charlie, but in many cases that will be out of honest ignorance of its slim historicity and due to owning only a single jacket. Canny Scots wear what they have to save a pound or two, and that, laddy is critically important in all of the comments I have here.

I am leaning towards the Argyll, as well. I have not worn a full suit in a decade, so I rather doubt this will be worn frequently, either.

The green hose will go with just about anything. Good choice. Recommend red (yes, that's right, red) self-tie garters. Red is actually considered to be fairly neutral. If you wear a sghian (and there's nothing that says you have to) make it a subdued black one. I wouldn't recommend the fancy metalic or antler sghians for this application. They're casual and over the top, and the plain black traditional handle is always acceptable. It should only stick out about an inch. Less is more! I cannot overstate that!

I'm not certain whether I will bother with a sgian or not. I rather doubt anyone in attendance will know what it is, or if it is missing should I choose not to wear one.

The consideration of Black Watch as "universal" has been discussed elsewhere. Although it's often seen that way, particularly in North America, there are some very good reasons to say that it isn't such. A careful and thorough search through this forum may get you some of that reasoning. Normally, I'd say stick with a tartan to which you have some name-connection if at all possible, but since you're on a budget and already have an 8 yard... I'd go with that and spend my cash on better quality elsewhere in your kit, or save for the Watson. The sting of poor quality lasts long after the sweetness of a good price is long forgotten.

The weddings will be in America. The bride in one is from South America, but I doubt that matters. I find the Black Watch tartan to be a little drab, so would prefer not to go that route, anyway. I have been considering a Pride of Scotland, though. Watson is a Sept of Buchanan, possibly, but I think the Buchanan would be overly bright to wear to a wedding.

A good look at the "1 kilt 10 looks" thread may be helpful: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/ I'd personally aim for something near Jamie's "Formal - Suit Equivalent" look (No. 7) or Glen's No.7 or 8. Another fellow to look at for the "Less is More" concept is our satorially excellent XMarker OC Richard. He always looks superb, rarely if ever wears a sghian, and never overdresses. That latter is the biggest error in North American attempts at Highland dress.

Your sporran needs to be of good quality. I personally would avoid the so-called "semi-formal" sporrans as there is considerable discussion also retrievable here that suggests that they are neither fish nor fowl and really don't do the job. I have a couple of day sporrans and a couple of formal sporrans, but I understand that isn't in the budget right now. Go with quality rather than glitz, which may mean a high quality day sporran. You won't regret it in the long run and if anyone is critical, sneer at them and ask if they're anxious to contribute to the cost of your next selection, then walk away. A good quality sporran is preferable to a trashy glitzy one.


I wish you well, and ask that you please give our best wishes and blessings to the happy couples!

Father Bill+

Thank you for the helpful advice! If I do get a new sporran, I will certainly steer clear of the semi-formal ones.

[ctbuchanan]

"Watson is a Sept of Buchanan, possibly, but I think the Buchanan would be overly bright to wear to a wedding."

Never! :-) It's all I ever wear. But Watson has it's own family tartan which is very nice as well. You should check that out.

Aye
CTBuchanan

[Father Bill]

A caution: when ye speak o' yer tartan, none are either drab nor bright; yer tartan's yer tartan, and tha's all there is to 't.