Wedding Attire for attendee?

[DotDLL]

A pair of friends are getting married in a few months, and I've been both invited as an attendee (but not in the wedding party), and permitted to wear a kilt by those getting married (with one spouse-to-be inquiring about kilt options for the other spouse, but that's not the target of my question, here).

I'm wondering what to wear. The style of wear being asked for is, "cocktail" attire. From knowing and talking with the couple, this isn't quite black tie (but I suspect such would be ok), but isn't as informal as t-shirt wear either. If anything, it's at least a bit more formal than typical business-casual.

I am fortunate enough to have some options for kilt wear, including, but not limited to:
- a few jackets meant for kilt wear, including a black, Argyle jacket, plus a few other jackets in non-black tweeds.
- a few higher-end vests, one in black (which was sold with the black, Argyle jacket), and the rest are (mostly) shades of brown
- a few kilts in (universal) tartans, plus one in tweed
- at least one, fur sporran with a polished metal cantle, plus a few, leather, day sporrans
- lots of options for hose, including black and white, among other mostly-solid colors. I do, also, have a pair of red + black diced hose with plain, non-castellated, tops.
- ghillie brogues in both black and brown
- various dress shirts and ties

I'd like this to look good, but don't want to go too far out, and I want to leave out some of the more high-end, or outright costume-y type bits (such as frilly shirts or shoulder plaids, not that I find anything terribly wrong with those, though!).

Any suggestions? Thoughts? Tips? Critiques?

Have I, perhaps, answered my own question(s)?

[KiltedSergeant]

I believe you could wear either a bow tie, or necktie, but I prefer to over dress slightly rather than under dress, so I would go with a bow tie, however the necktie would be fine. I think the black Argyll and waistcoat would be appropriate, though with the necktie you could lose the waistcoat, if you like. Any kilt will do, but I would wear a nicer day sporran rather than the fur, cantled one. Black sporran and shoes.. Hose that goes with kilt or shirt, but not white, diced, or ecru. Have fun!

Just my humble thoughts.

[Wareyin]

Will the wedding be evening or day? If evening, I would think the Argyle, vest, fur sporran, and solid hose.

If day, your options really open up.

[Tarheel]

I've learned in the last few years that if I am a guest, I tone down my attire. A simple jacket instead of the PC, a good tie and not my splashier ones, etc. I bet your first pick from the closet would be the best choice for the occasion (just from the thoroughness of your inquiry). Consider a pocket kerchief and a watch on a chain if you want to "dress fancy". Enjoy the event either way.

[Taskr]

Traditionally, Cocktail attire for men is dark suit and tie. Here is one more modern take on the dress code: https://www.dmarge.com/2018/04/how-t...ktail-men.html

Personally, I would wear a darker (or any) tweed with a sharp dress shirt and tie and smart leather sporran. Plain hose that compliment. Plain black or wingtip shoe. Leave the bling bits at home. Dress to be comfortable and noticed, not noticeable
Enjoy!!

[Father Bill]

The problem with terms such as "cocktail dress" is that whatever definition they may have from one "authority" to another, the couple in question may have a totally different meaning. For that reason, I'd straight out ask what they expect their other guests to wear and then match into that level, recognizing of course that the "translation" to Highlandwear may be another whole conundrum.

Having said that, I'm not imagining that you'll be compared to a pack of other kilties who all have a similar level of dress and with whom you should coordinate.

[kingandrew]

I, too, wonder what time of day the event is to take place. There are different options, depending on whether it is a daytime or evening wedding.

That said, Taskr's advice seems to pretty well jibe with what I would suggest. If I were going kilted to a daytime wedding as a guest, I'd go with my tweed Argyll jacket and vest, with appropriate coordinating accessories. For evening, I could stick with the same outfit, or be a bit dressier, depending on how formal the hosts want it to be.

"Cocktail" dress is pretty vague direction. In the USA most folks know little enough about dress codes. I think hosts would do well to be pretty explicit if they want guests to get it right. Phrases like "suit and tie for men, short or mid-length dress for women" would likely get better results than telling people to dress for cocktails or afternoon tea.

So don't be afraid to ask them for more details or even run your look by the hosts if you are concerned about its acceptability.

Andrew

[Manu]

To me, personally, black Argyle is best suited for black tie events, as is the PC. Cocktail party attire seems a step or two below black tie. I think tweed jacket with waistcoat and tie would be fine for this event, regardless of the time. Although I second me fellow kilties in maybe inquiring a bit further from the happy couple as to what they expect.

[Jock Scot]

Alright then, the trick is to ask yourself what you would wear if you were not going to wear the kilt. When you have an answer, then convert that to kilt attire, which is not always easy to find an exact comparison. So, to help lets work on a basic comparison list.

Lounge/business suit = Any colour tweed kilt jacket(grey or black TWEED for the more smart suit occasions).

Formal day dress(morning dress)= Black barathea silver buttoned argyll(BBSBA), drop down tie, plain hose.(the silver buttons could be replaced by black buttons to very effectively tone down the formality a tad).

Formal evening attire= BBSBA+ black bow tie, Prince Charlie + black bow tie.

I don't think that we need to go any further and you will note there is no real kilt equivalent to sports jackets and blazers, but toning down the tweed option and accessories, to pullovers, or just a waistcoat, or smart shirt could possibly be an option.

In my experience there are not many cocktail parties as such these days and perhaps the more broad description of "a drinks do" might suffice? Depending on how smart that might be, a pair of properly cut tartan trews with a saxon cut blazer( or less often, a kilt jacket) is often the choice of more than a few over here.

[McMurdo]

The last wedding I attended was my nephew's, he wanted to wear a Prince Charlie as it was going from day to night. I was contemplating my kilt suit but did not want to overshadow anyone. I decided to order a black argyll jacket as I did not have one and thought this would be fitting as the only other gents in kilts were the groom in his Prince Charlie and the piper in a black vest. Here are the photos from the day that I have.




I gave him the sgian dubh as a present.

Other than that I would go with something like this depending on what the bride and groom have to say after double checking it all