Personal flair

[Jock Scot]

Hypothetically, what would you wear to the CDUSA banquet/ball? Based on the photo of Lord MacDonald at the one in 2014. What would you wear to the dinner photo of Lord MacDonald with the kilted and white tie guests?

In part I'm wondering what the best outfit would be for all black tie occasions? Lord MacDonald seems to like his black balmoral doublet with the argyle hose for a wide range of formal events.

CDUSA? I am sorry, but I don't know what that alludes to. I think that I understand the USA bit but, CD? Until I understand more fully, I think that it is impossible for me to give best advice.

I don't think it is possible to have and wear a single general purpose "best outfit for all black tie occasions". Some, can be dressed up a fair bit like a Prince Charlie(PC) and some can be dressed down a tad, like Lord MacDonald's velvet doublet. In these cases it isn't what you might choose for any given event, but its is the WHERE and WHY the event is happening that guides ones attire choices, the WHAT must take third place. If you don't understand that and just rely on the WHAT, then the chances of getting one's attire choice awry increases greatly.

I have worn a PC quite happily in my youth and these days, I wear either a black barathea silver buttoned argyll (BBSBA)------ which doubles for formal day attire with drop down tie------, or a rifleman green velvet argyll when dressing for dinner at home or when dressing for dinner when visiting someone's home for dinner.

When I used to venture out to the far more usual formal evening events . For basic black tie events I used to usually wear a BBSBA as a base and then dress it up, with a black three buttoned waistcoat and if really necessary patterned hose. With this attire I would wear my plain black McRostie sporran(personal flair?) and well polished black brogues.

When venturing out to rather smarter events then I wore a rifleman green velvet sheriffmuir jacket and black bow tie and for the far less common white tie event, I would substitute the bow tie for a jabot, when I added a dress sporran, patterned hose and buckled shoes then I could go to white tie events without comment.

However if you really want my opinion for ONE do-it-all outfit that can be dressed up and down, not easy as I have now explained -------but won't do for white tie events, or formal day attire---- is the seemingly much frowned upon on this website, is the really well fitted PC.