Bow tie with 5 button waistcoat?

[The Wizard of BC]

I don't care what anyone says but these guys knew how to rock a tux with simple elegance.



So did this guy.



Black tie is when the KISS principle is called for. Keep It Simple Stupid.

A large part of Elegance is the ability to carry off simplicity with grace. Not sticking out like someone trying too hard to be noticed. Elegance is about the man in the clothing not about the clothes the man is wearing.

[FossilHunter]

I don't care what anyone says but these guys knew how to rock a tux with simple elegance.

So did this guy.

Black tie is when the KISS principle is called for. Keep It Simple Stupid.

A large part of Elegance is the ability to carry off simplicity with grace. Not sticking out like someone trying too hard to be noticed. Elegance is about the man in the clothing not about the clothes the man is wearing.

That's tuxedos though. And kilted dress will always stand out if comparing it to a group in tuxedos. You can try and get your kilted outfit as close to a tux as you want but you can't get around the fact that you have a large plaid garment wrapped around your waist.

A green jacket would look out of place with a tux but if you have a tartan kilt with green in it, I don't see how it would be any more bizarre.

[Jock Scot]

..................

A large part of Elegance is the ability to carry off simplicity with grace. Not sticking out like someone trying too hard to be noticed. Elegance is about the man in the clothing not about the clothes the man is wearing.

Exactly so! Many miss this salient point and particularly so, with the lower end of formal evening kilt attire.

[Tobus]

Awesome. Bob Hope, John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Don Draper all in one thread! I have to agree, those guys were prime examples of how to look suave in black tie. There's more to it than the elements of the outfit; it's about looking comfortable and relaxed. So many people who put on evening wear look like they're stiff and miserable.

The point is well-made, though: evening wear really should be kept simple and elegant. Highland conventions notwithstanding, you can never go wrong by keeping it simple.

If I were considering the original question here, I would make my decision based on context. Wearing a green Argyll jacket to a black tie event would be fine for a Highland-themed event where there will be lots of kilts worn, whether with a 3-button or 5-button waistcoat, black or green, or no waistcoat at all. If it were some other event where I'd be the only one in a kilt, I'd probably stick with a black jacket and no waistcoat so as to "bridge the gap" between Highland and non-Highland traditions.

[FossilHunter]

Exactly so! Many miss this salient point and particularly so, with the lower end of formal evening kilt attire.

What are your thoughts on a bottle green argyle jacket for black tie? All other aspects being the same as a black jacket as far as accessories. Solid hose, polished brogues, etc.

Personal flair or over egging the cake?

[Jock Scot]

What are your thoughts on a bottle green argyle jacket for black tie? All other aspects being the same as a black jacket as far as accessories. Solid hose, polished brogues, etc.

Personal flair or over egging the cake?

It depends on the shade of green, I think. There is a distinct possibility of over egging the cake with the wrong shade of green. Personally, black looks rather smart for the lower end black tie events, it’s not the place for being adventurous with jacket colours.I cannot really see why anyone would want any other colour other than black. However it’s your choice on what you wear and where you wear it, but I would advise caution.

Just a thought. A white dress jacket, black waistcoat,or cummerbund, in the tropics ......”Red Sea rig” ......was an effective alternative in the past, but apart from James Bond, I am not at all sure if many civilians wear it these days.

[FossilHunter]

It depends on the shade of green, I think. There is a distinct possibility of over egging the cake with the wrong shade of green. Personally, black looks rather smart for the lower end black tie events, it’s not the place for being adventurous with jacket colours.I cannot really see why anyone would want any other colour other than black. However it’s your choice on what you wear and where you wear it, but I would advise caution.

Just a thought. A white dress jacket, black waistcoat, in the tropics ......”Red Sea rig” ......was an effective alternative in the past, but apart from James Bond, I am not at all sure if many civilians wear it these days.

Very dark green and only because I like the color. I like that it is a bit different but not enough to be an eyesore (to my eye anyway), because it is so dark.

If the argyle is most suited to the lower end of black tie formality, are you suggesting that black is the only suitable color for that style of jacket? It’s certainly the most common but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything because white socks are common too.

[Jock Scot]

You will probably get away with dark green. The question you have to ask yourself is, “ do I want to dress to best effect?” If you do, then thought is required with your purchases. If little thought is used then expensive trial and error is the path you are on. You may think you have made the right choice, but if doubt is there working away, then perhaps a re- think might be on the cards. It’s your choice.

White socks are most definitely common!

[FossilHunter]

You will probably get away with dark green. The question you have to ask yourself is, “ do I want to dress to best effect?” If you do, then thought is required with your purchases. If little thought is used then expensive trial and error is the path you are on. You may think you have made the right choice, but if doubt is there working away, then perhaps a re- think might be on the cards. It’s your choice.

White socks are most definitely common!

I didn’t have doubt until this thread went from button count to color!

But that is the organic nature of forums and it leads to good discussion and I’ve seen reasoned and varying opinions here. Even if I get a green jacket and someone else hates it, at least I will have at least considered other views on it. I’d much prefer to do something unusual with intent rather than ignorance.

[Blaidd]

Just a thought. A white dress jacket, black waistcoat,or cummerbund, in the tropics ......”Red Sea rig” ......was an effective alternative in the past, but apart from James Bond, I am not at all sure if many civilians wear it these days.

Still worn extensively in the military messes for black tie events. For formal Regimental dinner nights, Serving members exchange their normal barathea mess jackets for a lighter white (cotton) version. (I agree though that in civilian circles, their occurrence is less prevalent).