What the heck do I wear?

[macwilkin]

Graham,

I agree with Doc H. on this one -- a tie shows a professional demeanor. If they are expecting the stereotype of Australians, show them that's only in the movies. If you don't have a jacket, then the shirt & tie should be fine.

My grandfather, who was an Iowa farmer, always wore a suit & tie to church. He said it showed respect for the institution he was attending.

T.

[Dreadbelly]

How does a noose, er, a tie, show respect by wearing it?

I have always wanted to know...

It because you show you are willing to strangle your self to look nice? A symbolic noose around your neck to show you were submissive to those greater to you?

How does wearing a tie show respect... I really want to see somebody answer that.

[bubba]

Graham, you should find out just how formal or informal the event is first. In most cases I think a nice shirt with tie and waistcoat would be sufficient. If it's hot skip the jacket. You COULD wear an Akubra just for fun.

[Riverkilt]

Easy solution...Glen's the Denver local....ask him

Ron

[GMan]

Easy solution...Glen's the Denver local....ask him

Ron

Glen? Glen who?

Graham, if it is to be at the hotel that you are going to be at do not worry about a tie. Even if it is not at the hotel, do not worry about the tie! Denver is very lose on the formalities especially in the summer, when you wear your kilt a nice collared dress shirt and yes your hat, everything will be fine trust me I do it all the time. If you feel like it still is not dressy enough, a nice Jacobite shirt does well (it gets me into the symphony and other events without any problem) a little bit showy perhaps but no complaints from those in attendance.

Be cool and be Graham!

See ya' soon!

[Bill]

Hello Graham!

Have you given thought to a plain shirt of a color complimentry to your kilt combined with a waistcoat and tie? The combination should be cool enough for the weather and still look sharp. I find that the trick for me wearing a tie in warm weather (somthing I must do for my job) is to be sure that the collar is loose enough that your neck can breath but not so loose that you have a huge gap.

Wish I lived closer to Denver it would be great to make your aquaintance in person hope you have a great time and many blessings!

Bill

[jjoseph]

How does a noose, er, a tie, show respect by wearing it?
How does wearing a tie show respect... I really want to see somebody answer that.

All clerical (and by extension lay) garb when acting in office of a religious organization is expected to convey the identity of the office and duties. Wearing a habit, collar, white shirt/tie, choir robe, etc. all show that your interest is the work/ministry you perform rather than self-expression. This is why we have uniforms in the military as well. UNI (one, all the same) FORM (shape). It says to the person you serve that you have set your own interests aside in order to take on the office and represent the people/organization/god of that office.

All professionals (those who PROFESS an oath when they take on their vocation, eg. doctors, lawyers, judges, clerics) were at one time required to wear distiguishing garb. Hence the white wigs and robes of judges, nurses' white hats, university professor's robes, etc.

I live in the conservative part of the west (and Denver/Colorado Springs are conservative... it's Boulder where we Bohemians hang!) and I agree w/ Doc H. that a coat/tie would be appropriate; they can always be removed. As for the kilt, I would wear it if I were not officiating with the caveat that it would be okay regardless if it were part of my function (representing Scotish Rite, etc.) Just my 2 cents and some rambling. All in all, this IS the small stuff, ya know.

Scotty

[Dreadbelly]

Oh come on Todd, let's not argue, let's talk...

Tie wearing is all about dominant culture.

Some group of folks that go around the world taking over other people's lands and nations all went around saying "Wear this or you are savages! You dress our way or we will mock you and make fun of you! We will call you ignorant and boorish." And these poor cultures, who wore clothing highly adapted to their environment, had to do it to satisfy the people taking their lands and making their lives hell. From the poor savages of Africa, to the half naked savages of America, to the poor battered people of India, a dominant culture spread all around the world and forced people to conform to a pattern of dress that was entirely impractical for many climates and lifestyles.

Just because some people now refuse to conform to this dominant culture does ot make us any less... We choose to do what we do because it's comfortable and it makes sense.

Isn't that why many of us took up kilts in the first place? To break away from conformity?

[highlander_Daz]

I cant see how something like a tie can cause such a fuss, I dont like this "fashion" of wearing a suit and not wearing a tie, I think if your wearing a jacket then a tie is appropriate, I dont see it as a symbol of oppression.

I have a tie with Saltires on it so it becomes quite the opposite, a symbol of my country, thats why I like Tartan ties they can become a symbol of family and unity.
The reason a tie shows a degree of respect is because its an effort to choose, tie and wear in hot climates so you show your host you have gone to a degree of "trouble" to look smart.

I suppose im old fashioned but I think that ones presentation and appearence speaks volumes about oneself, if I was attending a job interview I would expect to lose marks for not wearing an appropriate outfit.

I recently attended a wedding in England and was suprised to see how little effort some of the guests had made, some of the women wore denim and had tattoos on full display!!! OK people can dress as they like but its a matter of respect.
maybe thats why Kilts are so good-you can wear them on almost any occasion dressed up and down and people ALWAY think youve made and effort!!

[Dreadbelly]

Daz, we agree.

Wearing a kilt, you could almost pull off any sort of look you wanted. And some folk would think you made some degree of effort.

Nothing like freedom eh?

Thank you. You said that quite well.