Kilted at 2 more-or-less formal events this past weekend

[MacConnachie]

Friday night was an annual "dress-up" cocktail party that my ex throws every year. Ladies dressed "to the nines," and some of the gents looking mighty formal, too. There are others who attend more to gawk at those dressing up than anything else, but to each, their own. Each year, I try to get a little dressier than the previous, when it comes to going to this event kilted. I think this one was about #7 in a kilt, but I have sort of lost track. Earliest ones were in my Mod. Htg. Robertson great kilt, but we are evolving. More gents in tuxes means more of an opportunity to try to "hit it," as far as I'm concerned. Last year, due to my weakened condition (had just had a chemo session earlier that day), I was thinner, so the only kilt in my possession at the time that really fit me properly was the Mod. Red Robertson. That, w/Argyle jacket, navy suede leather vest, silk shirt and lace jabot, cream hose w/black flashes, semi-formal dress sporran. I added a scarf in the same tartan that hangs past the waist in back if pinned/arranged properly in front of the epaulet, and I doubt that anyone at the party would have known the difference (I've got a pic, which I'll try to get scanned in one of these days, and post/link it.)

This year, thinking that the Argyle was OK, but not quite as formal as I would have wished, and not being able to afford the Montrose or Sherriffmuir doublet that I REALLY want, I opted for the archer green piper's doublet that I found (slightly) used on eBay last year. It has white piping, but otherwise makes a good case for a formal-looking doublet, and with the shoulder shells off, a nice black belt inserted in the belt hangers, and the front buttoned top to bottom, with jabot, that helped. Oh, and black silk Jacobite-style kilt shirt, which was barely visible. I wore my Mod. Htg. Robertson philabeg, with the semi-formal sporran (one of these days I'll purchase a fuzzier one, I guess), and bottle green hose with bright red flashes. A fly plaid and an antique plaid pin set it off. Even though you really couldn't see the laces that well, the footwear were ghillie brogues with leather soles (I'm quietly in search of a pair of size 13s with Doc Marten style soles, for comfort.) Reasonably formal looking, and somewhat uncomfortable. If I had it to do again, I'd have buttoned the second and third from the top, left the rest of the front of the doublet open, and moved the belt down onto the kilt.

Sunday evening was a somewhat formal dinner at a local restaurant for the department for which I work. My mode of dress was pretty similar to what I described above for the formal cocktail party LAST year, except that I wore a silk scarf in Mod. Red Robertson in the breast pocket, rather than the woolen scarf, and went with bottle green hose with the black hose flash.

Generally enjoyable evenings out, except that the temps were at or below zero F. when I ventured out, so my knees got fairly cold, especially when scraping the frost off the vehicle windows. Otherwise, I seemed to stay warm, or warmed up fairly quickly upon getting inside the venues.

Lots of comments from various folks at both places, complimenting me on the look.

[macgreggor]

MacConnachie,

My goodness, you and Ham will have to get together on of these days and compare notes!

Sounds like you make quite a splash on the dinner circle.

Have a grand holliday season and I hope the chemo is going well.

macG

[Sherry]

Well, MacC, you've got to get those pics up--now that you've got us all curious & expectant!

Sherry

[mbhandy]

Sounds pretty much to the nines to me.

MrBill

[GMan]

I really enjoy hearing these type of stories, it tells me that we as kilt wearers and those that adore them (the ladies) are doing something right.

With that said, all I have to say is ALRIGHT.