Burns Night

[NewKilt]

Thanks to all. Matt, I am in awe of your knowledge. My wife and I have got to get down to North Carolina to see the Scottish Tartans Museum. Would really like to meet you. I'm really jonesing for those 2 canvas kilts I ordered.

Gentlemen, the quality of everything I have purchased from the Scottish Tartans Museum has been first rate. Plus it helps to support the Museum.

Darrell

[macwilkin]

Todd is correct that most Burns suppers are considered black tie events, but obviously there is some variation, like Jame's Burns bash in a pub. Our Burns Supper is on the small side, and less formal than most. We are just glad to get men out in their kilts, so we don't make too much of a fuss about the formality of dress. You'll see men in their Prince Charlie's dressed to the nines, and you'll see men in just a kilt and sweater -- and of course, a lot of in-between. The men who don't wear kilts usually wear "Sunday best."

And the variation is even present at the black tie dinners. At the largest Burns Supper I've been to, in St. Louis (average 400-500 in attendance), you will see everything from black tie/PC jackets down to sport coats. At our own Burns Supper, we average around 20 kilted gents with PCs or Argylls, and then the rest are in suits, blazers & grey flannels, etc.

Cheers,

Todd

[mbhandy]

Ours in Salt Lake (This Sat) request Sunday Best.

MrBill

[Taliesin]

My wife and I were given tickets to a local Burns Night for this January 19th. Attire is listed as "semi-formal". In standard U.S. Garb, that would mean a suit, or at least jacket and tie. My question is regarding kilted wear for the evening.

I have a casual Bear Kilt, cut at the "jeans waist", not the true waist, so I don't think an Argyll Jacket is going to look good. (Couldn't get one at this late date anyway, but there's nothing I can do about that.) Renting a kilt is not economically feasible, either.

Will my suit jacket and a collared shirt with a tie that matches the colors in my kilt work? If not, I'm going to end up wearing a suit, I think. I'd much rather wear my kilt, but I don't want to look completely out of place or anything. I also don't want to violate some dress code.

Thoughts? And thank you.

[macwilkin]

My wife and I were given tickets to a local Burns Night for this January 19th. Attire is listed as "semi-formal". In standard U.S. Garb, that would mean a suit, or at least jacket and tie. My question is regarding kilted wear for the evening.

I have a casual Bear Kilt, cut at the "jeans waist", not the true waist, so I don't think an Argyll Jacket is going to look good. (Couldn't get one at this late date anyway, but there's nothing I can do about that.) Renting a kilt is not economically feasible, either.

Will my suit jacket and a collared shirt with a tie that matches the colors in my kilt work? If not, I'm going to end up wearing a suit, I think. I'd much rather wear my kilt, but I don't want to look completely out of place or anything. I also don't want to violate some dress code.

Thoughts? And thank you.

I would wear the suit. A standard suit coat (not a kilt jacket) simply does not good, INMHO, with a kilt.
A number of gentlemen attend our Burns Supper each year in suits, and no one thinks any less of them.

Regards,

Todd

[pipesndrumsnun]

Will my suit jacket and a collared shirt with a tie that matches the colors in my kilt work? If not, I'm going to end up wearing a suit, I think. I'd much rather wear my kilt, but I don't want to look completely out of place or anything. I also don't want to violate some dress code. Thoughts? And thank you.

OR...if you or your wife are handy with needle and thread, you have plenty of time to turn a regular suit jacket into a kilt jacket. You'll find LOTS of helps and how-tos right here at X-Marks...many folks have done this, with great results!

[Taliesin]

I may read these how-to's, but I don't think that's going to happen for this outing. I can't alter my existing suit jacket, and we're definitely not handy with needle and thread! lol

The other thing I'm concerned about is how the argyll-style jacket will look with a low-waistband casual kilt? Anyone wore this?

[Panache]

I may read these how-to's, but I don't think that's going to happen for this outing. I can't alter my existing suit jacket, and we're definitely not handy with needle and thread! lol

The other thing I'm concerned about is how the argyll-style jacket will look with a low-waistband casual kilt? Anyone wore this?

Taiesin,

Argyll and other kilt jackets are cut short to emphasis the pleats of the kilt. I'm trying to picture low casual kilt with such a jacket and truly think that it won't work. Either the kilt will look to low or the jacket cut too high. If a 24" length would work for you I might take a look at Stillwater kilts and see what tartans they have in your size (a heavyweight would be best). Failing that or renting a traditional kilt I would say that Todd gave some great advice. Wear the suit! It is better to wear a suit well than a kilted outfit poorly. Especially at a Burns Supper where you are going to be standing next to a lot of well put together kilt outfits.

By the by, Burns never wore a kilt, he was a lowlander! An interest and appreciation for Burns' poetry and song is far more important than a kilt for a Burns Nigh Supper (liking scotch helps too )

Cheers

Jamie