Advice on buying traditional full dress

[Panache]

First off Granty666,

Welcome to X marks the Scot!

... I've decided on the 16oz Grant Hunting tartan manufactured by Glena and will probably go for a box pleat. I'd like to get the outfit made in Scotland

...But I know that our very own Matt Newsome makes a heck of a box pleat kilt, and can get the rest of the full dress outfit...

As nixphotography noted our own Matt Newsome makes Box Pleated kilts. It is an older style and oddly enough very few, if any Scottish Kilt makers are willing to make them. I believe Matt wrote on his blog that one maker referred to such a thing as a 4 yard box pleat as "a women's skirt". If you have your heart set on the box pleat style (or would like to know about their history) you should check out Matt's site. There is a lot of good information there.

http://albanach.org/

All good advice here. The only thing I would add is, since you are looking for the whole outfit, look for places that will provide the whole outfit. If you buy it all at once, the companies will often give you a discount.

Look at the link in the top left hand corner of your screen. The Kilt Store offers a discount to X Marks members and have various kilt outfit packages that might fit your needs. They don't offer box pleat 4 yard kilts but do have 5 yard Casual kilts (larger pleats in back than a traditional "tank")

One final bit of advice. If you intend to buy your jacket ask yourself the following. How often do I expect to dress at Black Tie Formal events?
If the answer is "often" get a PC (Prince Charlie) jacket and waistcoat. If the answer is "seldom" consider a black argyle outfit with matching vest. The argyle jacket, worn with a vest (or even a flyplaid) can be dressed up to almost black tie levels of formality. PC jackets (like fly plaids) are solely formalwear.

Hope this was of some help.

Cheers

P.

[cacunn]

First off Granty666,
How often do I expect to dress at Black Tie Formal events?
If the answer is "often" get a PC (Prince Charlie) jacket and waistcoat. If the answer is "seldom" consider a black argyle outfit with matching vest.
P.

Panache has a good thought a PC and formal accessories can run in to a good deal of money. How often are you going to be fully formal where a PC would be necessary? If these are few and far between then an argyle jacket, worn with a vest (or even a flyplaid) will be a lot more versatile. A PC is pretty but if it sits in the closet most of the time, spend the extra money on fun accessories.


Welcome to XMTS

[Granty666]

Thanks for some great advice, I'll keep you posted as to how I get on.

I have another question, I'm hoping to commission a sgian dhub (damascus blade) from Cranart or some one similar and fancy having a inscription inlaid into the hilt - I've heard of a sgian in Inverarary, that carries a gaelic inscription being translated, reads 'Give me blood for I am thirsty'. can anyone please give me the true gaelic version (if possible identical to the one on the original) It seem most fitting.

[McMurdo]

For a sgian dubh
You might want to check out Rab Gordon, he is a member here and I have never heard a bad thing about his work, below is his website:

http://www.rainnea.com/sgian-dubhs.htm

Also I have been thinking about it have you thought about Geoffrey Tailors for everything else you need, here is the website for them:


http://www.geoffreykilts.co.uk/gt_welcome.htm


Good luck with it, don't be in a rush and I am sure you will be happy with your choice.

[Rampant Lion]

Thanks for some great advice, I'll keep you posted as to how I get on.

Definitely keep us posted. I'm playing with the idea of getting myself a tank in the Grant hunting as well. I'd really like to see how it all turns out.

[LordKiltClad]

Granty666,
I went through the same process you're going through almost a year ago. Got married June 3rd, 2006, and only had a cheap acrylic/polyester kilt Jan. 2006. By the time I was done, with a Price Charlie Vest & Jacket, Fly Plaid, brooch, hose, flashing, ghillies, kilt belt, sgian dubh, buckle, MacKenzie Modern Tank 16oz. wool knife pleat kilt, and kilt pin, I was at $1,350. My wife was upset because my outfit cost more than hers. And I'll be wearing it more than once.
Pictured here:

Ignore the Sword. That was an extra $2,000 that you're not looking for, but We did cut the cake with it.

As many have stated, getting a PC is an expensive undertaking. As I attend formal events often (3+ or so a year) it was a wise investment. Events like Military balls, or formals give cause for it. Nothing looks sharper at a ball than a full PC and Tank.

My Tank, PC, and limited accessories came from www.ScotlandForever.net Only used them because they are local (located just outside of Dallas), and I could goto them to get measured. But things like my Utilikilt I measured myself using the online instructions. Again as others have mentioned that.

PM me or email me, and I can give you some pictures from our wedding for ideas. Tartan ribbon around the grooms cake, kilted groom and bride picture frame, etc.

[scoutniagara]

If you look at my avatar, I wear an Argyle jacket... with a tux shirt, bow tie, formal fur sporran, black cairn gorm Sgian Dhub, ghillies and cuff links, it's fine for my mess dinners and formal occasions. An Argyl jacket is much more flexible for occasions.

[davedove]

If you look at my avatar, I wear an Argyle jacket... with a tux shirt, bow tie, formal fur sporran, black cairn gorm Sgian Dhub, ghillies and cuff links, it's fine for my mess dinners and formal occasions. An Argyl jacket is much more flexible for occasions.

No doubt about it, the Argyle can be made more or less formal based on what you wear with it. You can't really do that very well with the Prince Charlie (or the Irish Brian Baru for that matter). If a person can only afford one, I would say go with the Argyle.

Now, I will say that if you put the two jackets side by side, the Prince Charlie does look a bit more formal.

[Warhoover]

I can see using an Argyle with vest and fly plaid for dress, but what do you do for hose? Would you wear diced hose with an Argyle, vest and FP? (God forbid the WHITE hose!!! eeek!!!) Also could you go "formal" with an Argyle in a different color than black? Would tweed be more relagated for daywear?

[macwilkin]

I can see using an Argyle with vest and fly plaid for dress, but what do you do for hose? Would you wear diced hose with an Argyle, vest and FP? (God forbid the WHITE hose!!! eeek!!!) Also could you go "formal" with an Argyle in a different color than black? Would tweed be more relagated for daywear?

Most agree that a tweed kilt jacket, the equivalent of the Saxon "sport coat", is not a formal garment.

The Argyll jacket is an entirely different creature -- neither "fish, flesh nor fowl", it is roughly equivalent to a dark suit, yet it can be worn with a formal shirt and black tie -- although my good friend the "clothes horse" disagrees with this, because the Argyll has notched lapels, and true formal wear should only have rounded ones. Personally, I think they look better with a dress shirt and a necktie, but again, that's just me.

I personally don't like the look of a fly plaid with an Argyll jacket, since the Argyll is not a "full formal" -- but then again, I only wore a fly plaid with my PC at my wedding -- a PC really isn't "formal" enough, INMHO, for one. Now, with a Sheriffmuir doublet, they are stunning and almost a necessity.

Again, these are my opinions only. I wouldn't dream of telling someone they're wrong, just offering my thoughts. Different horses for courses and all that.

Regards,

Todd