Suggestions on jackets ?

[Caradoc]

Think of the kilted equivalent of a tuxedo and a conservative business suit.

They're not implying, they're specifying; that's precisely what "formal" means in men's attire (personally, I'll pass on the frilly shirt in favor of a pleated one).

I, too, would pass on the frilly shirt.

This article describes the various levels.

"Formal," for me, generally means dark suit, tie, cufflinks, the works.

"Black tie" would be a tux.

I've never been invited to a white tie affair, so I don't know what I'd wear. Probably rent something in a tail coat, assuming I wasn't going kilted. Black Prince Charlie, white waistcoat, white tie, silver-and-fur sporran, and tartan hose would probably fit the occasion.

[scoutniagara]

Frilly shirts are out (actually not allowed while working as a dance instructor on cruise ships), pleats or no pleats are in but with French cuffs. I wear both wing-tip and lay-down collars, depending upon my tie. I don't like wing collars with European ties. Semi-formal is business suit or even a sport jacket/dress slacks, with long-sleeved shirt and long tie. Formal means tuxedo, but since many people don't have a tux, a dark business suit is being accepted now, especially on cruise ships. If people want to indicate proper formal attire, it's usually posted as black tie/white tie, with white tie being the most formal.

A Montrose or PC is formal, but since the number of times I'd wear it are limited, I simply add a pleated French-cuffed shirt, white/black bowtie to my hunting MacIntosh, Argyll navy jacket with badger-furred sporran, and no one's asked me to leave a full mess dinner, yet.



Photo of my wife and me, but I'm not kilted.

[Panache]

scoutniagara,

You two look like you are ready to dance the night away! An all white tux is a pretty difficult thing to pull off. Well done! But how is your fox trot?

Cheers

Jamie

[Caradoc]

But how is your fox trot?

That's a darned nice all-white outfit.

But that's a silly question, Jamie... even *I* can foxtrot, and my dancing has been known to be hazardous to my partner.

And spectators...

And the DJ...

[Graywolf]

This discussion will never end, because generally, Americans are offended by any restrictions on their fee choices. The only people on Earth who are possible worse are: a) Australians - who pride themselves in both defying traditoin and following it, and b) New Zealanders, who at least have a culture, Maori, that tends to keep thm in line.

To the heart of the matter - Buy Thompson's book, you cannot go wrong by following it.

PS

To all the Aussies and Kiwis out ther prompted to reply - if "she" gets in the White House in 2008 - I will be a resident of one or the other.

[Barclay]

^^Definitely in the running for most bizarre post ever....and what it has to do with kilt jackets completely escapes me.^^

I decide on a black Argyle because of the flexibility of being able to dress it up, as well as wear it for "business-y" dress. For the few times that I have actually needed a PC (4 in 25 years), I have rented one. In my mind, and for my uses, there's no point in my investing $300 on a jacket and waistcoat that will probably spend most of its life in the closet. I fell in love with David Dalglish's blue PC, though. It is awesome looking! I would love to have a green one to match the majority of my kilts, but just can't justify it. I'll stick with the Argyle and rent the PC when I need it.

ScoutNiagra - that is a great looking, though bifurcated, outfit! (Just avoid red wine.) And I must say, quite the lovely lady on your arm.

[arrogcow]

To the heart of the matter - Buy Thompson's book, you cannot go wrong by following it.

Actually you can based on opinion here. For instance almost everyone here says you should not wear a belt with a waistcoat. Thompson says to wear the belt with the tails of the waistcoat tucked into it.

Adam

[Graywolf]

What Thompson actually says is that the trend is for waistcoats to be worn less and less and belts more and more. The idea is that nothing should cover the belt. Hence, I infer, I am not sure if he implied, it is best to wear a belt without the waistcoat, and vice versa. However, if wear both, the waistcoat should not cover the belt.

[freddie]

In Highlandwear terms the word 'Dress' means formal. So when you're wearing 'Full Dress' it used to mean a really bright kilt (that's why 'Dress Tartans' were invented) and silver mounted sporran, doublet (jacket) with silver buttons and plaid and all your accessories (sgian dhu, belt buckle) were jeweled. In modern, less flamboyant times, all this has been replaced by the Prince Charlie and Vest (the Scottish equivelant of the Tuxedo or Dinner jacket) ALWAYS worn with a bow tie please! The older style doublets, Kenmore, Montrose, Regulation (although the old ones were double breasted and the modern one is just a Prince Charlie with Highland flaps (or skirts) - yes the only time a Scotsman will wear a skirt ! - sewn on) and Sherrifmuir are a throwback to the olden days and should always be worn with the frilly lace jabot and Highland Cuffs and look naked without a plaid. Of course this all looks great at a Grand Ball or a high class dinner but there are times when it would be considered 'over the top'. For these occasions they produced the 'Daywear' tweed Argyll jacket in a more expensive black cloth like Barathea and replaced the normal horn buttons with polished silver ones and mixed the plain leather 'Daywear' sporran and the silver 'Dress' sporran and called the outfit 'Semi Dress', a halfway house between the Daywear and Full Dress styles, which is great because it makes the kilt more versatile.

[Howard Clark]

In all honesty, where I am located, there are not that many that would know much of this with respect to wearing a kilt, I suspect. I could of course be wrong, and often have been.

I do appreciate all the helpful advice, and bought a Crail jacket. Thanks for the input !