Belts and Vests

[ehiker]

So is there a hardfast rule against the belt and vest combo? What's the reason behind separating the two? Is it simply because it gets to "busy"?

I tried reading through the Kilt Do's and Don'ts, but... wow, I can't tackle that right now.

Also, what level of formality would a vest and long tie (both tuxedo black) take the kilt? I have two summer weddings lined up to attend this year, and both brides have requested my presence avec kilt. One is here in St. Louis in June, so I'm not terribly worried about the weather, but the other is in South Carolina in the middle of July, and I don't want to bake, so I'm trying to figure out what to wear instead of the jacket.

[Splash_4]

Man do I understand.... I have a wedding to attend in late June, in Albuquerque, OUTDOORS!!! I am debating between a short-sleeve, button down shirt, with tie (with or without jacket) or a polo shirt.... I am looking forward to the advice here.

[JimB]

In my humble opinion, there isn't a hard/fast rule about anything (well not much of anything). There are those that say you should never wear a belt with a vest. I think the logic is that the vest hides a bit of the belt and it looks too cluttered.
I think it makes sense to see how it really looks on. There are different vests and different belts. If you like the look, then fine, if not then change it. I go with what I think looks right for the particular occasion and don't have any hard/fast rules, except never ever ever wear a plaid shirt with a tartan kilt!

A long tie with black jacket to me would be a level of formality just like a black suit and black tie. Very dressy, suitable for most anything except the most formal of occasions. I would say that if you are just attending the wedding and not the groom, it would be most appropriate.

[caig]

My Clan Chief, Captain Alwyne Farquharson often wears a belt outside his waistcoat (vest to you Americans !). I attach a photo.

I so wear what you like.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g/RIMG0029.jpg

[McMurdo]

The only problem with wearing the waistcoat and belt together is is that the belt, or in truth the buckle tends to make the vest jut out at the bottom thus making the vest hang improperly.

As for your preposed wardrobe for said southern wedding I think a dress shirt, long tie and waistcoat would work out well, as I presume you are a guest, and not a member of the grooms' party.

[cavscout]

People wear belts with vests in many styles of clothing, so it's not that you should not wear a belt. The issue is the HUGE buckle.

The "traditional" waist plate style belt buckle that we see on most kilt belts is designed to be seen. Unless you're wearing a mid-riff vest so that it does not obscure the buckle wearing a buckle with the vest will be pointless and look too busy. The other issue is that a huge shiny buckle surrounded by all the shiny buttons on the coat and vest in conjunction with the shiny cantle on the sporran and probably a shiny kilt pin will be too much bling, kind of like a pimp peacock .

"Too Busy", Cluttered or gaudy is the number one sin that people commit when wearing the kilt. People tend to mix-n-match so many styles and formality levels that an outfit quickly becomes horrible to look at. K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Scotty) If in doubt, leave it out.

Black tie is black tie. It will look fine. Just ensure that the tie does not reach past the bottom of the vest. That would look very sloppy.

[arrogcow]

In "So You're Going To Wear the Kilt" it says to wear the belt with the bottom of the vest tucked under it.

Adam

[ehiker]

Do any of you even know how refreshing it is to ask a question or for advice and get such a great response?

More importantly, it doesn't seem that too many people concern themselves with stepping on toes and walking on eggshells, like I so often experience on other forums.

It's frustrating to post a project and ask for advice and constructive criticism, only to get 30 irrelevant comments that say, "looks great!".

Thank you, from the bottom of my kilt.

;)

Ethan

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Clan cheifs and Scotty Thompson notwithstanding, to me it seems a little unnatural to tuck my vest into my kilt. I would never tuck my vest into my pants, so why would I with the kilt?

I don't wear a belt with the vest because the vest would either fully or partially cover the belt. With no belt, there is a nice clean line from the vest to the kilt that looks very nice and neat.

Sometimes if I am wearing an open vest, I will wear a belt, but never with the vest closed.

Oh, and as for summer weddings, personally I'd wear a long sleeved shirt and then roll them up if I get warm. Long sleeves are a bit dressier than short sleeves. Someone told me once that anytime he saw a grown man in a short sleeved white shirt with a tie it made him think of Homer Simpson, and I've never worn them since! :-)

M

[Splash_4]

Someone told me once that anytime he saw a grown man in a short sleeved white shirt with a tie it made him think of Homer Simpson, and I've never worn them since! :-)

M

Well Said Matt!