Robin has a valid point.

Simply wearing a kilt in public makes a bold statement. Mine see more use in the woods than anywhere else. (Although black fly season is upon us now.) Going over the top with formality may be a bit too much for our town.

While I've yet to meet another kilted man in our sleepy northern city, I know they're up here. I'll attend a few more events first and get a better idea which type of dress is appropriate for the locals. The few black tie events we've attended in Duluth are for the mushing community. Bless their hearts, but some of them show up looking and smelling like their kennels, with their dogs waiting in the parking lot.

Thus far, my quiet life hasn't left me with a raft of medals to clutter my lapel. I'm not in the habit of wearing weaponry in public, so I'll reserve my nice new dirk for family gatherings. Even the cantle on my sporran is dulled from hand working the copper before plating, so it may not even cast a reflection.

In the mean time, I'll simply order another tailcoat, and use it to outfit BOTH styles of jackets. I still need more buttons though....lots of nice big shiny ones.

Kevin.