A case of the giggles

[PiobBear]

Do others sometimes feel that they've over-formalised, and had to live with a totally out of place look for a few hours?

No, I can't remember the last time that happened (It'd be just as embarassing to show up for a formal event "over-casualized"). I always strive to dress appropriate to the occasion, and if I ever have a question regarding the level of dress expected, I ask. It's really no more complex than Sassenach dress...actually it's somewhat easier; with a kilt I have the direct equivalent of blue jeans, slacks & a blazer, a conservative business suit, or a tuxedo all in one garment. It's simply a matter of knowing how to dress properly.

[McFarkus]

with a kilt I have the direct equivalent of blue jeans, slacks & a blazer, a conservative business suit, or a tuxedo all in one garment. It's simply a matter of knowing how to dress properly.

Well put!

[sporranlegionaire]

First off, sorry, my posting should have been within the current 'White hose...' thread and not as a new one.
I don't go to formal occasions as there aren't any that I know of in Devon...nor many (or any?) others who wear kilts for that matter (apart from an ecouraging correspondence from someone on Devon's south coast). Any opportunities to mix/meet with other kilted fellows, and show off my latest getup, is therefore zilch.
This is essentially an agricultural, dairy farming and seaside and ice cream county...kilts don't even come into the equation, and are as incongruous as perchancing a lawnmower salesman in the Sahara. I would imagine, this goes for much of England. There's not even the trendy cut of a Utilikilt in sight. To wear one of them on an evening downtown is probably just asking for a bloody nose, issued by a posse of farmhands the worse for too many jars of rough cider at 'The Flat Hedgehog'
So it's basically a case of dressing in a way that looks the least peculiar to the locals, which, let's face it, is pretty well impossible if a kilt is the main feature.
I prefer wearing kilts, but the only way it really works here is to come across as a guy who has a bizarre choice of garment. I'll get shot down for saying that, but you actually have to live in this part of the world as, so far it seems, a solo kiltist, to realise that it is unquestionably a bizarre image. Even if I were Scottish.
Wearing dainty whitish hose as well is a very big no-no.