What Makes a Kilt Formal?

[davedove]

Formal accessories can be nice too:

[Daaaaang]

I think kilts with more white on them look more formal (especially most "dress" tartans). I think they look odd worn casually. I know this isn't a rule or anything, just personal taste, but I'm wondering if anyone else agrees.

[James MacMillan]

I think kilts with more white on them look more formal (especially most "dress" tartans). I think they look odd worn casually. I know this isn't a rule or anything, just personal taste, but I'm wondering if anyone else agrees.

That can be true with some clans that have designated different tartans for different events.

I don't yet have a true formal "dress" tartan, but I will soon have my Leatherneck Urban Warfare tartan number 16 which might qualify.

[James MacMillan]

Formal accessories can be nice too:

Nice accessories! What's hanging around your neck?

[DTrain]

I believe that accessories are about 90% of the formal look. Obviously there are some kilts that cannot be "dressed up" to formal. Most, but not all, kilts will look great paired with a prince charlie and dress sporran. A handsewn, all-wool kilt even more so, but a more casual kilt will often pass muster.

Part of the issue not previously mentioned is the AUDIENCE present. If you were to go to a Burns Night with several knowlegdeable (and well dressed) kilties, a casual kilt would stand out more. If you were to go to an event where you were the only one kilted, then a casual kilt with formal accessories would be fine. I believe that 95% of people would never know the difference. Would it matter to you?

[fluter]

Ah but Grant that photo is of us all in Semi-Formal wear, the question was what makes an outfit Formal. None of us were Formal that night.

Guys, remember that it was a Yank who asked the question. To us, formal means "I wore both shoes and socks."

And BTW Semi-Formal is a term of art more easily applicable to women's dress than men. However traditionally it meant black tie.

[Riverkilt]

For me, "formal" means my best stuff. Thats my hand sewn wool kilts.

A fellow could wear a polyesther suit to a formal affair, but he'd look and feel better in a wool suit.

As often mentioned on this board there is nothing like the feeling of strapping on a hand sewn 16 ounce wool tartan kilt in a tartan that is meaningfull to the owner.

It just feels better to me to be kilted up in my best at a "formal" occasion.

Course out here in the canyonlands "formal" means best boots, best jeans, a western cut sport jacket, bolo tie and all the turquoise jewelry you can attach to yourself.

Ron

[McMurdo]

Guys, remember that it was a Yank who asked the question. To us, formal means "I wore both shoes and socks."

And BTW Semi-Formal is a term of art more easily applicable to women's dress than men. However traditionally it meant black tie.

Well sorry Fluter but we are talking Formal kilt/Formal kilt outfit, so I still stand by my original comments

1.that a formal outfit should not include a Sportkilt.

2. None of us were formally dressed in the photo Grant posted, we were in Semi-Formal kilt outfits.

As for Semi-Formal being more applicable to women, why then do we as kiltwwearers have semi formal sporrans, day jackets etc. BTW I was always taught that Black Tie was Formal not Semi Formal.

[ccga3359]

Guys, remember that it was a Yank who asked the question. To us, formal means "I wore both shoes and socks."

Do the socks have to match like they have to up here in Canada (matching hockey logos)?

[kiltedsawyer]

[QUOTE=James MacMillan;449318]Both! But is there any real difference between the cut of a pair of jeans and the cut of a pair of formal pants? No.

Man!....you have been kilted for a while!