Cheap formal wear?

[Colin]

It's been an interesting thread. I am still however waiting for someone to come out in defense of dark coloured crocs and fanny packs as appropriate formal wear.

I think some people are being a bit oversensitve on a lot of this. Almost all of us started out buying what we could afford or what we were willing to spend on our first kilts, sporrans, etc. No person with any self respect will ever knock somone else for wearing their best. On the flip side the people that may be wearing a less expensive garment shouldn't feel compelled to start slamming the higher end garments that others have saved to buy. If you made your own kilt, jacket, sporran, etc than you likely know that it will not be the same quality as a professionals, but you should take immense pride in the fact you created your emsemble on your own. It's easy to buy something, but to make something you are proud of is much more difficult.

As many others have said, I am far from well off. I have so much debt I can barely see the top, but if I want something that costs a bit more I save for it. I give up a lot of stuff I would like to have instantly so that I can order some of these items, so I really don't need anyone telling me that I could have saved time and effort by ordering something that is a fraction of the cost and trying to justify that they are the same product. I bought what I wanted and I earned it.

I really have to agree that the statement "no one would be able to tell or know the differnece" is a silly one. I could say that about speeding, eating a few more chocolates that I really should, skipping a workout, flirting with that new girl at the pool, etc,etc,etc. I will know the difference and my opinion is the only one that counts to me when it relates to me.

If you are happy wearing what you have and you feel that you look good and represent the best image that you want to portray to people than great!!! That is awesome. Just don't start bashing the people that may have worn something they are more comfortable in wearing to portray the image they want people to see, even if they did pay for a higher level of quality. I think some of the jacket converstions (David Danglesh's stand out to me) are incredible while some are simply not my taste.