Event this Saturday... What to wear?

**Clockwork John** · 15th February 08, 08:19 AM

I've been invited to a party at a place called the Magic Castle( http://www.magiccastle.com/)this Saturday, and I can't decide what to wear... Here's the dress code for men:

Men must be in coat and tie (standard or bow tie)
Exceptions to the "tie rule" are: turtlenecks, bolo ties, ascots, jeweled collars, ruffled collars and banded collars.
Military Dress, ethnic and/or religious attire will also be allowed.
Men must be in coat and tie (standard or bow tie)
No zippered jackets, outdoor jackets, polo shirts, t-shirts, denim (or colored denim), shorts, sandals, flip flops, sneakers or sneaker-like shoes are allowed.
Leather jackets (with buttons) and leather pants are allowed.
No casual attire will be allowed. Think business attire!

I just bought a black Argyle and waistcoat for this event, but I can't decide which kilt to wear. Here are the two I'm torn between:

Black Watch- Canadian military issue, very heavy
or
Campbell of Argyll- viscose/acetate, fewer pleats, but still pretty classy.
I have a matching tie for this one.

So, do I wear the Black Watch with a black tie, or the Campbell of Argyll with matching tie(or with the black tie)?

Also, should I wear black hose or off white?

I should probably mention that this is an 11:00 brunch, so it is a daywear event.

This will be my first non-casual kilted outing, so I want to make sure I dress appropriately.

Thanks in advance for all your suggestions.

**northernsky** · 15th February 08, 08:22 AM

I'd go with the Black Watch and Black Tie. A classy outfit is never a miss (except may at a beach party or bbq).

**Clockwork John** · 15th February 08, 08:33 AM

Thanks for your feedback, northernsky. Would you recommend black hose or off white?

**Tartan Hiker** · 15th February 08, 09:14 AM

Consider the venue and the activities planned. If you are inside and sitting for long periods the BW may get pretty toasty. The lighter kilt may be more comfortable in that instance. If there will be lots of standing around, schmoozing, etc., the BW may be just fine.

Do you have flashes? White hose without flashes would be a lot of white. Ghillie brogues with tall laces would also be very desirable to break up the white. (I've always avoided white not because of objections to the "kilt hire" business but because of the "school girl uniform" issue. Personally, I'd be real uncomfortable with white hose without flashes or ghillie laces)

If I didn't have these accessories yet, I'd go with the black. Properly accessorized, white hose and white shirt would be fine.

**Tartan Hiker** · 15th February 08, 09:19 AM

And regarding the tie, is your waistcoat a "formal", low-cut two or three-button affair or is it a fuller 5 or 6-button vest? If you wear the Campbell with a low-cut formal vest stick with the black tie. If your vest buttons higher, the tartan tie would work fine.

**Clockwork John** · 15th February 08, 09:41 AM

The only flashes I have are dark blue, but they match either tartan.

I don't have ghillie brogues. I'm planning on wearing black wing tips/brogues.

I'm leaning toward the black hose because I'm not too keen on the look of a white shirt with off white hose.

The vest that I have is a five button and it matches the Argyle jacket.

From what I can tell, the event is going to be roughly equal parts sitting, walking, and standing, all indoors.

**Riverkilt** · 15th February 08, 10:02 AM

Yikes!!!

What kind of event would lay down such detailed rules of attire?

Me, I'd skip it...I'd be certain to do something "wrong" and be confronted for it then we'd be off to the dance bigtime.

But, that's just me.

Ron

**Clockwork John** · 15th February 08, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Yikes!!!

What kind of event would lay down such detailed rules of attire?

Me, I'd skip it...I'd be certain to do something "wrong" and be confronted for it then we'd be off to the dance bigtime.

But, that's just me.

Ron

I'm with you there, Ron. I would skip it if it weren't a good friend's birthday party.

**auld argonian** · 15th February 08, 10:22 AM

If an event asks for a standard of dress, haven't we gotten past that 1960's thing of trying to Stick It To The Man and flaunt the request that we dress appropriately? It's nice to be able to go somewhere where everyone isn't wearing jeans and gym shoes. It's like I said before, when I went to see Jersey Boys here at the Schubert Theatre a couple of months ago, I was the only guy not on stage who was wearing a jacket and tie...what was with that?

Campbell of Argyll, white shirt, black tie, vest and jacket. I'd go with the black hose but I just hate the look of white hose under any circumstances.

Enjoy yourself and be sure that some magician doesn't pull a rabbit out from under your kilt!

Best

AA

**Clockwork John** · 15th February 08, 10:49 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I'm going to model all the various options for my wife tonight, and get her input as well... after all, she's the one that will have to be seen in public with me. She got the cutest red and black dress for tomorrow... She's gonna look great.

The weather may be a determining factor as well... if it's cold like it has been the last several days, I'll probably go with the Black Watch, but if we have another freak warm spell, I'll probably be too hot in it.

I'll post pictures of the final decision at some point in the next couple of days.