Opinions Please

[McFarkus]

I think you look great as is. I do think the suggestion of either white or dark red hose is a good one.

I doubt you want to change your jacket buttons as the jacket is a K of C item. If you got a gold-toned buckle for your belt or used a cummerbund, you could get a formal sporran with a leather cantle like this one from Matt at the Scottish Tartan Museum http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/sporran_fb.html. That would solve the mixed metal issue folks have referred to above.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The hose suggestion was great. I've just got to decide among a deep red, forest green or navy blue. How about all three?

I just don't go formal enough to justify buckle shoes, much less ghillie brogues. Is it too much of a faux pas to buy ghillies laces and add them to wingtips?

First, let me say that I think you uniform is quite elegant. What you need to do, to keep the whole ensemble from looking like a "cruise ship costume", is try and keep the whole look "military" The Knights are, after all, a military order and you want to reflect that in the way you dress.

HOSE: May I suggest that red and white diced hose (or red and black diced hose) will give you the best look with your kilt/jacket combination. White, for obvious reasons won't work, and solid colour hose will look far better with civilian day wear than with your Knights of Columbus uniform.

SPORRAN: Spend the extra few dollars for a fur or hair sporran. It will look more elegant and definitely more military than an all leather sporran. A "military" pattern sporran would probably look the best and could easily have the KofC insignia attached to the cantle.

SHOES: Rather than spend a great deal of money on ghillie brogues, I'd suggest you opt for a tin of Kiwi shoe polish and a pair of pipers "ghillie flaps". And at all costs avoid the "ghillie" laces.

WAISTCOAT Any tuxedo shop can sell you a black waistcoat similar to that worn with a Prince Charlie coatee. When you go shopping, bring along your kilt and uniform jacket, to make sure that everything lines up properly without any gaps at the top of the kilt that would allow your shirt to be seen. Replace the buttons with gold buttons (either small KofC or US eagle buttons) to complete the look. A word of warning: under NO circumstances should you wear a coloured waistcoat-- you will look like a waiter in a Scottish themed restaurant if you do. The same goes for the bow tie. Black with a black waistcoat, white with a white waistcoat; anything else will look like you are cruising with Carnival Line, and bring the dignity of the KofC uniform into disrepute.

You are in a unique position to define the kilted uniform of the Knights of Columbus, not as a fashion statement, but rather reflecting the dignity and devotion that you, and other kilted gentlemen, bring to the Order. That, Sir Knight, is a heavy responsibility.

[macwilkin]

First, let me say that I think you uniform is quite elegant. What you need to do, to keep the whole ensemble from looking like a "cruise ship costume", is try and keep the whole look "military" The Knights are, after all, a military order and you want to reflect that in the way you dress.

HOSE: May I suggest that red and white diced hose (or red and black diced hose) will give you the best look with your kilt/jacket combination. White, for obvious reasons won't work, and solid colour hose will look far better with civilian day wear than with your Knights of Columbus uniform.

SPORRAN: Spend the extra few dollars for a fur or hair sporran. It will look more elegant and definitely more military than an all leather sporran. A "military" pattern sporran would probably look the best and could easily have the KofC insignia attached to the cantle.

SHOES: Rather than spend a great deal of money on ghillie brogues, I'd suggest you opt for a tin of Kiwi shoe polish and a pair of pipers "ghillie flaps". And at all costs avoid the "ghillie" laces.

WAISTCOAT Any tuxedo shop can sell you a black waistcoat similar to that worn with a Prince Charlie coatee. When you go shopping, bring along your kilt and uniform jacket, to make sure that everything lines up properly without any gaps at the top of the kilt that would allow your shirt to be seen. Replace the buttons with gold buttons (either small KofC or US eagle buttons) to complete the look. A word of warning: under NO circumstances should you wear a coloured waistcoat-- you will look like a waiter in a Scottish themed restaurant if you do. The same goes for the bow tie. Black with a black waistcoat, white with a white waistcoat; anything else will look like you are cruising with Carnival Line, and bring the dignity of the KofC uniform into disrepute.

You are in a unique position to define the kilted uniform of the Knights of Columbus, not as a fashion statement, but rather reflecting the dignity and devotion that you, and other kilted gentlemen, bring to the Order. That, Sir Knight, is a heavy responsibility.

Well said, Scott.

T.

[beloitpiper]

I would only change a few things: get a dress sporran, wear black hose, and adjust the fly plaid so that less is hanging down in the front. Otherwise you look amazing!!

[Coemgen]

Looks pretty good. I'd just recommend a fancier sporran, but still it looks quite brilliant.

[elrond]

You look great as you are, perhaps with a dress sporran (as someone told before me).
Waistcoat? Perhpas, but I will wear in the same white shade than the jacket: sober and stylish.

Ciao!

[Ancienne Alliance]

Looks Great
You have the build to pull off the White Jacket with both the braid and fly plaid.
I do agree that a dressier sporran slightly higher would be an improvement. On the footwear department. I think that a buckle brogue, or trying coloured hose with the dress shoes would snap the kit right up. ( I am not a fan of white hose with any formal occasion. BTW)

I was wandering when the white hose question would be mentionned !

Well... Here we go again !

[Ian.MacAllan]

I wish to comment not on your attire but on the other comments, by inviting your attention to Mark Twain's observation that no man but a fool will bother to embellish what he does not respect.

Best wishes.

.

[Chef]

Based on the information you've given, including more information about the K of C uniform I have a couple more comments.

I agree that the shoulder braid and the plaid are a little much. I have 3 options. Go without either, wear only the braid, or wear only the plaid. I think that I'll gauge the function to see which of the 3 options I'll choose.

Since the jacket really is a uniform coat for the K of C I would definitely drop the plaid. The fly plaid is really a civilian article of dress. It is based on the full plaid but neither is worn with a mess jacket. So I would stay with convention and leave it off.

I just don't go formal enough to justify buckle shoes, much less ghillie brogues. Is it too much of a faux pas to buy ghillies laces and add them to wingtips?

I originally suggested ghillies but again with the uniform aspect, I would pass. Ghillies are again a civilian item. MacMillan's suggestion of a really good polish and ghillie flaps is a good one.

I'll have to go look at the jacket and see if the buttons are easily changed, but I have to have the gold for my KofC functions. Otherwise, I'm thinking of going sans belt to avoid the clash.

The best way to without the belt is with a waistcoat as mentioned. You can find one at Marlow White. They are a military uniform supplier. What you are looking for is aWhite Mess Coat Waistcoat. This one is for the Army White Mess Coat. Also since it is backless it won't be too warm for your area.

Thanks again for everyone's help. It's really going to help me fine tune my kit. Like I said earlier, I have a sense of style that is right for me, but I don't won't to look like a dork either!

I think you are off to a great start. No dorkishness in site.

[Alan H]

I don't have much to add. I"m a fan of bright white hose for formal, though most are not and if there ever was a place to try it, this is it. But if you're not keen on the idea then dark red hose to match the predominant color of the kilt would be good, too. As a matter of fact, diced red and white hose might just look spanking sharp here, if you can afford them.

I like the look of the semi-formal sporran, but again if you were inclined, a formal one would top this off. I also like the gold buttons on the jacket, and would look around for a belt with gold highlights, at least. There ARE shiny brass kilt buckles around. The stinker will be finding a dress sporran with a gold colored cantle AND the buckle with gold/brass nighlights, or a solid brass one. It might be easier (though it wouldn't look as good) to replace the buttons with nice ones you can get on ebay, rather than have to dig around for both the sporran with a brass cantle and the buckle.

No comment on the fly plaids, boards etc. as I freely admit I'm clueless.

But I know this. You look great even just as you are!