Is it OK to wear a dress tartan casually?

[Riverkilt]

Aye Jock,

Over here in the canyonlands even someone wearing a cheap polyesther off-the-rack(peg) business suit is unusual...and then either an attorney on the way to court or an undertaker.

Ron

[Andrewson]

Ron,I think we have one of these trans-Atlantic mis-understandings here. In UK terms the term "dress" in male attire means formal attire. ...

I have had more than a sneaking suspicion that you chaps over there, have regarded the term "dress" in quite another way,am I right?

Thanks for that Jock. I was using "dress" in the UK sense. I wasn't aware of the different interpretation across the pond.

[Bugbear]

I think I understand what you mean, Jock Scot. What makes me uncomfortable is lumping business suits, sport jackets with ties, four-in-hand ties, three piece suits, and maybe even slacks into "casual" dress. There just seems to be something wrong with calling both a t-shirt/jeans and a business suit casual... The levels aren't well defined below formal.

[Jock Scot]

I think I understand what you mean, Jock Scot. What makes me uncomfortable is lumping business suits, sport jackets with ties, four-in-hand ties, three piece suits, and maybe even slacks into "casual" dress. There just seems to be something wrong with calling both a t-shirt/jeans and a business suit casual... The levels aren't well defined below formal.

From our British point of view its not too difficult to sort out!

Dress evening = Dinner suit(tux) or white tie and tails.
Dress day = Morning suit.
Smart = Suits.
Smart casual = Sports jacket/blazer.
Casual = everything else.

There you go Ted, dead easy!

[Bugbear]

I agree! Read Riverkilt's post.

Aye Jock,

Over here in the canyonlands even someone wearing a cheap polyesther off-the-rack(peg) business suit is unusual...and then either an attorney on the way to court or an undertaker.

Ron

Just to clarify.

[Jock Scot]

I agree! Read Riverkilt's post.

Right then let's try all that in kilt terms, shall we? This may raise the odd eyebrow! Don't forget we are looking through a Scot's eyes, in Scotland!

Dress evening = Prince Charlie/Sherrifmuir/Montrose.
Dress day = Black barathea,silver(sometimes black)buttoned Argyll/Braemar.
Smart = Tweed Argyll/Braemar/Crail jacket, perhaps with waist coat (vest).
Smart casual = Tweed Argyll etc..
Casual = everything else.

How about that Ted? Do we still agree? Oh! I can quite understand that Ron, you and others have it a bit warmer/colder over there and that you have to adapt, probably, more than a fair bit!!!

[Bugbear]

Sounds fine to me. I have read that the Black barathea,silver buttoned Argyll with three button waistcoat is acceptable for dress evening in place of a PC, but that's just what I've read...

[Jock Scot]

Sounds fine to me. I have read that the Black barathea,silver buttoned Argyll with three button waistcoat is acceptable for dress evening in place of a PC, but that's just what I've read...

You are quite right Ted. It is becoming a modern trend(not what the black barathea etc. Argyll was originally used for, though) and I think, with the three buttoned waist coat(vest), it looks fine as evening "dress" wear. I don't think it would do for the most formal of formal " evening dress" occasion though.

[Bugbear]

You are quite right Ted. It is becoming a modern trend(not what the black barathea etc. Argyll was originally used for, though) and I think, with the three buttoned waist coat(vest), it looks fine as evening "dress" wear. I don't think it would do for the most formal of formal " evening dress" occasion though.

Very good. I think defining all of these things helps this discussion. Thank you, Jock Scot.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I'll just throw in my tuppence. With a foot on either side of the "pond" in terms of upbringing, I grew up with the white-tie as "formal" the tux as "semi formal" "business suit (usually three piece), blazer, with or without tie, sometimes a turtleneck sweater, & slacks, summer wear open shirt and slacks in descending order. Then there were the "working" clothes or "blue collar", which seems to have move up to everyday "day wear" now with Jeans and t-shirts, or slacks and golf shirts, as the norm. I consider it a loss that at least some of this concept of proper dress did not survive the 60's as a general rule. While I applaud the simpler bit, It is still no excuse to look sloppy, grungy, or downright discusting!