First black tie event

[beloitpiper]

On November 1st, the Tripoli Scottish Highlanders are hosting their annual Tartan Ball in Milwaukee. This is the first black tie event I am attending that I will not be piping at.

I've got the tickets (and a date!) but I was wondering about what I should wear. I have a black argyle and waist coat, but I'm wondering if I should rent a PC jacket. And should I wear a tux shirt with a black bow tie? Also, should my date be wearing a tartan sash?

Let me know what you guys think. I want to look good. I already have the kilt, full argyle kilt hose, and a white formal sporran with silver cantle. Do you think my black argyle jacket, waistcoat, and bow tie would look alright with that?

[Jock Scot]

Well alright, you will be bombarded with differing advice, so here's my slant on your question. Your black(barathea and silver buttons?) Argyll with dress(tux) shirt and bow tie will see you through of that there is no doubt.A three buttoned waist coat(no belt)will help smarten up the outfit too. But to really cut a dash, I think a PC would be so much better. If your date wishes to wear a tartan sash, then that's even better and very traditional,but I think that you should let her decide on that.Should your date choose to wear a tartan sash it should be,if she has a tartan of her own, her clan tartan. Matching her tartan with yours happens um,well,after you are married! My dear wife shows a certain amount of indipendance, bless her, by wearing my tartan but in modern colours whilst I wear ancient!

[JRB]

I really prefer the black barathea Argyll jacket (with waistcoat) personally, but I agree with Jock Scot that a PC looks more formal.

[McMurdo]

I would completely agree with Jock on this one, the PC is the right jacket. I'm interested to think what other pipers think. For reference her are two different pipers from two Burns nights I was at last year, the gent cutting the haggis was a member of the pipe band as well.

[Cynthia]

Jock Scot pretty much said it all -- especially the part about the sash for your date

Have fun, and don't forget to take some photos!!

[auld argonian]

I have an event this Saturday that's listed as "modern black tie"...don't know if there's some distinction between regular black tie and modern black tie but I'm going on anyway.

So I ordered a black Argyle and vest from J Higgins last week. I figure that I'm going to just wear that with the wing collar shirt and bow tie. I do have the "waist jacket" and three button vest that I bought from a formalwear rental joint and that I wore to an event last year...I was planning on replacing the buttons on it with silver ones...but somehow the shoulders don't look exactly right to me. I wear a 42 jacket and the waist jacket is a 42 long and the almost-but-not-quite tailor at the dry cleaners tacked the sleeve up to a regular length but the shoulders just look too square-ish to me. So that jacket is headed for Ebay to help defray the cost of the new Argyle...

Anyway, at the risk of setting one or two people off, from my perspective the full blown Prince Charlie always looked like it was intended for the very high end of formal dress. A lot of events that I attend are formal but somehow not so very rigidly super-formal...lots of museum openings and architecture awards dinners...stuff like that. At one of these type of events I think that a PC would look a bit too much and the Argyle worn as a formal would be just enough. (I guarantee that I'll be the only one there in a kilt at this one...the opening of the new wing of the Art Institute.)

Basically, I'm sure that there are events that a PC is appropriate for but I think that it's too formal for some (most, in my opinion) events that are black tie. I can't shake the image of that cutaway with a vest thing as being for "old guys" and even though I am an "old guy", I'm not giving up without a fight and try to dress a bit younger or perhaps in a more contemporary style when given a choice. I think that there ought to be something in between...a sort of more contemporary formal jacket.

But...Greg, I'd just run with the Argyle...you are still young and dashing and should dress that way...maybe go with that Ruche Tie to add a bit of extravagance to the outfit.

And good luck finding a florist who can knock up some kind of bouquet with heather in it for your date...just a thought...but if it sounds good, plan well ahead so that they can get the heather...

...and HAVE FUN...and DON'T DO ANYTHING THAT I WOULDN'T DO...

...and take pictures...of the event, that is.

Best

AA

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Since you've been to these events before, I'm sure you've noticed that most of the men will be wearing Prince Charlie Coatees-- in Scotland this is the standard replacement for the American tuxedo (or British dinner jacket, or continental smoking jacket). The difference between wearing a black barathea Argyll jacket and a PC is the difference between wearing a double breasted or single breasted tux-- no difference at all, just a matter of preference. Both the PC and the Argyll require the 3 button vest, tux shirt and black bow tie for this kind of event.

If it were me, this being my first outing with the young lady in question (to a formal Scottish event), I'd opt for hiring the PC. But here's a tip, if you do. Take your kilt with you when you try on the PC and "mak siccar" that there is no white shirt showing at the sides of the jacket, and that the vest comes down at least 2 inches below the top of the kilt. If you do have a white gap at the sides of the jacket, then stick with the Argyll as it will look "neater".

Enjoy you evening at the ball!

PS: You can wear a PC with "white tie", and many do. Usually "White Tie" events see gentlemen in regulation doublets, Sheriffmuirs, and the like. Through usage, and (sadly) a decline in the number of "white tie" events, the PC has become the universal norm for Scottish "black tie" with the Argyll jacket running it a close second.

[Streetcar]

Adding my voice to the chorus - What you have is more than fine. I think here in the states the Argyle can be dressed appropriately for any formal or semi-formal function you will likely attend. Also, the fact that you own the Argyle means that you know it fits properly.

Save the money you would have used for the PC rental, and spend it on your date. I guarantee that will impress her much more than button placement or the presence of vestigal coat tails.

Have fun and post pictures!!

[beloitpiper]

Thanks for the advice guys. Here's what I think I will wear:

-Black leather buckle shoes (NOT gillies or mary-janes)
-Argyle kilt hose
-Solid, navy blue flashes (they match the tartan)
-Dress sgian
-Kilt (duh)
-Black argyle jacket with silver buttons
-Wing collar shirt
-Black bow tie

Here's the advice I need from you guys. I have a black 5-button waistcoat. Should I wear that or rent a 3-button? Maybe no waistcoat at all? Also, what do you guys think of lapel pins? I was thinking of Rock Ivy (Gordon clan plant).

[McMurdo]

I'd say if you are going to wear a waistcoat wear a 3 button one for a formal event. As for lapel pin I would forgo that as I'm not enamored of them.