White Tie

[Mark]

Hi everyone.

My student corporation is hosting a gala this Friday and the dress code is White Tie. Of course I'm going to wear a kilt to the event. I don't have any jackets myself, so I've rented a Prince Charlie. My corporation is somewhat alternative (i.e. we're all metalheads), so the dresscode won't be very strict.
This is what I'm going to wear:
-An 8 yard traditional kilt in the Robertson Ancient Hunting tartan by Geoffrey (Tailor)
-A Prince Charlie jacket
-A black waistcoat
-A white shirt
-A white tie (probably, although perhaps black looks better)
-Brogues (not ghillies, though)
-Blue flashes

I haven't decided what hose I should wear. I've a black pair and a creme coloured pair. Any thoughts on this or on the rest of the outfit?

Mark

[svc40bt]

This discussion has come up before, with some difference of opinion amongst the rabble. Traditionally, white tie would include tailcoat and matching high waisted trousers white tall wing collar shirt with plain or pique starched unpleated bib front and white pique waistcoat and bow tie.

The Prince Charlie is similar to the tailcoat, so for highland white tie the white shirt, waiscoat, and tie would be what you would want. Personally I would wear the black hose, but rental outfits generally include the cream hose. You didn't mention a sporran; for formalwear, fur with a metal cantle and chain strap.

I am sure others with actual white tie experience will come along soon.

[beloitpiper]

Technically, if it is a White Tie event, you should wear a white waistcoat, but as you said, the dress code will be relaxed.

You should definitely wear the black hose. White doesn't look very good in formal functions.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

My thoughts? Black hose, and get yourself a white waistcoat, same as you'd wear with an evening tail coat. You might also consider making up some flashes in the colours of your student corporation. Creme hose just won't be "formal" enough for white tie.

[scotchmaster]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_tie


Scroll down it gives Highland White Tie Dress. Ghillie Brogues or Buckle Broques
are a requirement for For Formal Highland Dress. Non ghillie Brogues are considered day wear

[McMurdo]

Well for white tie I'd go with a Montrose or some other doublet, however if you have a PC jacket so be it. Again a white waistcoat and tie would be apporopriate as it is white tie, also buckle brogues, a sealskin or similar sporran and of couse a dress sgian dubh would be required. For the hose I would say that really Diced or Argyll hose should be worn, but as you only hace cream and black I'd wear the black.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

There are three basic types of ghillie brogues. (1) Those worn by the military and civilian pipers, (2) those worn with civilian day wear, and (3) those worn with formal evening wear, either white tie or black tie.

Wikipedia does not differentiate between these shoes.

Types 1 & 2 tend to have a pebble finish, thick soles, and are of stout construction and therefore fairly heavy. They are not suitable for formal evening wear.

The third type of ghillie brogues are of a much lighter construction, and are usually made of patent leather. They are more like a gentleman's evening pumps, although still cut and styled like the more rugged day wear ghillies.

When attending white or black tie events in a kilt, gentlemen's dress pumps, or any other low cut formal evening shoe, may be worn in lieu of "evening dress" ghillies, and are to be preferred over wearing heavier, day wear shoes of any sort.

[Zardoz]

Go with the black hose.

[Mark]

Thanks for all the ideas everyone.
Some replies:

Doublet: it's impossible to get a rental doublet in the Netherlands, it was hard enough finding a PC in my size.
Ghillie brogues: I would get ghillie brogues, but I already own the normal brogues and renting ghillies would be a bit much for my budget. And the brogues I own are really comfortable, so that's a plus.
Sporran: I have a semi-dress sporran. Again, I can't rent another one because of the budget problem.
Waistcoat: I'll try to get a white one, I hope the rental company has those. If not, I'll probably also take a black bowtie.
If it's at all possible, I'll try to get some of the better items.

It's not a big problem if it's not really white tie. As I said, the dresscode is quite loose. Most of the other guests will probably be wearing tuxedos.
Our corporation, it's called Catena by the way, is known for it's non-conformism. It will be a funny sight seeing dozens of metalheads feeling slightly uncomfortable in formal clothing, instead of the usual jeans and black t-shirt.

[scotchmaster]

Go with the black hose.

Techinically solid color hose are not formal enough . They should be tartan or diced. however bright white is more formal than self coloured.