Actually the semi-trad is a good choice if money is part of the equation. As to dressing up or down, that is the beauty of the kilt.

I have only traditional 8 yard types at the moment, and I go all the way from very informal (T-shirt, with a smarmy message, such as : "why do they call it a kilt? because a lot of people were kilt when they called it a skirt" to a Braemar jacket, formal vest, boiled shirt and black tie formal, and everytlhing in between.

I also have a Crail jacket converted from a sport coat, they all look sharp. I am looking for an ex-Navy mess jacket to go up to white-tie level, perhaps a Montrose. Depends what I can find to fit the budget.

Happy kilting