Kilted attire for attending a Wedding

**Panache** · 24th February 09, 10:32 AM

Since there has been some discussion recently about kilted outfits for guest attending a wedding it seemed a good idea to start a thread for some of our experts to share some of their advice.

I think all will agree that one one is a member of the wedding party one simply complies with the wishes of the bride and groom. But as a guest one wishes to dress well, but in a manner that shows respect to the happy couple and the occasion.

I call on those in the know to guide the rest in understanding the conventions of kilted dress at a wedding and helping us present ourselves as kilted gentlemen should.

Cheers

Jamie

**The Barry** · 24th February 09, 11:09 AM

The only "rule" that I won't break:

If I'm not getting married, I won't don the fly plaid. The fly plaid is for the groom, and the groom alone.

Other than that and this will come up this summer, I try to dress at least one notch more casual than the groom. I have a friend that is doing a kilted wedding this summer, and I wouldn't show up to his wedding wearing a PC if he is wearing an argyle, I wouldn't wear tartan hose if he is wearing aran hose, etc.

**siva011** · 24th February 09, 11:20 AM

I think a lot has to do with the guest and how well the people know the guest. For my sister's wedding, I was a groomsman and had to wear a tux. My sister brought along the tux return bag because she knew me well enough that I was going to change after the pictures. Almost everyone there knew me and was at my kilted wedding. No surprise. If I was invited to a wedding as my wife's date, and I knew noone there and they didnt' know me, that might be different....

But as to every wedding I've ever seen, someone standing in the crowd wearing a kilt will never never EVER keep people's eyes from the bride as she comes down the aisle.

One thing mentioned in the other thread was the dress code on the invitiations. I've never seen a dress code before, except for bridal party/groomsmen. There are expected levels of formal dress (that are not followed by at least some guests), but details aren't specified... and as said a few times before there are kilt options for all levels of formality that would be requested...

**Phil** · 24th February 09, 11:35 AM

Probably the biggest mistake people make is being over-dressed. As weddings usually take place during daytime then the proper dress, if kilted, is with a tweed jacket, white shirt and tie (plain to match the kilt - not tartan) self coloured hose and brogues (black or brown). This is also a perfectly acceptable dress for an evening wedding unless it is known to be a more formal event. Prince Charlies are not appropriate and should never be worn at a daytime wedding. An Argyle jacket may be worn but only if nothing more suitable is available. Strangely enough, one of the doublets with lace jabot, tartan hose and buckle brogues is suitable wear for a daytime wedding but the extra accoutrements such as fly plaids, dirks etc. should be left to the wedding party.

**svc40bt** · 24th February 09, 11:57 AM

I am by no means an expert, but I would say to wear the highland dress equivalent of what you expect other guests to be wearing, usually suit or sportcoat and tie at a daytime wedding; so tweed or solid argyle with four-in-hand tie.

Of course, if you are unsure, the best advice is to ask the bride or groom, and to respect their wishes.

**JSFMACLJR** · 24th February 09, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by The Barry

I wouldn't wear tartan hose if he is wearing aran hose, etc.

Well I certainly would, if guests are dressed as they should be at an evening wedding. If guests are wearing black tie, then a kilted guest should be wearing tartan or diced hose. I'm sorry if the groom and groomsmen have poor taste!

All that being said, when wearing the kilt to a wedding as a guest, I wear a nice tweed jacket, hose of a colour other than white, leather sporran or even my otter mask sporran, sometimes a waistcoat, sometimes not (depending on the weather), well polished black shoes.

Here are a couple of pics from a couple of recent weddings I've attended:

The last picture is a bit dressier, as my wife and I went to a ball later that evening. Here in the South, it is quite common for wedding guests to wear black tie for evening weddings (when so many Southern weddings take place).

Regards,
Sandford

**Jock Scot** · 24th February 09, 12:08 PM

For daytime weddings a tweed argyll and for the most formal of formal daytime wedding, the silver buttoned, black argyll(equivalent of morning dress). Plus, always, a white shirt whichever style of argyll is worn. If a plaid must be worn, then it should only be worn by the groom. A Prince Charlie jacket should NEVER EVER be seen at a daytime wedding.