Help! Silk purse from a sow's ear!

[Detroitpete]

I'd avoid the white hose, just to avoid Jock Scot's ire.

Many in our continent are unfamiliar with the art of polishing shoes. If you already have a nice pair of wingtips, and polishing is not part of your routine, get started now. That way, by the time you are off to the first ball, your shoes will have a good base, and you will able to bring up a glossy shine. Formal attire requires highly polished shoes.

Eight years in the military here I can make 'em look like glass! Still polish my shoes and boots on a regular basis.

I think I'm getting the idea together guys--thanks for your previous and continued suggestions.

My goals in this are to look appropriate for the event; show a good example of someone kilted and NOT look foolish or too 'incorrect' so that I can pass muster for those who might know formal kilted attire--and even those who don't--just want to make a good impression for my wife and a good representative of kilted men.

[McMurdo]

1) Wouldn't it be GREAT to look as good as Panache, McMurdo and Hammish!?

It takes a bit of work to keep up with those two, I'm just happy to be counted in the same crowd, the important thing is we work with what we have.

2) I'm not a plaid guy--so no need for that.

I'm not a big fan either but you by no means need one.

3) Some of my kilts will work. I know my handmade Newsome tank won't be here by then, but maybe I need to consider adding another kilt bought specifically for more formal events.

The Newsome will work, remember it's hand sewn and is simply an earlier style of pleating, again work with what you have.

4) I'm not a fan of tartan flashes--will my coordinated garder ties be ok?

Traditional Garter ties will work fine for the same reasons given above, they work especially well with a Newsome Box Pleated kilt

5) Leaning toward either Eton, PC or Montrose--but a wool Braemar might work too?

Again if the Braemer is barathea wool it will work, the P.C. is one you can not go wrong with, the Montrose gets very hot take it from me, but it really does look smashing, of course in a Montrose you can be overdressed. I'd steer clear of the Eton myself especially the ones that are not made from wool.

6) Is my only choice for neck wear (outside of Montrose with jabot) a bow tie?

I'd say outside the Jabot a bow tie is the way to go, but please make it a self tie bow tie. If you are unsure how to tie one here is a great video I found on youtube

7 Your opinion--coordinating hose--or stick to white/cream?

I'd go with coordinating hose before white or cream, if you are wearing the Montrose or any other doublet I'd say Argyll or Diced hose would be the way to go. With the P.C. or Breamer you can get away with white hose easier

and lastly...

If my fellow Highland Athlete Alan H. can pull this off--there just might be hope for me!

Of course there is hope for you, you've already got a good base, ask all the questions you want, ultimately though you know what looks good on you, remember that and you will be fine.

[Jock Scot]

Alright joking aside and without being impertinent, how much do you want to spend and what have you got already?

You will have looked at the formal wear pictures, no doubt? So you have a rough idea what is required. A tip! If you are going into uncharted waters, so to speak, with formal wear then don't cut too many corners! If you go to the ball KNOWING that you are kitted out correctly, then you can forget it and get on with "A": the strange surroundings,people and some of the other do's and don'ts and "B" the most important thing ;enjoying yourself!

OK, what are the basics? Shoes need to be well(highly) polished and black, leather soles if you can. There is no need to have those awful ghillie things.

Hose; any colour you like as long as it is not white!Honestly,I know that many people like white hose, but it is better to avoid them.

Flashes; you don't like tartan flashes, great, so don't wear them!

The kilt; Go with a traditional tartan kilt if you can. The other guests will understand tartan!

Sporran; a "dress" or evening wear sporran is the thing, in all honesty, but an animal fur sporran will do too. You can get away with a good day sporran if you have to, but best not.

Shirt; a white formal(tux) shirt.

Jacket;Lets not get complicated! You will get by with a black barathea, silver buttoned Argyll, balmoral type jacket with a THREE buttoned waist coat(vest) if you choose to wear one. Better still and going down the less complicated route a Prince Charlie jacket(black) and THREE buttoned waist coat is the one that is well, more correct. Remember that a kilt belt is not worn with a waist coat that is why you need the height of your kilt to be cut in the taditional style ---no white shirt showing between the bottom of the waist coat and the top of the kilt, please. A belt or cummerbund is worn if you are not wearing a vest. There are more styles of formal jacket,but I am keeping it simple. You are quite correct not to wear a plaid, they just get in the damn way and look "Brigadoonish"!

Tie; there really is only one to go with the jackets mentioned above, a black, self tied, bow tie.Not, if you can help it, a ready made one.

This is a basic outfit. Nothing is cast in stone, other than if you stray too far from the norm you will be doing your host, your lady and yourself no favours. It is a courtessy thing. Good luck and have fun.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

All I can add is that Jock Scot is 100% correct, that and he beat me to the punch by about 35 minutes... all the way from Scotland!

[Paul]

WOW! See--you guys are good AND quick! Here's what I'm thinking now:

1) Wouldn't it be GREAT to look as good as Panache, McMurdo and Hammish!?
2) I'm not a plaid guy--so no need for that.
3) Some of my kilts will work. I know my handmade Newsome tank won't be here by then, but maybe I need to consider adding another kilt bought specifically for more formal events.
4) I'm not a fan of tartan flashes--will my coordinated garder ties be ok?
5) Leaning toward either Eton, PC or Montrose--but a wool Braemar might work too?
6) Is my only choice for neck wear (outside of Montrose with jabot) a bow tie?
7 Your opinion--coordinating hose--or stick to white/cream?

and lastly...

If my fellow Highland Athlete Alan H. can pull this off--there just might be hope for me!

I'd say if you're wearing mainly black wear black hose - otherwise go with white to go with the shirt.

[Detroitpete]

Thanks all--really appreciate the input and really appreciate Xmarks for allowing a guy a place to ask questions like this. You all gave grand advice. I think I have it figured out and will start acquiring what I need. Based on all the ideas and pictures you all helped with I have a plan:

-One of my better tartan kilts--for me this means MacLaren for now, unless I get the Prince of Wales I've been checking out--or upgrade the Stewart I have to a better Royal Stewart or Black Stewart. Unless of course my Newsome is in!

-PC in black barathea with waistcoat.

-White wing-tip tux shirt with french cuffs and cufflinks.

-Black hand tied bow tie.

-Semi-dress sporran (white goat hair on black leather w/ metal cantle) No sporran chain however--I have a nice set of sporran hanger chains. I just like the look better, and they don't tear up a kilt.

-Either black or coordinating hose.

-Coordinating garder ties

-spit-shined wing tip shoes

No fly plaid, no hat or bonnett, no audacious metals/jewlery or anything else flashy. Yes I'm a veteran and I've won metals--my humble opinion: I don't tell anyone else what to do with theirs, but mine will stay in their boxes until I pass them down to my brother's children--and again my opinion, I'd never wear any military uniform article without full uniform and never to a civilian affair.

I'm in my 40's and don't want to look like a cartoon--something from disney or someone costumed.

And the most important and special item of the night: my beautiful and graceful wife! ;-)

Does this sound like a fair plan for the events?

[McMurdo]

That sounds like a completely fair plan for this event and any others in the future.

[Alan H]

I think you're spot-on, mate.

I, personally would not shy away from white hose. After all, you're wearing a white shirt, right? White on top, white below. Personally, I think it looks great, but we all know the incendiary nature of that topic, so 'nuff said.

Flashes? If you don't like tartan flashes, then don't wear them. That was easy! Just get a solid color that coordinates with one of the tartan colors in the kilt.

If you can afford a Prince Charlie coatee and three-button waistcoat, then go that route, but keep in mind that if you're generally-speaking "allergic" to dress-up then that's a lot of money to spend on something you'll not wear very much. On the flip side, they're kind of fun!

I personally LIKE the Eton Jacket, sometimes called a Spencer Jacket. If you team that up with a waistcoat, then **No buckle** and no kilt belt. If you don't team it up with a waistcoat, then you'll need a nice kilt belt and a decent buckle.

The black argyll-style jacket might be a bit more practical, and useable for more than just killer evening wear. Whatever the case, the THREE-button waistcoat goes with the Prince Charlie, the FIVE or SIX button waistcoat goes with the Argyll.

However, please don't wear a four-in-hand tie (your "normal" tie that you see at business meetings) with either of the above. Get a black bow-tie If black doesn't float your boat then get one that's the same color as your flashes, how about that? I happen to wear a fold-down-collar white formal shirt (with studs and cufflinks) just because I grew up wearing them, and a pre-tied bow tie doesn't stand out so badly with one of those. If you wear a wingtip collar shirt, then yeah, might as well get a real bow tie and figure out how to tie it since the part of the tie that goes around your neck is quite prominently displayed in that sort of shirt..

Traditionalists will probably revolt at the idea of a non-black bow tie. I, personally have no problem wearing a tie that's not black.

BTW, you might consider renting the Prince Charlie, but for heavens sake buy the shirt, tie, cufflinks and studs.

[Jock Scot]

Alan may I just correct you on one salient point. The five or six buttoned waist coat is worn with the Argyll and four in hand tie for day wear and with the three buttoned waist coat, these days, for evening wear and with a black tie. Don't forget that the black barathea, silver buttoned Argyll is really the most formal of formal of day wear; equivelant to morning dress. However it is being used as evening wear these days, as well, with a three buttoned waist coat. I quite like the look myself.

[Detroitpete]

Traditionalists will probably revolt at the idea of a non-black bow tie. I, personally have no problem wearing a tie that's not black.

BTW, you might consider renting the Prince Charlie, but for heavens sake buy the shirt, tie, cufflinks and studs.

Thanks Alan! I have to admit to being a guy who shines his own shoes and belts, owns several pairs of cufflinks, studs and french cuff shirts--what can I say, I'm a bit "old school". My problem has always been in getting good shirts to fit me. I suffer from an athletes physique--18 1/2 inch neck--46-48 chest on a guy who is only 5'7" 180--with 32 inch long arms that sort of fit into a normal shirt unless I bend my elbows (Think baby gorilla!)

I saw a DIY post hear on making a bow tie. I could go for a matching tartan bow tie as an option if I chose not to do black.

Thanks again for y'all helping me figure this out so that I don't wind up looking silly. I hope other guys viewing this thread who have wanted to ask the same sort of questions get a chance to learn some things as well. One side effect of this post: I learned that you HAVE to consider your body type too. I LOVE the look of a Montrose Doublet--but with my short and squat build--I KNOW I'd look like a fancy beer keg with legs