Finding the correct level of formality

**Heming** · 14th October 09, 11:38 AM

Hi, all.

Now that I've booked a room at Ferintosh for my better half and myself for the Burns supper do in January, it's about time to start planning what to wear. So ... what to wear?

I am a bit uncertain as to what level of formality would be deemed correct for the occasion in Scotland, so any advise on that is appreciated. I see from the pictures of earlier do's that people have different tastes, but PC coatees are common. Is that the way to go?

My alternatives are:
KILT: Black barrathea kilt, 6yd machine sewn (TFCK) OR hand sewn 8yd tartan inspired fashion check (mainly red, white & black).

JACKET: Black barrathea jacket and waistcoat (similar to crail style) OR black barrathea Prince Charlie and waistcoat OR converted dinner jacket (no waistcoat) OR converted black "sack coat" (no waistcoat)

SHIRT: White if PC jacket. If the other jacket: White OR coloured/patterned (small, woven pattern, e.g. light blue). Collar style?

TIE: Necktie coordinating with shirt OR black bow tie

HOSE: Black OR other ("other" will have to be knit specially). If other what colour?

FLASHES: Matching the kilt OR red

SHOES: Black lace-up shoes OR black pumps OR buckled pumps

I only have one sporran, so that'll be black leather with three tassles and brushed steel cantle.

Also, as this will be my better half's first kilted party, I'll need to dress him up in completely new clothing ON A TIGHT BUDGET. Most items made by me. What should I make for him?

So to sum up:

1) what level of formality is considered appropriate for a Burns supper,

2) which of the above garments are suitable for that level of formality.

**caig** · 14th October 09, 11:55 AM

I will hold back from commenting on the majority of your post, and leave that tpo those who are likekly to be attendng the supper. However, I DO like the buckled pumps you put a link to. Unfortunately, the text is in ( I assume) Norwegian. Are you able to tell me how much these shoes are as I would love to get a pair. Thanks.

**McMurdo** · 14th October 09, 11:58 AM

I'd say that generally Robertson and Emma will just be glad that you can both attend. Looking at the photos of past years it seems that the level of formality is simply what the attendees can do, or are comfortable with. Having said that, if it were me I would wear the Prince Charlie, with the best kilt you have, I presume that would be the Black TFCK, I would wear it with a self tie bow tie. For the hose if you only have black it should be fine though it may look like you are wearing quite a bit of black, I would also wear the red flashes. The sporran you have sounds like it would be fine as well. Shoes I'd say wear the black lace up.

Another idea would be to look through the 1 kilt 10 looks thread .

**Heming** · 14th October 09, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by acaig

I will hold back from commenting on the majority of your post, and leave that tpo those who are likekly to be attendng the supper. However, I DO like the buckled pumps you put a link to. Unfortunately, the text is in ( I assume) Norwegian. Are you able to tell me how much these shoes are as I would love to get a pair. Thanks.

Prices range from NOK 750-2500 ( GBP 85-280, USD 135-450) depending on style and quality, and whether the buckle should be pewter or silver. Silver is most common and most expensive. Gilded silver buckles are usually available from select goldsmiths.

There must be a supplier in the US somewhere. Not sure about Britain or Europe, but you could get them from Norway via mail order. Try a google for "bunadsko", which is the shoes name, and know that "dame" and "kvinne" and "jente" are females. "Herre", "mann/menn" and "gutt(er)" are male.

**Heming** · 14th October 09, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

I'd say that generally Robertson and Emma will just be glad that you can both attend. Looking at the photos of past years it seems that the level of formality is simply what the attendees can do, or are comfortable with. Having said that, if it were me I would wear the Prince Charlie, with the best kilt you have, I presume that would be the Black TFCK, I would wear it with a self tie bow tie. For the hose if you only have black it should be fine though it may look like you are wearing quite a bit of black, I would also wear the red flashes. The sporran you have sounds like it would be fine as well. Shoes I'd say wear the black lace up.

Another idea would be to look through the 1 kilt 10 looks thread .

Yes, sorry, I should have mentioned that I've been through the 10 looks and 10 more thread, but even though that's very good for showing me what to buy, it doesn't really tell me how to use what I have.

My best kilt is the black, but the red one is only a smidge less nice, so maybe I could wear the non-tartan reddish kilt to avoid being too black? I have often used the black barrathea ensemble with black hose and black flashes to semi-formal things back home. Usually with a pink shirt and pink silk tie (not hot pink, pale salmon-ish pink) to stop the black death feeling.

**davedove** · 14th October 09, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Heming

Now that I've booked a room at Ferintosh for my better half and myself for the Burns supper do in January, it's about time to start planning what to wear. So ... what to wear?

I am a bit uncertain as to what level of formality would be deemed correct for the occasion in Scotland, so any advise on that is appreciated. I see from the pictures of earlier do's that people have different tastes, but PC coatees are common. Is that the way to go?

Originally Posted by McMurdo

I'd say that generally Robertson and Emma will just be glad that you can both attend. Looking at the photos of past years it seems that the level of formality is simply what the attendees can do, or are comfortable with.

It would seem to me that the people to ask would be the Robertsons. After all, it's their affair, so they have the right to set the formality. But, as Glen said, it appears they are just glad you attend. Since PC's seem to be the norm, that would tell me to go with the PC.

**sfb** · 14th October 09, 02:51 PM

Well, if you can get some "inside information" from the hosts, it can't do any harm, but I don't think I've ever been to a Burns supper here in Scotland which wasn't treated as a formal, dinner suit equivalent type of affair.

So personally I'd definitely have the black bow tie option, and pretty much as smart as you can go with the rest of your choices.

My best kilt is the black, but the red one is only a smidge less nice, so maybe I could wear the non-tartan reddish kilt to avoid being too black?

If I was wearing black hose - which I would be

- I'd go with that idea!

**Pour1Malt** · 15th October 09, 02:41 AM

wear whit ya want tae wear Hemming...

it is a dressy affair nay doubt... maist fellas wear PC's... ya will notice Hamish disnae- an' I dinnae- (I prefer the luek o' the Jacobite jeeket... )

keep luekin' a' the piccies frae past Ferintosh Burns Suppers... there arr loads o' options...

**Heming** · 15th October 09, 05:52 AM

Would it be wrong to wear buckled pumps with a PC and waistcoat? Or with a converted dinner jacket?

**JSFMACLJR** · 15th October 09, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by Heming

Would it be wrong to wear buckled pumps with a PC and waistcoat? Or with a converted dinner jacket?

It would not be wrong to wear buckled shoes with a PC coatee and waistcoat.

I cannot comment on a converted dinner jacket, as I have no experience along those lines. Suffice it to say, though, if you are wearing black tie, buckled shoes are always correct.