Quote Originally Posted by Jack Daw View Post
I'm here to get advice, as my tastes are suspect (even from my own POV); so, I'll not give any. So, of course, I have one question: In addition to a sweater as an alternative choice, casual evening can include the tweed jackets and/or the black argyll (without the ties and waistcoats) as a sports-jacket equivalent? BTW, I appreciate everyone's input.
As Jock Scot has already pointed out "casual" is different here in America-- but yes, if the local custom is to wear a jacket without a tie then following that custom is okay, for two reasons: (1) it will put others "at ease" about how they are dressed ("See, Henry, I told you you should have worn a tie.") and (2) you won't look like you are trying to impress everyone ("Jeez, who does that guy think he is, wearing a tie to a barbeque?").

My caveat would be that if you are going to do this, you might want to consider making an ultra casual kilt jacket out of an old corduroy jacket (or similar) that will be more at home with the "no tie look" than a traditional Highland kilt jacket.