Black tie event.....help?

[The Vicar]

Greetings, O wise Ones of the X!

I have been told an event I will attend in 2011 will also have a black tie evening and I know there will be a few in kilts for the event as well as many people in the military in attendance.

The question is this:

What do you think a clergyman should wear for a black tie event? The tradition for clergy is to be "muted" rather than standing out like a peacock (nothing too flashy). Many will change out of their clerics.

Any hard and fast rules people know of?

I have a kilt in the ancient clergy tartan, blk hose and blk shoes, blk Argyle jacket with matching vest already.

Any ideas are welcome.

Robert

[ctbuchanan]

You'll get lots of replies on this one. But I'll chip in and say that I think it would be most appropriate for you to wear your collar with a black jacket. As a member of the clergy to switch to a bow tie or tie would seem just not right to me. I probably would not wear the black hose - I did to my mother's memorial service and when I look at the pictures it seems a bit much. But you have plenty of time to get it right.

[piperdbh]

I think a black Argyll and waistcoat over a black clerical shirt with the collar would look very good, and flashes of the appropriate vestment color for the date of the event. Pentecost red, would Easter white, and so forth.

[2a5t2f7]

I'm with piperdbh. The flashes for the liturgical season will probably not be noticed by anyone else, but imho it is a very appropriate gesture.

Try this link..... http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-please-51706/

Doug

[BobsYourUncle]

Your threshold decision is whether to change out of clericals, as you suggest many will do. If you stay in clericals, you are really all set. Except that I agree with Ctbuchanon, you should consider a hose color other than black [just NOT white].

If you are going to change out of clericals, all you will really need is a formal white shirt, and a black tie [bow tie is best, regular length black tie is fine, too (four-in-hand).

However, if you want to do something a little different, and add some panache, you may want to consider diced hose and buckle brogues. Diced hose are available from J Higgins at $60 [machine knit, costing 1/2 to 1/3 what hand knit cost], available here: http://www.jhiggins.net/sf_catproduc...7B8HO1WTVR3HSD

As for buckle brogues, I favor the Glenfinnan shoe from McKenzie Frain, as recommended by Hamish, available here: http://www.mackenziefrain.com/index....uct_id=2037058 . However, Scotweb also has the more traditional Regimental style.

A good general guide as to some further options can be found in the sticky thread herein, the "1 Kilt 10 Looks Visual Guide to Formality in Highland Attire", found here:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

With your black Argyll and vest, you are really all set. Have some fun, and post some pics. Regards, BYU

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

For what it's worth, in Scotland all of my high church Anglican buddies tend to wear "civvies" to most events, and only wear clericals to civic events-- that being the case I'd suggest that you go with the black Argyll jacket, three button waistcoat, dress shirt and black bow tie. I think the flashes in the appropriate liturgical colour is a brilliant conceit, and I'd endorse it 100%! (I have a friend who is a retired Admiral who always wears one red and one green flash...). Incidentally, they all wear their family tartan and matching argyle hose.

[MacLowlife]

I vote for diced or argyle hose. If you are feeling flush, commission some to match that tartan. Black and white would be far superior to solid black, IMHO. Lavender and black would be very tasty. Check out the custom diced hose from the STM.

Please wear a white shirt to the party. I'd shine the shoes I already have.

You could easily wear a jabot, though it might look best with a 5 button vest or some other jacket than the Argyll. I do not know what church you belong to, or what that church's traditions are, but many priests I know are mildly uncomfortable/unfamiliar with a long necktie. If you can't bring yourself to sport the jabot, by all means consider a bow tie, as it is at least horizontal like your dog collar. And this is a black tie event.

[MacBean]

For what it's worth, in Scotland all of my high church Anglican buddies tend to wear "civvies" to most events, and only wear clericals to civic events-- that being the case I'd suggest that you go with the black Argyll jacket, three button waistcoat, dress shirt and black bow tie. I think the flashes in the appropriate liturgical colour is a brilliant conceit, and I'd endorse it 100%! (I have a friend who is a retired Admiral who always wears one red and one green flash...). Incidentally, they all wear their family tartan and matching argyle hose.

I'm with him on this one. The Very Rev. Allan MacLean of Dochgarroch, President of the Highland Clan Chattan Association last year during the Band of Union Celebrations in Inverness, was dressed in this fashion, never in clericals.

[Bugbear]

... If you can't bring yourself to sport the jabot, by all means consider a bow tie, as it is at least horizontal like your dog collar. And this is a black tie event.

[Jock Scot]

For what it's worth, in Scotland all of my high church Anglican buddies tend to wear "civvies" to most events, and only wear clericals to civic events-- that being the case I'd suggest that you go with the black Argyll jacket, three button waistcoat, dress shirt and black bow tie. I think the flashes in the appropriate liturgical colour is a brilliant conceit, and I'd endorse it 100%! (I have a friend who is a retired Admiral who always wears one red and one green flash...). Incidentally, they all wear their family tartan and matching argyle hose.

Sage advice there, although you could consider solid colour hose(not white) as an option.