Black Tie Event - Shoe Advice Needed

[artificer]

I vote for evening pumps / slippers, especially if you plan on dancing. You didn't mention budget, but you don't have to spend a lot to get a pair of nice velvet or black suede plain slip-ons. Patent or calfskin pumps look good with a kilt, IMHO, too. I do agree with MoR: shine is important and easy enough to do if you are wearing smooth leather shoes. It shows you care.

I cannot do slip-ons. One problem I have (and it's probably mental) is that I'm not a delicate "Fred Astaire" type. I'm a very dense 6', 209lbs and square in proportion. With shoes that are too slight of build I feel like I'm wearing bedroom slippers.

Even Oxfords, with their thinner soles, feel a bit feminine to me when I wear them. I'm not trying to be obstructive or dismissive. But when you're built like a lump of wood, delicate footwear can make you feel like a ballerina.

It's probably too long a time spent wearing boots.

I may go for the Glennfinnan Shoe. It's probably a single use shoe, as I can't see wearing it with a suit, but it might be the best shoe for the job.

BTW: back to AA's post on the waistcoat, is a 3 button the proper one to wear with an Argyll for an evening black tie event?

[Downunder Kilt]

Artificer, from what you said in your last post, I would suggest you invest in a new set of brogues (wingtips) that you are comfortable in. and give them one of your blinding spit shines.

If you are going to a formal dinner where there are going to be other kilties, you will probably find many ghillie brogues with thick soles there anyhow.

You obviously wear regular brogues a lot and as you need a new pair anyway, I think it would be false econmy to buy a pair of Glenfinnan that is a once a year wear, and then buy a pair of brogues for everday wear.

I think your use of the Argyll with a 3 button waistcoat would be most acceptable and a sporran based on your No 11 would set off the outfit a treat (no one would look at your shoes anyhow after seeing the sporran)

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

BTW: back to AA's post on the waistcoat, is a 3 button the proper one to wear with an Argyll for an evening black tie event?

Absolutely. The black Argyll jacket is incredibly versatile-- with a three button waistcoat, white shirt and studs, and a self-tied bow tie it is 100% as formal as anything else. With a five button waistcoat, white shirt, and four-in-hand tie it is perfect for a dressy evening out with the wife, or for attending a formal event during the day. They just can't be beat.

[artificer]

Artificer, from what you said in your last post, I would suggest you invest in a new set of brogues (wingtips) that you are comfortable in. and give them one of your blinding spit shines.

If you are going to a formal dinner where there are going to be other kilties, you will probably find many ghillie brogues with thick soles there anyhow.

You obviously wear regular brogues a lot and as you need a new pair anyway, I think it would be false econmy to buy a pair of Glenfinnan that is a once a year wear, and then buy a pair of brogues for everday wear.

I think your use of the Argyll with a 3 button waistcoat would be most acceptable and a sporran based on your No 11 would set off the outfit a treat (no one would look at your shoes anyhow after seeing the sporran)

Thanks Downunder! I may just cave and buy the new Allen Edmunds I've been wanting. It's a lot easier to justify $300 US for shoes you'll wear for the next 30 years (or at least until I have my knees rebuilt) than it is to spend $150US for, as you said, a once a year pair of shoes.

I do love wing tipped brogues My last pair has been the subject of several heartfelt, slightly teary toasts

As for making my own #11, my wife (who dislikes fur) said to me, after I finished #11 "NOW I see why people want fur sporrans... It's VERY lux". I fear for the future of my extra skunk pelt... With luck, I'll start cutting for my own formal sporran before she "puts her order in" again for another handbag.

Absolutely. The black Argyll jacket is incredibly versatile-- with a three button waistcoat, white shirt and studs, and a self-tied bow tie it is 100% as formal as anything else. With a five button waistcoat, white shirt, and four-in-hand tie it is perfect for a dressy evening out with the wife, or for attending a formal event during the day. They just can't be beat.

Excellent! Thank you again for your wealth of advice. It's always appreciated and makes this forum an invaluable place to dwell. I'm glad to see that I wasn't far off.

[Jock Scot]

Absolutely. The black Argyll jacket is incredibly versatile-- with a three button waistcoat, white shirt and studs, and a self-tied bow tie it is 100% as formal as anything else. With a five button waistcoat, white shirt, and four-in-hand tie it is perfect for a dressy evening out with the wife, or for attending a formal event during the day. They just can't be beat.

Bang on the button there Scott. I think this route of the three button waistcoat with an argyll is a fairly modern(?) innovation and one that I fully approve of.

These days, I don't do formal evenings any more, no puff, and as my Sheriffmuir has shrunk and my black barathea, silver buttoned argyll seems to be resistant to shrinkage, a three buttoned waistcoat is certainly the route I would go down..............although I do have a hankering for a dark green, almost black, velvet Argyll and three buttoned waistcoat......just in case........!

I think black Oxfords, well polished, are the best and most versitile option to take. We are, after all, talking "black tie" here, not some ultra formal occasion.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Bang on the button there Scott. I think this route of the three button waistcoat with an argyll is a fairly modern(?) innovation and one that I fully approve of.

Jock, believe it or not, the "Dress Argyll" in velvet or barathea enjoyed a popular vogue before the Hitler war. On my list of things I'd like, but will probably never get around to, is a velvet dress Argyll in deep violet, sort of the Highland equivalent of a proper smoking jacket...

[creagdhubh]

Absolutely. The black Argyll jacket is incredibly versatile-- with a three button waistcoat, white shirt and studs, and a self-tied bow tie it is 100% as formal as anything else. With a five button waistcoat, white shirt, and four-in-hand tie it is perfect for a dressy evening out with the wife, or for attending a formal event during the day. They just can't be beat.

I agree completely.

[Lyle1]

I would wear a 3 button waistcoat for black tie, otherwise a 5 button waistcoat. A 3 button waistcoat exposes the shirt front and studs. I would even push the envelope and wear a 3 button waistcoat in a fabric that did not match the jacket, though a matching vest is nice, too!

I totally understand how you feel about shoes. I am smaller, and prefer shoes that are cut closer to the foot and are not heavy; Italian shoes work well for me. I have a very good pair of English made brogues that will last forever, because they feel so heavy that I can't stand wearing them. I only wear them when I feel guilty about having such a well made pair of shoes sitting in the closet.

[thescot]

I am quite late to this party, but I do want Articifer to reconsider just a moment about the thinner soled shoes. While wing tips are great shoes--i agree whole heartedly--a dap toe is much better choice for dress shoes in general. For all the reasons noted above, and the fact that they are just better for dancing.

Evening shoes should feel like bed room slippers, light, comfortable, and generally not brogueish! Pumps are the choice for formal wear for a reason, and in kilts, lighter shoes like cap toes are also the proper choice. And cap toes never go out of style for men's dress shoes. A good pair of Allen Edmunds or Aldens will last you a life time, for sure.

[wildrover]

a cap toe is much better choice for dress shoes in general. For all the reasons noted above, and the fact that they are just better for dancing.

This opinion has been expressed several times in this thread, or rather, that wingtips (?) aren't good for dancing...

Would you guys mind explaining why?