Quote Originally Posted by Jock Scot View Post
Again my point is being made----it is from where I stand anyway!But its not what I think that matters here, it is what YOU think that interests me.

To go back to my question, "I am not saying you can't, but should we?"

I am posing the question that black tie events are generally not the time for too much "Bling" and I have asked an open question to what you think.Is this the time for the less is more effect?

Now white tie events are another matter entirely, peacock away to your hearts content!

Fascinating replies, thank you.
Reading through this thread, I come to find much more agreement than disagreement with the view carried by your question, Jock. Your view that less is more is generally and inherently the correct one. That being said, I do not think that less is more and bling are necessarily mutually exclusive. My take away from your advocacy for less is more is that one may be best off being thoughtful about one's choices, and should avoid getting carried away or not being too susceptible to the salesmanship of folks who want to have you buy a lot of unnecessary kit.

One of the greatest values of this forum, IMHO, is the opportunity to get your views and the views of other experienced "traditionalists" like MOR[Scott], Sandy, Thistledown and many others. I, for one, want to acheive some understanding of your taste. I'm afraid that since joining the forum, I rarely don kilted attire without thinking "what would this look like to Jock Scott's eye--would his reaction be thumbs up or down". Not that I would necessarily change my dress based on that estimation, but if I am going to violate the Jock Scott aesthetic, I want to do it on as informed a basis as possible, and through choice, not ignorance.

There is, admittedly, some tension between the traditionalist advocacy of less is more and some modes of dress much celebrated and admired on this forum, by many of the very same traditionalists who also advocate for the less is more aesthetic.

For example, I have been fascinated by the discussions in various threads about tartan waistcoats for formal attire, and the photos posted as examples. Some of the photos of PM John Burgess wearing the Full Monty [kitchen sink, as we have termed it in this thread], and wearing it with dash, presumably at a black tie occasion, demonstrate a set of confident fashion choices that comes from knowing a great deal about this mode of dress. For those of us who do not have access to a John Burgess as an uncle who could provide guidance, your guidance, Jock Scott, is invaluable.

One of the clarion points you have made is that black tie events do not support as much of the bling as many of us wear to them. I think that we should all take heed, and carefully consider that in laying out our kit for black tie events.

And thank you for your guidance!