What to wear

[damhnade]

My husband and I are going to an event describes as a "Samhain Whisky Tasting & Ceilidh" on October 23 and don't know what to wear. The event is being held at the local concert venue and will feature one of the local pipe bands and local Celtic rock band, Prydein. It's a fundraiser for the Catamount Pipe Band to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland next year, woo-hoo! Anyway, I presume it will be a pretty casual, fun event but we, okay, I, like to make an impression as well. I will probably wear my usual Grant tartan corset over a black blouse with a knee length black skirt. But for him, I'm a bit at a loss. Obviously his Grant tartan kilt but what else? Should we play up the Halloween aspect of this and add some steampunk accessories or just keep it casual? Jacket or no? The only jacket he has is his Prince Charlie so I'm thinking no. What say you X-markers?

[Ryan Ross]

Once you're completely sure of this event's casual nature, I'd say that your husband couldn't go wrong with a good button up shirt, such as is worn in your avatar. If you two don't mind being a little matchie-matchie, in the name of the holiday, he could go for the black-out look, with black hose and shirt, belt and sporran. That's probably what I'd do.

[Riverkilt]

IF - the local pipe band had a t-shirt, have him wear that in support.

[Tobus]

Should we play up the Halloween aspect of this

Personally, I would not. It might be different if the event were being held on the actual day of Halloween and it was a theme party. But if you decide to go "costumish" with it, you might end up feeling foolish if you're the only ones there doing it.

I would take the event seriously. If you can't get confirmation on the level of dress from the organizers, go with a default of nice dress attire. Not 'formal' per se, but not casual. It's better to show up looking nice, with your husband wearing a buttoned shirt and jacket, and be overdressed, than to show up wearing a t-shirt or steampunk stuff and getting stared at.

[damhnade]

If you two don't mind being a little matchie-matchie

Oh, I LOVE being matchie-matchie! We get made fun of all the time. It's almost expected of us to match whenever we go out. We went to a comedy show once and were pulled out of the crowd for looking like Jack & Meg from The White Stripes in our red & black attire.

I've been analyzing the flyers I've seen for the event and it does seem like it will be pretty casual. They definitely emphasize the Halloween aspect of it all and use lots! and lots! of exclamation points! I think the rock music will attract a much younger crowd (it's a college town too) and they bill it as a BIG PARTY. Hopefully not too many jeans and baseball hats will show up.

[BLHS209]

What you wore on Sunday at the NHHG would be fine. "Hubby", maybe a button shirt would be the only change. A PC may be over the top as you mention it is casual. But that is just my opinion.

Chris Shepherd

[macwilkin]

I would recommend a nice pull-over sweater, similar to this photo:



T.

[Bog Trotter]

Cajunscot makes a good point. A sweater could have just the right touch. A pullover military type sweater with a dark tie, would also look smart.

[Ryan Ross]

I would recommend a nice pull-over sweater, similar to this photo:



T.

I didn't even think of that, as where I live, at that time of the year, you'd ROAST. Very good thought for the cooler climes, though.

Oh, I LOVE being matchie-matchie! We get made fun of all the time. It's almost expected of us to match whenever we go out. We went to a comedy show once and were pulled out of the crowd for looking like Jack & Meg from The White Stripes in our red & black attire.

And yes, matching can be very amusing to the onlookers. My girlfriend and I end up matching, just by pure chance, with alarming regularity. Folks seem to think it's cute and they enjoy it.

...I remember a few months ago, Abby and I went into the Scottish Tartans Museum to drop off a few bonnets, and we were wearing shirts of nearly exactly the same color(again, just by chance). Matt took one look at us as we walked in the door and exclaimed "Oooooh, you guys are disgusting!" We all had a good laugh over the whole thing.

So aye, you could wear all black, save the tartan corset, and hubby could wear all black, save the tartan kilt. Not costumes, but not necessarily what people will be used to seeing, either. You'll be a hit, I dare say.

[Slag101]

IF - the local pipe band had a t-shirt, have him wear that in support.

You never wear the t-shirt of the band your going to see!!! Not cool bro!

(for those with poor interpretation skills, it is a joke)