outift advice

[tripleblessed]

Pleading guilty. While I would go with what MoR and especially Jock have said,
I am unwilling to dictate behavior to others, is all.

For myself, as Jock says, I've begged, borrowed, rented, and stayed home.

[Charlie]

***. Wearing a black kilt just because it's a "tails" type of event seems like an attempt to Saxonize the kilt.

This being a United Nations ball, you may run into actual Scotsmen there. Do them proud, and wear the kilt according to their tradition! And besides, people from all other nations who are present will likely recognize the kilt more readily in its original context.

I agree you should wear the tartan kilt as itin a United Nations Ball it provides a "Scottish" identity.

[Jock Scot]

I agree you should wear the tartan kilt as itin a United Nations Ball it provides a "Scottish" identity.

Well yes and no. If the "Highland attire" option is given or the "national attire" option is available then fair enough for those that qualify as being of that nation. However, if a Canadian, Russian, Mongolian, American, Scot or whatever citizen should choose to wear another nation's attire, then not only is he identifying that particular nation's national dress he is also identifying himself as a poser.

At low key events, well OK, we can accept with good grace people's distant roots and we may accept that there are some who have no connection to a culture or nation and want to adopt a national dress. But we are not talking about low key events here are we? No we are not!We are talking about a major international institution at an internationally respected venue and function with no doubt plenty of "Top Brass" in attendance. If you want to be be noticed dressed in the kilt then you will be, if you want to be taken seriously, then it will be a better option by far, to heed MoR's advice. If you want to just get noticed and don't want to be taken seriously then do the job in style and wear a clowns outfit! And don't expect to be attending next year!

[Tobus]

Well yes and no. If the "Highland attire" option is given or the "national attire" option is available then fair enough for those that qualify as being of that nation. However, if a Canadian, Russian, Mongolian, American, Scot or whatever citizen should choose to wear another nation's attire, then not only is he identifying that particular nation's national dress he is also identifying himself as a poser.

Well, that's a good point. I hadn't thought of it that way. Maybe the kilt is not at all appropriate for a non-Scot to wear on this particular occasion, being hosted by a multi-national group where national identity is important.

[ForresterModern]

If you wear the kilt and Highland attire to an international event like this be prepared to explain your association to Scotland as the reason for wearing the kilt, otherwise, as Jock says, you will likely not be taken seriously and may be seen as a poseur, a fraud in an outfit not of his nationality or direct heritage. IF you have the association and desire to wear it do not hesitate to wear the tartan, but be prepared for the peacock effect----you may outshine your date in dress for the evening and garner all the attention she should be recieiving, or worse, clash hideously with her outfit and look like you are not even together as a couple.

Re: the opera, a black argyll might make the grade but a navy one is even less dressy in what is deemed a slightly less formal but still black tie event, so as the others have stated I would stick to the PC, although this might be the opportunity to wear your black kilt as there will be less ethnicity pressure on this night than on the ball, especially if you have worn your tartan kilt the first night.

Enjoy. If you feel good wearing what you are wearing you will look good.

j

[Zardoz]

In the earlier days of X-Marks, when "promoting the kilt as a man’s garment, not a costume" was part of our mission statement, the membership would generally support each-others desire to wear their kilt with pride anywhere they wanted.
Now the idea of "promoting the kilt" is diluted by the handful of naysayers who seem to be able to find a way to be dismissive about wearing it just about anywhere.

So I apologize to any fledgling kilt wearers out there who may be reading this, or any other of the "should I wear" type threads on this forum, looking for support.

[artificer]

In the earlier days of X-Marks, when "promoting the kilt as a man’s garment, not a costume" was part of our mission statement, the membership would generally support each-others desire to wear their kilt with pride anywhere they wanted.
Now the idea of "promoting the kilt" is diluted by the handful of naysayers who seem to be able to find a way to be dismissive about wearing it just about anywhere.

So I apologize to any fledgling kilt wearers out there who may be reading this, or any other of the "should I wear" type threads on this forum, looking for support.

Zardoz, this DOES seem to be a very special case. It's a UN event, not just a fancy 'Do'. National dress that ISN'T directly yours would seem to be cause for comment.

The OP wouldn't consider dressing like a traditional Cossack right? because it would be a costume (and presumably he isn't Cossack either ) If he isn't Scots, he shouldn't dress as a Scot at a UN event.

At an event where national identity IS an issue, I think the situation would call for the most delicate of kid gloves. Wear the kilt the other 364 days of the year is my advice, leave it off for this event.

[Jock Scot]

In the earlier days of X-Marks, when "promoting the kilt as a man’s garment, not a costume" was part of our mission statement, the membership would generally support each-others desire to wear their kilt with pride anywhere they wanted.
Now the idea of "promoting the kilt" is diluted by the handful of naysayers who seem to be able to find a way to be dismissive about wearing it just about anywhere.

So I apologize to any fledgling kilt wearers out there who may be reading this, or any other of the "should I wear" type threads on this forum, looking for support.

Ahem. We are talking Vienna here in Europe not Houston Texas. There are no doubt different emphasis on standards of dress between continents. It is not a matter of right and wrong or vice versa, but nevertheless what is acceptable in one continent is inevitably different on another and demonstrably so. An honest opinion has been asked for and honest opinions have been given from all points of view and some honest opinions are even based on Scottish and indeed Viennese experiences so I don't think I need a Texan to apologise for my views thank you.I can do that all by myself should the occasion arise.

[Zardoz]

The OP wouldn't consider dressing like a traditional Cossack right? because it would be a costume (and presumably he isn't Cossack either ) If he isn't Scots, he shouldn't dress as a Scot at a UN event.

These days Cossack or other Ukraine folk dress is rarely worn, it has become a quaint "costume" mostly for shows or ethnic events, etc.
So you're right if you view current Highlandwear the same way....

[Zardoz]

Ahem. We are talking Vienna here in Europe not Houston Texas. There are no doubt different emphasis on standards of dress between continents. It is not a matter of right and wrong or vice versa, but nevertheless what is acceptable in one continent is inevitably different on another and demonstrably so. An honest opinion has been asked for and honest opinions have been given from all points of view and some honest opinions are even based on Scottish and indeed Viennese experiences so I don't think I need a Texan to apologise for my views thank you.I can do that all by myself should the occasion arise.

Please forgive my honest opinions.