Help CMcG With Formality?

[Teufel Hunden]

4) full formal aka "the MacLowlife"

MacQuarrie modern tartan kilt, black Spencer jacket, white wing collar plain front shirt, MacQuarrie modern tartan waistcoat, white self-tie bow tie, cap-toe black oxfords, silver cantle horsehair sporran, purple jewel top sgian, shamrock buckled dirk belt, bonnie dirk, argyle hose, red flashes, gun metal monogramed cufflinks

CMcG, as a relative newcomer to the wide world of highland formal wear, after looking at this pic, my advice is this:

Don't change a damn thing!!!!!



I'm a huge fan of this, and the dirk adds just that extra touch. Love the horse hair sporran as well.

[BoldHighlander]

CMcG, as a relative newcomer to the wide world of highland formal wear, after looking at this pic, my advice is this:

Don't change a damn thing!!!!!



I'm a huge fan of this, and the dirk adds just that extra touch. Love the horse hair sporran as well.

***

[slohairt]

Looks good to me!

The only recommendations I could think of were to maybe wear the dirk a bit more parallel to your leg and press those red flashes flat ;)

[artificer]

CMcG, as a relative newcomer to the wide world of highland formal wear, after looking at this pic, my advice is this:

Don't change a damn thing!!!!!



I'm a huge fan of this, and the dirk adds just that extra touch. Love the horse hair sporran as well.

+3. Smashing!

ith:

[CMcG]

Unless planning murder of people/haggis, dirk best left at home?.....

Nice look. I too am not a dirk man but it does look at home with this outfit

Looks good to me!

The only recommendations I could think of were to maybe wear the dirk a bit more parallel to your leg and press those red flashes flat ;)

The dirk is certainly an interesting accessory, eh?

In my neck of the woods, it is legal to carry one in appropriate situations. Outfit 4 is maximum formal, and my opportunities to get that dressed up are few and far between. I don't think I would choose the dirk for normal evening wear.

Slohairt, I swear the dirk has a mind of it's own... maybe a more robust "frog" would help it to stay parallel to the leg. And yes, those flashes really do need a pressing!

[CMcG]

This thread has been extremely helpful to me and hopefully to others as well. The Devil is truly in the details and the rabble have helped me sort a few rather important things

I've been reflecting on MacLowlife's and Davidlpope's comments about jacket and vest combinations. A look through the style thread on Xmarker's Formal Pics has confirmed that a peak-bottomed jacket looks much more put together if the peaks line up with those of the waistcoat.

My Spencer jacket doesn't line up with the bottom of my unadjustable, 3 button, black waistcoat. This leaves the option of the Spencer jacket worn without a waistcoat.

I've also tried out David's suggestion to pair my Braemar jacket with the 3 button, black waistcoat.

MoR's suggestion to pair the stock tie with a higher cut, black waistcoat does work better than the slightly more open throat of my tartan vest. I put it together in a slightly different outfit (tartan kilt rather than solid) because I think it would be more suitable for an upcoming Burn's night.

Finally, the kilt pin on my Douglas that was askew before has been straightened and secured with rubber "locks" under the apron.



5) formal aka "the davidlpope"

Douglas modern tartan kilt, black Braemar jacket, 3 button black waistcoat, lay down collar pleated front white shirt, black self-tie diamond tip bow tie, black shirt studs, cap-toe black oxfords, horsehair sporran, purple jewel topped sgian, argyle hose, red flashes, purple stone topped kilt pin, gun metal monogramed cufflinks

6) formal aka "slightly more than less is more"

Douglas modern tartan kilt, black Spencer jacket, lay down collar pleated front white shirt, black self-tie diamond tip bow tie, black shirt studs, cap-toe black oxfords, bovine evening sporran, black horn with silver celtic knots sgian, argyle hose, green flashes, purple stone topped kilt pin, gun metal monogramed cufflinks

7) formal aka "the MoR"

MacQuarrie modern tartan kilt, black Braemar jacket, wing collar plain front white shirt, white stock tie, silver harp tie pin, cap-toe black oxfords, horsehair sporran, black horn with silver celtic knots sgian, argyle hose, red flashes, plain "safety" kilt pin (waiting on another from eBay), gun metal monogramed cufflinks

[Bee]

I would take the top half of 5 and the bottom half of 6!
(I'm not too much of a fan for the horsehair sporran )

[MacLowlife]

It (The MacLowlife) looks fine from the wrong side of the tracks. I think the tartan waistcoat is a thing of beauty with that kilt and jacket. And the dirk is good, too.


However, I will whine and beg for even more adjustment to the tie. I think you have the nonchalance, but I want an Aristotelian-Platonic ratio of 2 (width) to 1 (height). Check out Churchill and Cary Grant's knots... This is entirely the result of my prejudice, formed by what was fashionable when I came of age, long ago. Your sweetie may prefer it longer, I don't know.

[artificer]

However, I will whine and beg for even more adjustment to the tie. I think you have the nonchalance, but I want an Aristotelian-Platonic ratio of 2 (width) to 1 (height). Check out Churchill and Cary Grant's knots... This is entirely the result of my prejudice, formed by what was fashionable when I came of age, long ago. Your sweetie may prefer it longer, I don't know.

MLL, you wouldn't be thinking of the GOLDEN RATIO or 1.61803398875, would you?

I think a slighly bulkier black tie (hand tied, of course) would help a little- similar to the proportions of your white tie.

That said, we are truly splitting hairs at this point. Any of the three latest outfits would be wonderful. I personally like #5 or #7 of the new group.
ith:

[davidlpope]

5) formal aka "the davidlpope"

Douglas modern tartan kilt, black Braemar jacket, 3 button black waistcoat, lay down collar pleated front white shirt, black self-tie diamond tip bow tie, black shirt studs, cap-toe black oxfords, horsehair sporran, purple jewel topped sgian, argyle hose, red flashes, purple stone topped kilt pin, gun metal monogramed cufflinks

Splendid!

PM me with your address. I have a pair of J. Higgins green/red diced hose that I will mail you so that you can also wear the MacQuarrie kilt/MacQuarrie waistcoat/red-green diced hose with this arrangment. That gives you two really sharp-looking black tie options- one dark and one "vibrant"...