over doing the bling?

[thescot]

I'm something of a dabbler compared to some here, but I am very careful in my dress most of the time, whether kilted of riding a Harley.

For black tie, I try to keep it very simple: kilt, white shirt with black bow tie, PC and either a three-button waistcoat or a belt with large silver Hose would likely be dark solid color or maybe tartan.

For more formal, probably a Montrose with jabot and a white fur sporran with black tassels. Same shoes with tartan hose and red ribbon flashes. I might even wear a jeweled dirk if I am feeling foxy, and my sgian would likely be either the small jeweled one or the crown stag antler with silver disc on the pommel. I believe in bling for very dressy occassions, but I tone it down for black tie.

If I want to really make a splash, i would wear my great kilt with the Montrose; it looks quite striking. And I would always wear a black bonnet for both.

[longhuntr74]

Here is what I wear with the kilt to black tie functions:
1. navy blue velvet doublet with scarlet facings. Silver crested buttons. Tartan waistcoat--or no waistcoat even. Diced, or tartan hose or solid colour hose. Either an otter mask sporran or goat hair sporran.

To some eyes, when I am dressed like this I certainly stand apart from the crowd, there is no getting around that.

Sandy,
That jacket you mention is definitely one that makes you stand out! One of a kind and absolutely exquisite in my opinion! I know you've sent me a picture of it on a hanger? Do you happen to have a picture to share with the masses of you wearing this fine outfit? Is there any significance to your scarlet facings?

[Tobus]

I apologize if this seems OT or snobbish, or both, but I am trying to point out that (Saxon) white tie is as cookie cutter as you can get, while Scots white tie is anything but.

That is quite possibly the most profound statement in this whole thread, and it is a point very well taken.

I've always been told that (in Saxon dress, anyway) a gentleman should always dress for formal events in such a manner that the day after, no one should be able to remember what he wore. All color and 'bling' is supposed to be worn by his lady, and she is the one who is supposed to attract the attention, not him.

With Highland attire, from all I've seen, it's quite the opposite. With that in mind, 'bling' should be perfectly acceptable up to the point just shy of where it just looks foolish.

[piperdbh]

Im curious, how many people here have had an Invitation which specified Black tie with medals etc Like MoR's post?

It seems I have the wrong group of friends

[threadjack]I do not recall having ever been invited to a function where I was told what to wear. At my parents' 40th (ruby) anniversary party last year, I asked people to wear red, but, as far as I know, that's as close as I've ever come to a dress-code party.[/threadjack]

[PEEDYC]

I used to attend several black tie events when I was a bit (well a lot) younger. In the 70s I wore a very large maroon velvet bow tie and cumerbund then I moved into frilly fronted shirts with lace cuffs and so on depending on the so called fashion at the time. Coloured (including white) and tartan dinner jackets were very common too. I suppose "dressing up" a kilt outfit is similar although I for one would not do it nowadays. I keep it simple.

[Urchurdan]

I have only ever been at one do where medals were stipulated. I duly bought miniatures and had them court mounted, thank goodness I haven't too many, as I have never had the opportunity to wear them since.
Och well, they will make a good keepsake for one of the Grandkids I suppose....

[JSFMACLJR]

[threadjack]I do not recall having ever been invited to a function where I was told what to wear. At my parents' 40th (ruby) anniversary party last year, I asked people to wear red, but, as far as I know, that's as close as I've ever come to a dress-code party.[/threadjack]

I'm sorry.

[AFS1970]

...With that in mind, 'bling' should be perfectly acceptable up to the point just shy of where it just looks foolish.

Finding that elusive line and not crossing it would be the point then, wouldn't it?

[Teufel Hunden]

I envy some of you for having so many opportunities to attend formal events. Aside from the Marine Corps Birthday Ball and a very very short list of other mostly military events, I haven't had the pleasure of even being invited to any. I wore my uniform to those events, and chances are very good that the very first kilted formal event I'll attend will be my own wedding next year. So, that being said, I'm probably going to be the odd one out here, as my flavor tends to lean more heavily on personal taste rather than tradition or strictly "proper" attire.

First off, I happen to like white hose. I know a few eggs will be hurled my way for that, but I just can't get into some of the diced variations. I'd wear a pair of solid white or ivory hose to a black or white tie event and never look back. I just can't get into some of the patterned options, though I do enjoy other solid colors and some tartans.

Shoes: I love ghillies. While buckles might be more formal, I just can't seem to get into them either. Regarding shoes and hose, I wouldn't wear something I didn't like unless wearing my personal-taste alternative was the untasteful scorn equivalent of the queen doing a pole dance.


Now, as for bling or peacocking as a whole, I agree with what others have said that, generally speaking, less is more. I think subtle elegance can go a very long way. Sort of like a made to measure suit and shirt followed by a very well matching and tied tie. Sure, you're wearing a suit and tie, just like most people around you, but the simple fact that yours is properly fitting with a killer tie combo automatically sets you above the rest with off the rack suits. As someone else mentioned, simply putting on a kilt already means you're blinging, so to throw on as many accessories as possible on top of that seems to cheapen the overall classy look, at least IMO. This, unfortunately, is the end of my "wisdom" on this subject, as my theory is backed up by very little practice.

[MacLowlife]

Finding that elusive line and not crossing it would be the point then, wouldn't it?

To borrow a phrase from DECO,
They know their limits cause they cross 'em every night.


Sometimes, the only way to know how far is too far is to go there. And sometimes, we only realize years later that we may have gone too far. Luckily, there is generally someone who has gone even further.