over doing the bling?

[MacLowlife]

BTW: your Montrose fills me with envy. :mrgreen:

I will warn you- those middle buttons must withstand a lot of stress.

Chances are, the discerning among us will recognize an excellent opportunity to push this thread back onto the original track by comparing these two pictures. The Duke remains a model of restraint. I will admit to having put on the dog fairly heavily that night, but I had to compensate for lack of titles, and, according to this picture, hairline.

Off to do a few sit-ups...

[AFS1970]

Another factor that doesn't strictly come into play in formal wear rules, but is none the less an issue with highland dress is the overall Scottishness of the event. A good example would be Dirks.

I own two dirks, one with a (fake) Jeweled top and one with plain metal. While I have been told originally that they were day and evening versions, I would not wear either at an event that was not Scottish in nature. What is acceptable at a Burns dinner, in a room full of other peacocks would not likely be acceptable at something where I was the only kilted attendee regardless of formality. At most black tie events, no one else is wearing open weaponry.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Another factor that doesn't strictly come into play in formal wear rules, but is none the less an issue with highland dress is the overall Scottishness of the event. A good example would be Dirks.

I own two dirks, one with a (fake) Jeweled top and one with plain metal. While I have been told originally that they were day and evening versions, I would not wear either at an event that was not Scottish in nature. What is acceptable at a Burns dinner, in a room full of other peacocks would not likely be acceptable at something where I was the only kilted attendee regardless of formality. At most black tie events, no one else is wearing open weaponry.

Nowadays it seems the dirk is only worn by Auld Crabbits at white tie dinners and the like.

And as you note, at most black tie events, almost no one is openly wearing weaponry any more. That, of course, does not prevent us Auld Crabbits from discretely tucking the old Webley-Fosbery into the waistband of our kilt from time to time, as one is won't to do.

[Jordan]

Now we have stopped having a go at HRH , I feel that I should chime in with my opinino that I cant see myself ever wearing a dirk under any circumstance. For the simple reason its not worth the hassle, A young person like me (21) wearing a great big knife on my belt is only asking for trouble if I go out in public. I have already been asked to check my Sgian a few times when entering places and it has a bottle opener instead of a blade.

[JerseyLawyer]

Nowadays it seems the dirk is only worn by Auld Crabbits at white tie dinners and the like.

And as you note, at most black tie events, almost no one is openly wearing weaponry any more. That, of course, does not prevent us Auld Crabbits from discretely tucking the old Webley-Fosbery into the waistband of our kilt from time to time, as one is won't to do.

The properly dressed Auld Crabbit also has a tartan neck cord to go with his revolver, and the slide is cairngorm for full dress.

[Jock Scot]

The properly dressed Auld Crabbit also has a tartan neck cord to go with his revolver, and the slide is cairngorm for full dress.

I should think that a Webley Fosbery is just as rare as a genuine Cairngorm these days.

[JerseyLawyer]

I should think that a Webley Fosbery is just as rare as a genuine Cairngorm these days.

Smoky Quartz is not rare - indeed, it's quite an abundant semi-precious stone. It is merely quartz coming in particular from the Cairngorm mountains that has become more rare. It's likely the Webley-Fosbery is quite a bit more rare, and certainly a good bit more expensive.

[Jock Scot]

Smoky Quartz is not rare - indeed, it's quite an abundant semi-precious stone. It is merely quartz coming in particular from the Cairngorm mountains that has become more rare. It's likely the Webley-Fosbery is quite a bit more rare, and certainly a good bit more expensive.

I am told by those that know about these things that a genuine Cairngorm is as rare as hens teeth these days. As you say, smokey quartz is abundant worldwide.

My father always used to tell the tale of finding a huge chunk of Cairngorm whilst out deer stalking near Aviemore and thinking he could retrieve it on the way back home he carried on pursuing the stag------he got the stag, but could not find the Cairngorm again.

[CMcG]

Nowadays it seems the dirk is only worn by Auld Crabbits at white tie dinners and the like.

And as you note, at most black tie events, almost no one is openly wearing weaponry any more. That, of course, does not prevent us Auld Crabbits from discretely tucking the old Webley-Fosbery into the waistband of our kilt from time to time, as one is won't to do.

It's a pity that the dirk seems reserved for such rare and specific situations. I would be happy to strap one on for black tie but would be wary of over doing the bling Granted, the dirks I'm looking at don't have gems or the knife and fork but I think even the idea of carrying a more simple one might be deemed over the top.

Whether it be the social circles I run in or the more casual nature of modern, Canadian society, I had never heard of white tie formal until I found this forum. The relaxing of dress codes (or ignorance of them) may play a significant factor in people over and also under doing the bling. I'm thinking of people wearing something like a tuxedo printed tee-shirt with a Prince Charlie on the one hand, and full regalia when a black Argyle would suffice on the other....

And then there is MacLowlife. I really like the outfit he's wearing in the pic a few posts back even though it isn't entirely traditional. There is some personal flavour while still maintaining a generally formal aspect. Now, if he wore that rig for a black tie event, I think he'd be a little overdressed... but not quite over the top because he wisely went without fly plaid, dirk, and feather bonnet!

[MacLowlife]

I was the outgoing president and Auldest and Crabbiest in the Antient and Honorable order of Auld Crabbits I had already removed my ceremonial robes, which consist of the mixed fur and tails of Felis Domesticus, trimmed with the collars and registration discs of at least seven individuals. We spent the feather bonnet budget on the Missus's tights, which I still believe was money well spent.