wanting to do prom, help!

[McNulty]

The Junior class is responsible for putting on the Senior prom and I'm one of the "Sponsors" for the Junior class. They okayed my wearing a kilt to prom so I was in the same boat as you. I'm going to borrow a dark blue Argyll jacket and vest from a friend, I have a formal shirt and will use a bow tie, and a simple but black sporran with my 16 oz Black Watch kilt. Hose to match the BW kilt and I'll super shine my shoes Leave the sgian dubh at home as it has no place at a school function. I'm lucky to know enough people to borrow stuff from. I want the students to stand out and shine ( and my date; my wife), not me, so I'll adhere to the KISS method of doing things:Keep It Simple Stupid. They were gracious enough (actually encouraged me) to let me wear my kilt. As the night wears on, you'll be taking stuff off because you're overheated, remember that you will be kilted. Most importantly.........Have a great time and be safe!!!!!!
Nulty

[Nick the DSM]

dude, you look fine with what ya have on in that second pic- dont think you need to go to the extremes here for a prom.

[1oldsarge]

You might consider renting what you need.
If you need shiny black shoes, check out Shoebuy.com. They have a sale going on, free shipping and no tax.

[Nick the DSM]

you could just make yourself look nice with the kilt.

[cwr89]

another thought, should I get a new kilt pin? all I have is a part os a deer antler with an earth magnet on it, should I get one that is silver? (or silver look-alike)
thanks!
~Casey

[billmcc]

another thought, should I get a new kilt pin? all I have is a part os a deer antler with an earth magnet on it, should I get one that is silver? (or silver look-alike)
thanks!
~Casey

Something a bit more elegant than a deer antler kilt pin would be a good idea. Get a kilt pin that reflects who you are. If I remember correctly, you are very involved in church activities. If so, a celtic cross would be a good choice.

[Amoskeag]

I'm going to throw this in for consideration. Take a minute to assess what you are trying say with your outfit. Renting an outfit will certainly put you at the top of the formality list and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you put your kit together with what you have and supplement it with some well thought purchases, you now have a personalized outfit which is distinctly you. It may not be the hight of fashion but if you go about it with a sense of authenticity, integrity, and attention to style you will never fail to impress yourself and those around you. I would suggest that you "do the best you can with what you've got" and wear it "PROUDLY"!
I don't mean to take anything away from other posters; it's all great advise, nor do I wish to venture into any other multi-page threads on style/fashion/expense. The important part is that you show folks that you are comfortable and at ease in some really fine clothing! Have Fun!!!!!!
Bob

[michaelbeeman]

Casey, I'll toss my 2 cents in. I am in agreement here, you already have the makings of a great "Formal" outfit. Black belt and sporran instead of brown, and that waistcoat, and Bam! Best Dressed Man at the Prom! Have fun, Brother!

[pipesndrumsnun]

Hey, there...

No need to replace the kilt you already have...save that money for something else!

Wear the kilt, tie, hose, shoes, and jacket that you have. Get a black "Dress" vest from sixstaruniforms.com (nice quality, inexpensive, and fast!), and a black sporran. I say, by all means, if you'd like to do the fly plaid and brooch, do so...you only have your senior prom once, and it is always fun to dress to the nines for the event! Kevin looked great in his prom photo with the fly plaid...not too dressy or out of place.

If you got the sporran, brooch, and plaid from SWK and the vest from sixstar, you'd have everything you could need or want without breaking the bank! AND, be sure to thank your mom for helping you on the cash end!

Good luck and have fun (with the preparations and the event!)!!

[The Wizard of BC]

There is elegance in simplicity. You already have most of the items that are considered as part of a formal outfit. With the addition of a nice vest and a black sporran you shouldn't need to buy much more.

1) You have a pair of good shoes just make sure they are polished till they glisten.

2) You have a kilt. )I would upgrade to a USA Kilts Semi-Trad if I could. Second best choice would be a Stillwater Standard.) Which ever Kilt you use, spend some time basting and pressing the pleats till they hang perfectly straight. Look in the mirror at your pleats. They should not hang in waves like a stage curtain.

3) The vest will be very hard to buy and get an exact color match so think about a vest in Dove Gray or other color. Wear your outfit to your local Tux rental shop and ask them to help with the vest. You don't wear a belt with a vest so you can scratch that item off your list.

4) While you are at the tux shop look at a shirt that fits in the sleeves. The one in your photo has the sleeves too long. there should be only about 1/2" to 1" of shirt cuff showing. The shirt should also be one that takes studs instead of buttons. The small black or dark pearl studs. It should also have French Cuffs for Cufflinks. Your Shirt Studs, Cuff Links and Kilt Pin don't have to match exactly but I usually lay mine out on a table together and try to choose ones that look like they were bought at the same time as a set.

5) I do the same thing with my flashes as I do with my jewelry. I pick flashes that are the same as the handkerchief in the pocket of my Jacket. Flashes are really easy to make as a DIY project. Barb T. posted a great tutorial on making flashes.

6) Forget the Fly Plaid and the hat. The idea of formal is to look elegant, not costume. And the last thing you want to do is outdress your date. NEVER UPSTAGE YOUR DATE!!!!! Keep everything simple, understated, and elegant. When you see the photos of you and your date you should notice her, not you.

7) Your sporran should be black. That's the only rule. Something simple, black, perhaps with tassels. But remember to polish it with shoe polish and make it glisten like your shoes.

8) The next thing I would do is get a nice haircut. Now before you scream that I'm making you get a short haircut, don't. I don't mean short. I mean neat, clean, and elegant. Heck, a visit to a good hairdresser does wonders for the overall look of an outfit.

That's it really, KISS Keep it Simple Stupid. Everything you wear, should be clean, pressed, polished, and elegant. And along with the pride in your outfit, and the pride of having your date on your arm when you walk in will make you walk with pride. There is nothing better to make people notice how well an outfit looks than your own pride in what you have created.