Dressing formally kilted, noob

[creagdhubh]

Tony! Good to have you back.. What you have will work just fine. Any gaps that you may want to fill in are easy fixes; here's my list of stuff I wear when going to any sort of black tie function:

BLACK TIE:

White dress shirt* and black bow tie (preferably the kind you tie yourself)
Tartan kilt
Tartan, Argyle, Diced, or sold dark colour hose (socks)
Black, low cut shoes (oxfords or ghillies), polished to a very high shine
Black dress jacket (Argyll, coatee, or doublet) with silver buttons
Black (or coloured) three-button formal waistcoat (vest) OR (if not wearing a waistcoat)
Black dress dirk belt with silver belt plate (buckle) [belt should not be worn with a waistcoat]
Dress sporran (your choice of style; if leather then black)

*Dress shirts can be bought at many JC Penny stores; the kind with a soft, fold over collar, are generally more suited to black tie than the "wing collar" shirts. Another option is a "white on white" shirt of the kind worn with business suits as it can double up for black tie, and still be worn with a suit and tie when required.

Hope that helps!

Scott
MoR

***

[Downunder Kilt]

Sorry to be contrary, but there is nothing Formal about a tweed argyll jacket, regardless of color. If the invitation says "Formal Attire" I would go with MoR's initial response. Some peoples loose interpretation, our current financial situation, or what we think might work, does not change the definition, nor the expectations.

Buy the new jacket, at a budget price if need be, and go to the event without ever worrying that you are not up to the expressed and expected standard of dress.

Regards,
Brooke

Like the thought process here Brooke

[unixken]

Sorry to be contrary, but there is nothing Formal about a tweed argyll jacket, regardless of color. If the invitation says "Formal Attire" I would go with MoR's initial response. Some peoples loose interpretation, our current financial situation, or what we think might work, does not change the definition, nor the expectations.

Buy the new jacket, at a budget price if need be, and go to the event without ever worrying that you are not up to the expressed and expected standard of dress.

Regards,
Brooke

PS. Here is a link to where I purchased mine. http://stores.ebay.com/CARSE-OF-GOWR...p2047675.l2563
It is 17oz, very well made and the service was perfect. Check his ratings!

I too, concur. Formal is still formal.
And I too, have made several purchases (some PV kilts and other items) from the eBay store linked to. Every item good quality, good prices, and fast delivery.

[Huginn and Muninn]

Worse comes to worse, rent a black barathea Argyle or PC, splurge on a good bow tie and hose. Save more money for whatever!

[TheOfficialBren]

Maybe I'm missing something here but I've always been told that when attending the OPERA it is WHITE tie. When attending the SYMPHONY it is BLACK tie.

[Tony]

Maybe I'm missing something here but I've always been told that when attending the OPERA it is WHITE tie. When attending the SYMPHONY it is BLACK tie.

I've been to the Opera many times.
You'd be hard pressed to find more than a dozen suits, let alone White Tie.

Thanks for the advice all. I really think the grey tweed wont cut it.

[Tony]

Sorry to be contrary, but there is nothing Formal about a tweed argyll jacket, regardless of color. If the invitation says "Formal Attire" I would go with MoR's initial response. Some peoples loose interpretation, our current financial situation, or what we think might work, does not change the definition, nor the expectations.

Buy the new jacket, at a budget price if need be, and go to the event without ever worrying that you are not up to the expressed and expected standard of dress.

Regards,
Brooke

PS. Here is a link to where I purchased mine. http://stores.ebay.com/CARSE-OF-GOWR...p2047675.l2563
It is 17oz, very well made and the service was perfect. Check his ratings!

Thanks for the link - though I think by the time I've added in a vest and shipping, I'm approaching the price Rocky currently has on a jacket/vest combo. And I can be there in person to see if it fits...
Now crossing my fingers that he has right size, or Carse can get it here quickly enough, else Spencer it will definitely be.

[TheOfficialBren]

I've been to the Opera many times.
You'd be hard pressed to find more than a dozen suits, let alone White Tie.

Thanks for the advice all. I really think the grey tweed wont cut it.

OIC. Then I believe that convention says to dress appropriate to the group. If a more dressed-down dress code is expected then go for it. Have fun. I like Opera and the other Serious music in addition to Rock, Metal, and Celtic.

:-)

[David Thorpe]

...I believe that convention says to dress appropriate to the group... If a more dressed-down dress code is expected then go for it.

While what one expects others to wear should be a consideration, it is not the only consideration. The venue, nature of the event and especially a dress code stated by the host or organizer must certainly also be of primary concern. In this case the dress code is explicit. Wearing a kilt does not exempt one from compliance to the host's or organizer's stated code, even though it's execution in the context of TCHD might differ from the Saxon version of appropriate and proper dress. It should be considered a condition of the invitation, regardless of whether or not others choose to honor it.

[TheOfficialBren]

While what one expects others to wear should be a consideration, it is not the only consideration. The venue, nature of the event and especially a dress code stated by the host or organizer must certainly also be of primary concern. In this case the dress code is explicit. Wearing a kilt does not exempt one from compliance to the host's or organizer's stated code, even though it's execution in the context of TCHD might differ from the Saxon version of appropriate and proper dress. It should be considered a condition of the invitation, regardless of whether or not others choose to honor it.

Which is why my FIRST post said that for OPERA one typically wears a WHITE tie. The OP suggested that there is a relaxed degree of formality at this particular Opera event.

Seems like an oxymoron to me...casual opera...to each their own, though.