Black tie event.....help?

[MacLowlife]

Vicar, I do hope you won't let the matter of a hundred dollars or so get in the way of looking truly great. Those STM diced hose come in at $110 US and I suspect they are the sort of thing that would set you apart from the lesser kilted creatures there and earn their undying admiration for a gent who can straddle the line between sober dignity and highland elegance.

As for the jabot, they can easily be made at little expense, if you can't afford Mrs Matt's handiwork.

Please understand, the following is not meant to reflect on you or any other XMarks member, but is just good sound McGiver lore:


A while back we discussed how one could make an impromptu jabot from almost any frilly undergarment. This is very good to know should one be discovered by one's wife in possession of an otherwise unfamiliar item of such description. A quick thinking lad will twist the article slightly and attach it to his collar- evidence, darling? why No, this is my new jabot.

[The Vicar]

No offence taken at all. : )

I am most thankful for all the input that the X Marker's community is willing to put into my situation.

If a suggestion works with the kilt that is great! I am just a bit worried about having to buy an entire different outfit on my salary! : o

Any suggestion that helps put me into a proper look with what I have or what I can get only makes life a little bit easier.

Thanks again for the support.

Blk and Blue hose are not easy to find?

Robert

[Bugbear]

... Please understand, the following is not meant to reflect on you or any other XMarks member, but is just good sound McGiver lore:


A while back we discussed how one could make an impromptu jabot from almost any frilly undergarment. This is very good to know should one be discovered by one's wife in possession of an otherwise unfamiliar item of such description. A quick thinking lad will twist the article slightly and attach it to his collar- evidence, darling? why No, this is my new jabot.

I no longer believe in the black tie jabot, MacLowlife. I've been cured.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Greetings All,

Thank you all for your assistance.

The Mrs. and I are joining the Order of St. Lazarus in Canada. The cost of my cassock (RC style) with the Order's trim and cincture, my mozetta and the Mrs. Mantle are already dipping into the saving quite a lot! I am Rev. and plan to attend as a Rev. because that is what I am and I will be invested as a clergyman.

The Very Rev. Allan is Church of England? I am a Ev. Lutheran so leaning more towards the RC side.

I have been warned there will be many in kilts at the event so I better know my stuff. You can understand why I want to get this right.

In the end I have little left to spend on new items for the event, so I am still hoping to go with clergy kilt?

Keep the options coming I appreciate it!

Robert

I have sent you a PM.

[MacRobert's Reply]

What you already have Vicar sounds entirely appropriate. Wear it with a clerical collar if you are attending as a chaplain or will be contributing to the event as a clergyman (eg saying the grace or giving a benediction). If you do not have a specifically clerical role at the event, replace the clerical collar and shirt with a white dress shirt and black bow tie.

A jabot or white cravat is also ideal but best worn with a doublet. I favor the Sheriffmuir which also works well with a clerical collar.

I am a Scottish Episcopalian priest but this should work for clergy of most denominations.

PS Garters according to the season is a novel idea but a bit subtle for their significance to be recognised by others.

[KyleRoy]

Are you going as 'yourself', or in your professional capacity, and expected to wear the dog-collar? Either way, presumably your black Argyll will be appropriate.
Anyway, who said the clergy have to be 'muted'?
I don't know what a vicar would wear as evening dress, but once met the then Bishop of Portsmouth, resplendent in his wonderful purple dress outfit complete with knee-breaches and hose.

[MacLowlife]

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/fashion/index.html

If you follow this link, then go to Bill Cunningham's pictures, you will see (middle bottom) a gent in a 3 button vest with a jabot. I can't be sure if his jacket is an Argyll or something fancier, but he looks good, despite his sad choice of socks.

[MacRobert's Reply]

If you decide to wear a clerical collar with your highland dress, Vicar, you could go for a stock (or rabat). This should work well with your highland waistcoat and be much cheaper than a gilet. Like the gilet, it also enables you to wear a white collarless French-cuff shirt.

Here is an example:https://www.jandmsewing.com/shop/Pro...0%26%20Stocks/

And another:http://www.clericalshirtsclergyshirt...ock-detail.htm

[triforme]

Historically, FWIW, the clerical version of black tie, at least for Roman Catholic Clergy (called abito piano), was cassock, biretta, and a cape called a farraiolo. It's not a kilt, but it is a non-bifurcated garment. (it's also very out of style in the contemporary clergy, and sure to raise a few eyebrows).

http://alturl.com/426wg