Modern Formal

[AKScott]

I thought I had it, then I didn't, but I sort of do, so I'll throw it out there. I have been building "What would a Scot make for himself in Alaska?"

for autumn and winter black tie in interior Alaska:

16oz Clan tank or 22oz Pakistan Black Watch, some nights are colder than others.
Buckle brogues
claret hose
contrasting garters, yellow with clan green, likely bright red or bright green with Black Watch
sgian dubh, fossil walrus ivory handle

pewter cantled sporran, wolverine fur. I am already sending payments to artificer though I don't have a pelt yet. It is going to look, at first glance just like horse- wait that isn't horsehair. black leather strap.

Some kind of cutaway rather than a wing collar on a pleated tux shirt, plain white.
black cuff links
black shirt studs
self tie Brooks Brothers black bow tie
black GTO with black interior (all three of my black cars lifetime; first, last and only, I really did buy the car because it matched my tuxedo so well)
three button black vest with deeply plunging neckline
kilt cut tuxedo jacket.
freshly shaven
single earring (left) either emerald or ruby ~5x7mm
wife

Seated at a table cloth I'll look just like all the other shmoes...

I just can't bring myself to pony up for diced hose, though it is tempting if I come into a windfall.

Sorry to drop semi-THCD in a modern thread sort of.

EDIT: I think with a windfall I would be more liekly to go with a Clan Red tank rather than diced or argyle hose. Lets just say I have toe talons and stop before that becomes TMI.

[CMcG]

The most common contemporary formal look seems to use either a more limited colour palette or, as Chrisupyonder suggested, monochromatic. Sometimes a clan tartan kilt is worn, sometimes low contrast fashion tartans (think grey on black), or sometimes even solid colours. Pared down versions of traditional jackets are offered without fancy cuffs, or with buttons that might be black or antiqued metal. Shirts can be white but are sometimes black, and large wing collars are often found.

The ruche knot (scrunchy knot) on an ascot tie is often seen. Strangely enough, I've also often seen these sorts of outfits worn with ghillie brogues, which seems to go against the general simplification of the look. I don't mind the look, but I'd go with plain, well shined oxfords and a stock tie instead. I'd also think a more modern sporran might work nicely with them, like one with a blacked cantle to go with the buttons.

Here's some pics:

[CMcG]

For Alan H:

I think a Gurkha mess jacket would work nicely as they have the mandarin collar you are talking about but already have a short waist.



Or perhaps something like this that I saw on eBay:


I'm not sure if either of those come in Highland athlete sizes though

[rondo]

CMcG,
Those are nice looking contemporary outfits. I particularly like the Gurkha mess jacket. Very understated.
Rondo

[kc8ufv]

CMcG: I like the look of the guys with the red ties in your pics. Especially the 2nd one. It really makes things pop.

This thread got me thinking, would any of you even consider this as part of your formalwear?

[rondo]

CMcG: I like the look of the guys with the red ties in your pics. Especially the 2nd one. It really makes things pop.

This thread got me thinking, would any of you even consider this as part of your formalwear?

Not for me. Just a little too Saxon for my taste.
Rondo

[Alan H]

CmCG, the Ghurka mess jacket is spot on! Love it! I notice that Nehru/Mandarin collar, buttonless tuxedo's are now available at many of the tux rental places. These probably rent to the "young and innovative" lads.

CmCG the other things you posted are without a doubt contemporary. They definitely are a departure from the standard black tie Prince Charlie. However, they still are solidly in the "Scottish" tradition: tartan kilt, sporran and so on.. I figured that this post was about contemporary kilts like Utilikilts, Freedom Kilts dress models in solid colors, Amerikilts and so on, perhaps made in more "formal" colors and fabrics.

That's just my take on what this forum is all about. Certainly there is no harm in posting about contemporary takes on the more traditional Scottish look, and in fact I'm a big fan of the monochrome "granite" type tartans. I have thought about getting one to wear on stage for Orchestra concerts, where in my group, we are supposed to wear black/white/gray with a "touch of color". For this guys, this usually means black or gray pants, black shirts and a bright tie. A "granite" type tartan topped with a black shirt would work just fine for this.

As for the black contemporary kilt with the satin stripe, kc8ufv. No. No and again NO. Hey, if you all like it, that's great. If there's one principle working in this sub-forum, it's that you should do what seems right to you and not worry about "tradition" too much. I just don't see the point of the satin stripe, and I personally think it looks silly.

[Alan H]

In fact, I like that Gurkha mess jacket so much that I just might buy one, if anybody knows where they are available, and they don't cost a mint.

[rondo]

Hey Alan,
CMcG nailed it. I got run off from the THCD forum awhile back...too conservative for me. I love tartan kilts, just looking for a more contemporary take on the rest of the package. I am 4th generation American/Scot...so interested in honoring my heritage without being locked into late 19th-early 20th century fashion.

Rondo

[Bugbear]

I just felt the flashiness of the Highland formal attire wasn't right for me, rondo. That's why I backed away, and also the tuxedo reference. I think it looks nice, but on someone else; I don't feel right wearing it and it isn't my tradition in the first place.