Dressing for a wedding

[Sir Didymous]

I have a rare occurrence next month. I was invited to a wedding as a mere guest. Most of the weddings I'm at, I'm solemnizing the marriage and that leaves little to no room in terms of my choice of attire. I normally have two options; suit or vestments. On this far too rare occasion I want to wear a kilt, but I'm not sure what to wear with it. The type of dress will likely range from shirt and tie on the younger guests to black tie. I was thinking about wearing my Montrose doublet with my clergy tartan kilt. But then comes the questions:
Jabot and lace ruffs, jabot and plain ruffs, cravat and no ruffs, plain ruffs and neck stock, no ruffs and neck stock, solid or diced hose, flashes or garter ties, if flashes solid or matching tartan? Lots of questions and atrocious grammar.

[MacGumerait]

Greetings Sir Didymous ,

My first thought is that given the wedding attire will be anything from shirt and tie to black tie ... the ceremony is somewhat ranging from less formal to slightly formal ( as does happens at weddings ) , thus I would probably wear a charcoal tweed jacket and tie with my kilt or a black Argyll with shirt and tie .

I do like the look of what you have described , but it may be a bit much as a guest .

Cheers , Mike

[Jock Scot]

Is the wedding taking place during the day, or evening?
Is the wedding formal? smart? casual?------------Please note that I do not use that dreadful and meaning-less term, "semi-formal".
What is the weather likely to be?
What might the other GUESTS be wearing?
What might the GUESTS of your generation be wearing?

[Chas]

I think a Montrose would be overdressed.

[Father Bill]

I think a Montrose would be overdressed.

Probably, yes. But being clergy, you can dress it way down with no vest, no lace, and a black clerical shirt. At that point it no longer looks nearly as "gussy."

[Chas]

Probably, yes. But being clergy, you can dress it way down with no vest, no lace, and a black clerical shirt. At that point it no longer looks nearly as "gussy."

Unless the design of a Montrose has changed very recently, it is not worn with a vest anyway and a black clerical shirt would also not be seen. Unless, of course, you are advocating wearing it unbuttoned. If that were the case, then the look would be at the other end of the spectrum - somewhere between sloppy and slovenly.

[Jock Scot]

Is the wedding taking place during the day, or evening?
Is the wedding formal? smart? casual?------------Please note that I do not use that dreadful and meaning-less term, "semi-formal".
What is the weather likely to be?
What might the other GUESTS be wearing?
What might the GUESTS of your generation be wearing?

The above questions are the ones that I would ask myself and my hosts should I be invited to any wedding anywhere in the world, regardless of whether I might wear saxon wear or Highland attire. Given that I rarely wear the kilt outside Scotland, but on special request, I have worn the kilt outwith the UK to a wedding, on rare occasion.

Alright then, SMART. So armed with the reply and given that a clerical collar is not for me and bearing in mind the most important factor of all-------DO NOT OUTSHINE THE BRIDE! And this is a major consideration, particularly if you are likely to be the only one in Highland attire, so the theatrical look is best avoided at all costs, therefore, one must resist ones natural peacock tendencies! So for me, I would wear a tweed argyll, with waistcoat unless its going to be warm, plain coloured hose, plain flashes, plain sporran and black brogues(not those dreadful ghillie things). The clerical collar would not be difficult to include into this outfit.

So, basic smart wedding Highland attire(suit equivalent), something along the lines of this.

[Bareknees1]

Such a classic, classy look. Should be required viewing for all newbies like myself. Thanks, sir, for sharing.

[Father Bill]

Such a classic, classy look. Should be required viewing for all newbies like myself. Thanks, sir, for sharing.

Agreed. Don't you love the way the colours of the tartan are reflected in the jacket, tie, puff, hose, and flashes?

[Peter Lowe]

There are three family weddings in the next year and I have been invited (informally at this stage). Unless a I am informed of a specific dress code I intend wearing a charcoal grey tweed jacket and waistcoat with my Douglas tartan kilt, white shirt / green tie.

In my experience this has covered all the bases where there is no specific dress code. Thats just my 2p's worth!

Whatever you do - enjoy!

Peter