Formal Dinner

[McMurdo]

I just went through Hamish's photo album, looking to be vindicated on the question of Black or White/Off White hose. However I am big enough to admit that I was wrong, in all the photos of Hamish in formal gear he is wearing White or Cream (Off White) hose. Therefore until my Argyle hose are ready I will wear my cream hose with my Prince Charlie.

[starbkjrus]

I just went through Hamish's photo album, looking to be vindicated on the question of Black or White/Off White hose. However I am big enough to admit that I was wrong, in all the photos of Hamish in formal gear he is wearing White or Cream (Off White) hose. Therefore until my Argyle hose are ready I will wear my cream hose with my Prince Charlie.

I actually like black hose w/ evening wear but in actuality Hamish has said at least once that he doesn't. He says that black hose w/ black shoes makes you too bottom heavy. I just add bright flashes.

To give this a maroon YANK back on topic I have to agree w/ Panache. I'm not so sure that a modified Eton would work with a waistcoat; I'd go with the formal belt and buckle. --OR-- as has been suggested go searching for ex-hires for sale.

[ChromeScholar]

The hose question may be a moot point, as I have cream hose that fit my over-sized calves, and my black hose do not. I may or may not be able to get/justify/afford new black hose, since I already have cream hose that fit.

as has been suggested go searching for ex-hires for sale.

Red_Raven and I discussed this last night.

[campbell]

You don't need a lot of accessories to look great. I just wear the Eton jacket like it is. I wear a green tie I got from www.scnt1.com, a kilt belt from stillwater (www.stillwaterkilts.com), and a plain black sporran from stillwater. Cream hose, green flashes, a white shirt, and black dress shoes. My kilt is a Campbell sportkilt, or Stillwater economy black watch. Leave the jacket open, tuck your tie behind the silver belt buckle, and you will look fine. Forget the Brigadoon, over dressed look. It is gross. You are not a Clan chief. There is no reason to wear a fly plaid or Prince Charlie. Just wear a suit. Check out this thread:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ht=eton+jacket

[Chef]

Unless you plan on attending a lot of formal affairs I would suggest going with the belt and the dress buckle.
...Simple, a Mess jacket is never going to make a perfect Prince Charlie. But it can be a very nice formal kilt jacket. I think that a white tux shirt, bow tie, fancy belt, white hose, nice dress shoes, and a semi dress sporran, and a black mess jacket (perhaps with silver celtic buttons) creates a formal kilted look that isn't trying to be something it is not.

I think Jamie is right on here. It depends on your expected need. The Eton or other modified jacket will look fine, but it’s not a PC, so you’re better to go with its strengths and a good belt will do better. If you are going to buy a waistcoat for an Eton jacket you would be better to try and find a bargain on a PC.

On the other hand, if you can find a PC at a decent price and you don't see yourself changing sizes a lot you will be able to wear it for years.

White and off white hose maybe far too common but I think that the white hose helps tie in the white tux shirt with the rest of the outfit. ... To me the formal kilted outfit is a delicate balance of simple lblack and white that offsets the dramatic colors of the tartan kilt and matching flashes.

Again, I agree, I have a pair if tartan hose and they are wonderful, but I hardly ever wear them. I prefer the off white. When I wear the tartan hose it seems too busy and I think it takes away from the look of the kilt.

Leave the jacket open, tuck your tie behind the silver belt buckle, and you will look fine.

I disagree here; a long tie should be tied so that it isn't necessary to tuck the end (especially for a formal event). It should end just above the buckle of your belt. However, I would recommend a bow tie, preferably one you tie, for a formal dinner.

[Chef]

Please excuse this aside, I do not want to hijack this thread.

Forget the Brigadoon, over dressed look. It is gross. You are not a Clan chief.

I am unsure of what you meant as the "Brigadoon Look"

Is it this?



Or perhaps this?




I guess you are referring to this:



You may not care for the look but that is your opinion. It is a traditional, and in my opinion, a great look for a formal occasion. Might I suggest that your words were a bit strong for an opinion of what others on this forum wear. I am sure you would be upset if those of us who own traditional kilt jackets made the same statement about wearing an Eton jacket with a kilt.

Personally I think ChromeScholar would be better buying a PC if he feels he will get the use from it. IMHO the Eton jackets work, but they are not kilt jackets and don't quite have the right look.Military style mess jackets work a bit better but they are also a bit more expensive.

However, most people simply do not need black tie very often and cannot justify the cost of a traditional PC or worse a doublet and I am very glad that there are cost effective alternatives that look quite nice.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread:

[campbell]

The second photo is spot on. That is EXACTLY the look I was referring to! It is horrible, and I have seen too many people dressed like that. Hamish on the other hand, looks fantastic.

[Chef]

Honesty I have never seen anyone dressed like that in all the years I have worn a kilt. I'm not sure they are even wearing kilts in that second photo.

[mbhandy]

The second photo is spot on. That is EXACTLY the look I was referring to! It is horrible, and I have seen too many people dressed like that. Hamish on the other hand, looks fantastic.

I think it might be the tails or maybe the green socks
As I was scanning down and hit the green socks with all that red all I could think was "Jingle Bells Jingle Bells". Where is Father Christmas??? Not a Formal affair.

MrBill

[Chef]

I think it might be the tails or maybe the green socks
As I was scanning down and hit the green socks with all that red all I could think was "Jingle Bells Jingle Bells". Where is Father Christmas??? Not a Formal affair.MrBill

The picture came from a high school production of Brigadoon; they are in costume. I doubt they are kilt wearers other than for the play.