over doing the bling?

[MacBean]

Last Highland black tie event, I attended in a plain suit and took my coat off because it was hot. So I broke all the rules (esp. the one about taking my coat off), but everyone was just as welcoming and friendly. I wasn't alone in being dressed down. But heck, many of us had come thousands of miles at considerable expense just to attend the festivity. I was happier to come as "plain me" than I would have been if I had attempted overdress, and appeared foolish.

But what about sporrans? I'm about to go to another black tie event, and have pulled together a reasonable facsimile of formal Highland Dress without breaking my childrens' piggy banks open (much of it is old Scottish pieces), but I do not have a dress sporran, so will sport a black leather one. Not the thing I know, but black does seem to hide amongst the black of my doublet. Someday I'll find a dress sporran I like, but I haven't yet (that's another thread).

I'm glad to hear Jock has granted me dispensation to wear simple colored hose, because that's all I have.

[Zardoz]

What's with the "no white hose" in formal wear rants? According to my authority (Scottie Thompson), if you're not wearing diced or castellated hose "the purists...... insist the only correct color is white."

Well, the Thompson book, written in the 1970s, is full of good general info, but a few of his guidelines are quite different than some that are generally accepted now.
That statement about white hose is also preceeded by a lot of stuff about how "hard to come by" various kinds of kilt hose are, which is quickly rebuked by a look around the internet! So it, and Mr. Thompson's "purists" are perhaps a little out of date.

[kc8ufv]

More importantly, when worn, which way should the faucets point?

I thought the important thing was how many basins it has... You know, your everyday kitchen sink with 2, or the fancier ones with 3 or 4...

[Tobus]

What's with the "no white hose" in formal wear rants?

It's not just formal wear where white hose are generally considered a no-no amongst some. It's pretty much all levels of Highland dress.

The contention is (and I tend to believe it when I study portraits and photos) that white and cream hose have no historical background in Highland dress, and that they are the result of kilt hire companies in the last couple of decades renting out the cheapest stuff they can find to an unsuspecting/uneducated public. Over time, people started to believe that they were proper, since they expected the kilt hire shops would only rent out proper articles.

So seeing white or cream hose being worn by non-pipers is frowned upon by some, because it's a modern look that's the result of a cheapening effect in Highland style.

Obviously, others disagree with this notion, and continue to wear theirs. Arguments and hilarity ensue.

[artificer]

It's not just formal wear where white hose are generally considered a no-no amongst some. It's pretty much all levels of Highland dress.
...

So seeing white or cream hose being worn by non-pipers is frowned upon by some, because it's a modern look that's the result of a cheapening effect in Highland style.

Obviously, others disagree with this notion, and continue to wear theirs. Arguments and hilarity ensue.

My favorite part is the hair pulling and eye-pokes

The moral of the story is "wear whichever hose you want, someone will always disapprove".

[Jordan]

And John, I look forward to that compliment next time we are stood outside at Ferintosh having a quick smoke before a Burns Supper!

Speaking of Ferintosh had anyone heard from P1M recently?

I thought the important thing was how many basins it has... You know, your everyday kitchen sink with 2, or the fancier ones with 3 or 4...

I don't know about you but my sink only has one basin and two taps

Back on topic, I have only been invited to two black tie events that were specifically black tie, One I had to wear uniform for the other I didn’t go to.

I don’t have allot of bling one pocket watch would be the extent of It my Sgian Is antler which while not generally accepted as Formal it’s what I have and I like it so I’ll wear it when the situation arises.

But I can understand why people want to look the best they can when they go to formal events I’m sure if I had more "bling" I would wear it too

[SFCRick]

Guess what? I've NEVER been to a black tie event!!!

Are you a farmer? What do you wear after six?

[KFCarter]

Late to the party on this one...still recovering from my "match-y" issues... but as to the original question; I do attend a number of black-tie events every year, but white tie ... not so much.

Having adopted a PC rig before I knew much about the alternatives, I'm now of the mind that my preferred approach would be a barathea (or perhaps velvet) black argyle with silver buttons, three button waistcoat to match, turned down collar with self-tied bow tie (actually, I don't like that redundant term... a bow tie is something you tie... it's in the name! Those other things are some kind of odd ornament, but they are not in any way a tie! rant over ), dress sporran with a not-too-ornate silver cantle, silver chain, highly polished black brogues and... one step over Jock's bling line: argyle hose with solid garter ties.

I frankly think argyle hose are, to quote my teenage children, "the bomb" and if I held them back for a white-tie event...well, I might as well have them stuffed, mounted and hung on my wall where I'd at least get to see them. So, as soon as I own a pair, they'll become a regular part of my black tie outfit.

[kc8ufv]

Speaking of Ferintosh had anyone heard from P1M recently?


I don't know about you but my sink only has one basin and two taps

Common kitchen sink around here


Fancy kitchen sink around here

[macwilkin]

Are you a farmer? What do you wear after six?

My Iowa farmer grandfather wore formal rig for lodge functions.

T.