outift advice

[Jock Scot]

Please forgive my honest opinions.

They are as valid as anyone else's, but sometimes in life there are people about that have more experience than others on a particular subject, which may lend a tad more weight to their opinion.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Hands up everyone who has attended the UN Ball in Vienna... I thought so. Okay then, let me explain what "National Costume" means on an invitation of this sort.

Many people who officially represent their country are required, by their government, to attend in national costume. Stop and think for a minute. When was the last last time you saw a picture of a Saudi prince at an official event in anything other than flowing robes? Dash off to any hair dressing salon and look at those old copies of "HELLO!" magazine and you will see pictures of sub-Saharan diplomats attending balls in national costume. Why? Because-- in 9 out of 10 instances-- they have to.

So, when the invitation says "White Tie or National Costume" it is politely opening the door for members of the international community to attend who might otherwise be excluded due to dress regulations imposed on them by their governments.

My original comments were in no way intended to discourage people from wearing the kilt. Rather they were intended to point out that the wearing of Highland attire to this event -- especially by a non-Scot-- would be wholly inappropriate.

[artificer]

These days Cossack or other Ukraine folk dress is rarely worn, it has become a quaint "costume" mostly for shows or ethnic events, etc.
So you're right if you view current Highlandwear the same way....

I don't, but I'm sure there are a good number who do. The point, which you seem to be ignoring, is that these events AREN'T just a night at the opera, or JUST a ball, they are UN functions.

SURE, wear a kilt and formal jacket to the opera, but NOT for this particular night at the opera.

Hands up everyone who has attended the UN Ball in Vienna... I thought so. Okay then, let me explain what "National Costume" means on an invitation of this sort.

Many people who officially represent their country are required, by their government, to attend in national costume. Stop and think for a minute. When was the last last time you saw a picture of a Saudi prince at an official event in anything other than flowing robes? Dash off to any hair dressing salon and look at those old copies of "HELLO!" magazine and you will see pictures of sub-Saharan diplomats attending balls in national costume. Why? Because-- in 9 out of 10 instances-- they have to.

So, when the invitation says "White Tie or National Costume" it is politely opening the door for members of the international community to attend who might otherwise be excluded due to dress regulations imposed on them by their governments.

My original comments were in no way intended to discourage people from wearing the kilt. Rather they were intended to point out that the wearing of Highland attire to this event -- especially by a non-Scot-- would be wholly inappropriate.

***.

ith:

[Tony]

Whole bunches of assumptions going on that I don't see basis for in any posts:

Opera does not seem to be a UN function. Neither is it first night or last night.

Nowhere did the OP say the ball invite was "White Tie or National Costume". In fact he specifically said Black tie.


If any of you think it inappropriate for a long term piper to not wear a kilt, then I'm absolutely gobsmacked.

What Zardoz said, with knobs on.


Joey, IMHO, wear the PC with the Murray kilt for the ball, wear the argyle for the Opera, and toss the ruche in the trashcan.
For even better results - consult the ball organizer, make sure what you have chosen passes muster with them. From what little I've read they're very strict.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Please carefully re-read posts 18 and 32.
Thank you.

[Jordan]

I was just trying to quote MacMillan but he's changed his post.

I was going to say that I agree with what he has posted, a UN event would normally have a dress code that should be adhered to with the only exeption of a native born Scotsman, I would imagine that everyone would have to explain to the hosts why they chose to wear a kilt which is going to stand out.

Just my opinion however.

Jordan

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I was just trying to quote MacMillan but he's changed his post.

I was going to say that I agree with what he has posted, a UN event would normally have a dress code that should be adhered to with the only exception of a native born Scotsman, I would imagine that everyone would have to explain to the hosts why they chose to wear a kilt which is going to stand out.

Just my opinion however.

Jordan

Something to which you have eluded, but is often overlooked, is the fact that persons inappropriately attired are regularly turned away at the door of formal events in Europe.

[Jordan]

Something to which you have eluded, but is often overlooked, is the fact that persons inappropriately attired are regularly turned away at the door of formal events in Europe.

That didn't cross my mind but it is a very good point

[Jock Scot]

Something to which you have eluded, but is often overlooked, is the fact that persons inappropriately attired are regularly turned away at the door of formal events in Europe.

Good lord! Do mean to say that they don't do that in the USA?

[Spartan Tartan]

Good lord! Do mean to say that they don't do that in the USA?

Ha! I am afraid not...