over doing the bling?

[English Bloke]

Chas (background left), Me, Mrs-EB, Robertson

I wear a PC for evening best now (after 18:00hrs). It's beautifully made, fits like a glove and I think it looks very dapper. But then being an ex squaddie and used to Mess Dress, I probably would.

It came from a company of tailors in Yorkshire that were selling up last year. I got it via X-Marker Paul at a wizzo bargin price and it's superb quality compared to some of the foreign imports I've seen (so long as you don't count England as foreign). As an aside, prior to buying this I did explore a number of options including having a bespoke, mess-style jacket in neutral livery made up (I prefer the cut). Far to expensive for me unfortunately.


Some more examples: Chas, Alex, Emma, Paul, Laura.


Me, Hamish (The 15 year old piper) Shane (The Australian), Dave.


Sandra, Dave, Me, Dee.

At this particular function (Ferintosh Burns Supper II 2010) there was a number of different levels of dress on show. Everyone had made the best effort within their means, there was nothing out of the hire-shop box and there were no two get-ups alike. I appreciate that some of the outfits shown here are not tradtional highland attire and this isn't proper Black (or white) Tie but is about the nearest I get to a posh doo these days and to be honest, that's how I like it. A sort of formal informality. Mind on a Burns night it's appreciation of the Bard that's important, not the kit you wear (within reason of course...)

Jordan - P1M is still about but busy on other projects... you can email him through the guest house website. I'm sure he'd love to hear from you.

[BobsYourUncle]

Well, the real answer is that Yes, we are overdoing the bling...most of us intentionally because that is what we like to wear.

I will say that other posters here hit the nail on the head with comments about a global tendency to "dress down". Jeans, dockers or khaki pants, in warm weather shorts and t-shirts seem to be worn universally, and are the new "norm". All of us, by choosing to wear the kilt, are choosing to go against this numbing conformity of drabness.

Another poster referred to his own "peacock tendencies". Choosing to wear the kilt, IMHO, necessarily involves indulging in peacock tendencies. Once that choice is made, all other choices about levels of formality, or how much bling, pale in comparison.

My concern in putting together an outfit is more focused on making sure that my kit is consistent in level of formality [no nyon Stillwater sporran with black tie gear, no buckle shoes with kilt and t-shirt, etc.], and that the bling I bring is at least o.k. for the event. I may be a little over the top in wearing diced hose and buckle shoes to a black tie event, but for most attendees, just wearing the kilt put me so far over the top that they aren't going to be able to focus on whether I should be wearing those particular hose or shoes... For those who like it, I say, bling it on!

[Jordan]

Jordan - P1M is still about but busy on other projects... you can email him through the guest house website. I'm sure he'd love to hear from you.

Thanks I might just do that it had just occurred to me that I haven’t heard anything about any Ferintosh Burns suppers 2011 yet. Maybe you know more than I do?

One thing I noticed while I was down there and your photos show it was that everyone wore the best they had so it wasn’t specifically a Black tie do but everyone looked smart and most importantly everyone had fun.

I will say that other posters here hit the nail on the head with comments about a global tendency to "dress down". Jeans, dockers or khaki pants, in warm weather shorts and t-shirts seem to be worn universally, and are the new "norm". All of us, by choosing to wear the kilt, are choosing to go against this numbing conformity of drabness.

I really don’t like this tendency to dress down, I was at a celidh a few weeks back and while there was the usual mix of styles uber formal (my old O.C wore a tux) to shirt and tie showing people mad the effort there was one person who decided to wear a tracksuit a bright orange and green tracksuit at that. Personally I think If you’re going out to a smartish event then a shirt is the minimum standard more if its smarter but for an evening event I would rather be the smartest looking person in the room than the scruffiest!

Just my tuppence
Jordan

[ohiopiper]

I think it's a combination of several factors, all mentioned previously by other posters.

Conventions of dress are not commonly adhered to anymore in most places. At one time, knowing the time of day for an event automatically dictated the level of dress. Now, the level of dress is often dictated by the event, regardless of time of day. Couple this with the "dressing down" of the average person, and you have confusion and chaos, as well as discussion amongst folks who actually do know the conventions of dress.

Secondly, and related to the "dressing down" of most people and societal expectations, we are often tempted to "gild the lily" when any level of formal dress is called for because it is out of the everyday norm for us.

Just as an example, I wear worn out blue jeans and old tee-shirts to work. I work in a factory (machinist) and this is appropriate since I dont want to ruin better clothes with coolant and oil. I wear them when I leave the house and take them off when I get home. There as a time, however, when it was normal for a man to wear much better clothes to work, sometimes even a suit and tie, and change into suitable work clothes in the locker room. So, my Monday - Friday wardrobe consists of items that would be discarded as unserviceable by a thrift shop. Saturdays usually finds me in a pair of khakis and polo shirt or indigo dyed (dark blue) jeans and polo or button down shirt. Sundays is a suit and tie. None of these modes of dress approach what would be considered formal black tie, much less white tie. When the opportunity arises, then, there is a definate temptation or percieved need to overdo it.

My humble opinion, submitted for review, and possibly well deserved rebuke!

[Jock Scot]

Ohiopiper.


On the contrary; what you say makes good sense to me.

[Urchurdan]

I make NO apologies whatever about what I choose to wear or not to wear. We are all Dandies at heart, thats why we wear the kilt and love to 'strut our stuff'. I can dress a kilt down, or dress it up as and how the occasion may demand.
If you have the 'Bling'- I personally dislike that word, so could I replace it with 'finery' and you are going to the right occasion, then flaunt it....

[denmcdough]

Urchurdan, right on, brother!!!

[Jock Scot]

Some very valid points have been raised here and very interesting they have been.

I think we have a divergence of definition arising and it perhaps is one thing that we need to be aware of. I point out here and now that neither are wrong, but it exists.

To me and I think many others too, a dress situation means putting on the finery which means for example,Black tie, dress shirt(UK definition), dress jacket etc.etc. and the "Bling"(sorry Urchurdan! But I can't think of another word for these possible add on's) are the added bits and pieces such as, fly plaid, buckled shoes, etc.etc..

Now if I have understood Urchurdan and others correctly, they regard the whole kaboodle as finery. Nothing wrong or contentious in that whatsoever----- just a difference of definition. We need to be aware of this.......that is all.

I am most certainly questioning whether these "add ons" are appropriate for a black tie occasion. I have my own ideas on the subject, as you all know, but I have not and I am not criticising any one who has a contrary view. I am just posing a question and enjoying the assorted points of view.

[davedove]

Common kitchen sink around here


Fancy kitchen sink around here

Of course, now the question I have is - do you wear the stainless finish for daywear and the enamel finish for dress, or is it the other way around.

[artificer]

Of course, now the question I have is - do you wear the stainless finish for daywear and the enamel finish for dress, or is it the other way around.

Stainless is the "full mask" of sinks, it can be worn for day or evening dress. Corian is for day only, Enamel is suitable for evenings. German Silver is white tie ONLY.