over doing the bling?

[Jock Scot]

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.

Yes well, on and on -------and on-------------------------and on----------------------and on--------------and --------on------ the mischief makers and comedians go!

[artificer]

Yes well, on and on -------and on-------------------------and on----------------------and on--------------and --------on------ the mischief makers and comedians go!

I think the world should be grateful that we're here monkeying about and not out in public causing havoc and frightening the horses.
ith:

[Jock Scot]

I think the world should be grateful that we're here monkeying about and not out in public causing havoc and frightening the horses.
ith:

Well now, I have been rumbled. Yes you are quite right, I am doing the world and horses a service, in keeping you lot off the street.

[Urchurdan]

I still say do as this gentleman does - if you've got it - flaunt it....

[Cygnus]

This is one of my favourite quotes of Mr. McKinnon's, and one I've posted before:

...one should always remember that the Highlander liked gay and rich attire. Attempts to 'tone down' Highland dress are un-Scottish...

I don't mean it to be seen as an attack on anyone's "Scottishness", it is just a more authoritative source that happens to go along with what a lot of people on her are posting about "dressing to the nines" and "peacock tendencies".

That, and I happen to like this way of thinking!

I don't think I, personally, would go so far as to say that those who prefer a less "blingy" look are "un-Scottish", but there is certainly a case to be made for those who like to richly accessorize their Highland clothing!

[Jock Scot]

I still say do as this gentleman does - if you've got it - flaunt it....

You make my point precisely! On the right occasion,as ably demonstrated in your picture of Prince Charles, this is absolutely the correct attire and cannot in any way be described as "bling". He is wearing the uniform of Colonel-in-Chief of the Black Watch, when all said and done!

The accouterments worn by the Prince(for example) in the picture IF worn and with a BLACK TIE would most definitely be "bling" of the most gross of style, even if only half of it was worn!. Medals(miniatures) can be worn on the correct occasion, for sure, with black tie and I would not ever describe them as "bling".

[Kornkob]

Personally I think that determining if someone is overdressed for an occasion (is 'overdoing the bling') is largely relative to what the other attendees are wearing. I suspect that a large portion of the reason that the subtleties of white tie/black tie were developed with such careful attention to nuance is to avoid over or under-dressing to an occasion.

That being said, in my experience most people in the midwestern US think in terms of casual, business casual and formal which unfortunately leaves a great deal of range in each 'category' making it very easy to under of overdress for an event, particularly for those folks whose clothing covers a very narrow range of formality.

[AFS1970]

For me learning myt way around Highland dress, was about observing the officers and senior members of the Saint Andrews Society. These were the men who had been doing this a great deal longer than I, and many were quite helpful. Probably the best advice I got was don't worry about buying everything all at once. This has lead me to not only not worry if I don't have some seemingly proper accessory but also to not be concerned with varying styles of jacket and the like which seem to have different levels of formality.

That being said, most of these men wore fly plaids, so to me it seemed lie that was the thing to do. To me formal wear is made more formal by one, but I realize that is my perception. Now I was also told white hose was more formal, but later got into black (and other colors) hose. I did not begin to like diced or argyle hose until I became active this year on these and other forums. My first pair of argyle topped hose is in transit to me now. As for diced one, I still am trying to decide if they seem to military for me. As I never served, I would not want to be offensive.

The biggest adjustment for me has been in sporrans. When I bought my kilt, it came with a semi-formal one. I personally have never liked the ones with silver cantles, even though I know they are more formal. However I bought a full mask skunk some years ago. Initially I thought of this as an informal sporran, based solely on the underlying bag, which is large and made of fairly heavy duty leather. I have been told by many that a full mask is appropriate any time, and the bag is not visible underneath the fur. The skunk being black and white does look good with formal wear but it still feels odd sometimes.

Jacket's & Doublets are a whole other story.

[kc8ufv]

I think the world should be grateful that we're here monkeying about and not out in public causing havoc and frightening the horses.
ith:

I seem to be having some dificulty finding an image of a bunch of monkeys in kilts... Now, if only your pesky planet didn't keep obstructing my view of Venus...

[Jock Scot]

This is one of my favourite quotes of Mr. McKinnon's, and one I've posted before:



I don't mean it to be seen as an attack on anyone's "Scottishness", it is just a more authoritative source that happens to go along with what a lot of people on her are posting about "dressing to the nines" and "peacock tendencies".

That, and I happen to like this way of thinking!

I don't think I, personally, would go so far as to say that those who prefer a less "blingy" look are "un-Scottish", but there is certainly a case to be made for those who like to richly accessorize their Highland clothing!

Again my point is being made----it is from where I stand anyway!But its not what I think that matters here, it is what YOU think that interests me.

To go back to my question, "I am not saying you can't, but should we?"

I am posing the question that black tie events are generally not the time for too much "Bling" and I have asked an open question to what you think.Is this the time for the less is more effect?

Now white tie events are another matter entirely, peacock away to your hearts content!

Fascinating replies, thank you.