over doing the bling?

[artificer]

Yes it is a mistake than many non Scots tend to make.

Did he rent his bling? I hear that's a mistake many young Scots DO make Although I don't see the ruche tie.
ith:

[macwilkin]

After reading all the points of view, it seems to me a lot of it comes down to environment and experience.

Environment - If the only event a person attends is the yearly Burns Supper and everyone else there puts on all the bling, odds are that you will do the bling too. If you attend a number of events where others follow the less is more approach, that is what you will tend to do.

Experience comes down to two different things, what you learn from others and what you have had to deal with yourself. Without resources such as this forum, most of us in the US would be at a complete loss as to the "proper" level of dress. For many, the only exposure we've had is what we've seen in the media, and we all know what a pitfall that can be. For personal experience, even if we "blinged it out" at first, we quickly come to realize just what a bother some of the stuff can be. Personally, I like the look of a fly plaid, but it can be a real bother to wear (it seems like I am constantly sitting on it if I don't pay attention). After a while, we tend to simplify to basics, with perhaps one signature item, like maybe a pair of heirloom cufflinks.

Of course, here in the States, once you've donned the kilt, you're already pretty well blinged out.

And just to add to Dave's point regarding Burns Suppers: Among the overseas/diaspora Scots and their descendants, Burns Night tends to be a more formal "do" then what you would find among the Burns clubs of the Lowlands, where a kilt is usually only seen on the piper. For many societies (and not just American ones) Burns Night is THE event of the year, and tends to be more in terms of dress.

T.

[Mike_Oettle]

Hi, Jock – your picture of Humphrey calls to mind the neighbours’ peafowl that used to invade my parents’ property when my childen were small.
Whenever we visited there, my dad used to ask the kids to chase the birds away, and my daughter would go around shouting: “Naughty ceacocks!”
Regards,
Mike

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

In the case of diced or tartan hose, I didn't see them as extras or bling, but as the preferred option for black tie wear. Now I'm finding out that this isn't always the case, so I learn some more!

Here's my take on hose:

if the invitation says---

"Black Tie, medals" I wear diced hose;

"Black Tie, Highland attire preferred" I wear tartan hose;

if it's a black tie "gentlemen only" affair I wear coloured hose.

In other words I look at the formality of the black tie event and dress up (or down) accordingly.

Now I should point out that with the exception of white socks, there is no right or wrong with wearing either diced, tartan, or solid hose with black tie; it's all a matter of personal preference in much the same vein as choosing between a doublet, coatee, or jacket for formal evening wear.

I agree 100% with Jock that "less is better"-- too many accessories can quickly impart a comic opera look to Highland attire.

[Jock Scot]

Did he rent his bling? I hear that's a mistake many young Scots DO make Although I don't see the ruche tie.
ith:

I do believe that "Humphrey's" outfit is very much his own and regrettably, he takes not a jot of notice of what I say!

[BobsYourUncle]

I do believe that "Humphrey's" outfit is very much his own and regrettably, he takes not a jot of notice of what I say!

Humphrey is gorgeous! He is clearly very confident and fashion forward! Great stuff!

[Cygnus]

Here's my take on hose:

if the invitation says---

"Black Tie, medals" I wear diced hose;

"Black Tie, Highland attire preferred" I wear tartan hose;

if it's a black tie "gentlemen only" affair I wear coloured hose.

In other words I look at the formality of the black tie event and dress up (or down) accordingly...

Scott, this makes a lot of sense to me and I will probably follow these guidelines in the future.

Thank you!

[Jock Scot]

Prince Charles wearing black tie attire at, I think, Balmoral. His shoes and hose would not be my choice, but there is nothing wrong with them, particularly in the circles that he moves in. Nevertheless note the simple and uncluttered lines of his attire, particularly when you consider what he could fasten on to himself if he wanted to.

Picture from the internet.

[Urchurdan]

Jock, I really dislike this pic of the Prince, his choice of Argylle socks to go with the Royal Stewart tartan is to my eyes at least strange. However, if you really want to see strange, this is a pic from the Internet of some North American Freemasons. Nobody I would think has anything at all to worry about on this site when you look at this pic. It is bizzare to say the least. I would ask you in particular to look at the chappy on the right end of the line up.
I have hidden their faces for obvious reasons, but it is obvious none of their members are readers of this forum...

[Jock Scot]

Perhaps its one of those
Masonic things that we don't know about, one can't help but smile though.