Wearing Formal Attire

**pastorsteve** · 8th February 09, 03:05 PM

Along the line of some of my other posts in seeking wisdom where only a void exists - As I am new to the world of formal kilt wearing and I have one kilt a day-wear MacDonald - would it be considered normal to wear a formal Black Watch or Scottish National to a formal event and not my clan tartan?

Taken one step farther, to a St. Andrews dinner or clan function?

I'm thinking of, in the near future, getting a second kilt but don't want it to be another MacDonald but since it will be a "better" kilt than my current one, it would likely be a clan-neutral Scottish National, Freedom or Black Watchto be worn to dressier events.

**The Barry** · 8th February 09, 03:17 PM

What makes your MacDonald a "day wear" kilt? Does it have less yardage? Pockets?

I have two kilts in my family tartan. One is a machine-stitched 16oz 5-6ish yarder, for day wear, casual wear, etc. the other is my 16oz hand-stitched tank, it's for more formal events. One I'll wear with a soccer jersey, the other I wouldn't dream of it, etc..

That's the route I went, two in my family tartan. It's an option, that way, you won't end up wearing a Black Watch to a formal-ish MacDonald evening event.

**pastorsteve** · 8th February 09, 03:20 PM

No it's a SWK Standard. It's just not a heavy-weight wool or wool-like kilt. So by day-wear I mean more daily wear.

**svc40bt** · 8th February 09, 03:28 PM

Your clan tartan is completely appropriate for formal events. If you have seen universal tartans at formal events it is most likely because they were rentals, that are normally available in only a few, mostly universal, tartans.

Now, you will get many opinions as to whether a SWK Standard is acceptable for formalwear, but if you plan to get a 8 yd wool kilt, I would get your clan tartan, unless you don't like your clan tartan.

**pastorsteve** · 8th February 09, 03:34 PM

Nope. Love the clan tartan, I just don't need two kilts of one tartan.

**beloitpiper** · 8th February 09, 03:40 PM

I know people with multiple kilts in the same tartan. But if you want to get a different one for formal functions, then a universal tartan would be a good choice. A SWK standard, in my opinion, would not be appropriate for formal wear.

**macwilkin** · 8th February 09, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by pastorsteve

Nope. Love the clan tartan, I just don't need two kilts of one tartan.

There is always the district tartan option, and your state, Colorado, does have its own tartan.

That being said, there is no reason why someone can't own more than one kilt in the same tartan -- and there are always options, such as ancient/weathered/muted colours.

Regards,

Todd

**McMurdo** · 8th February 09, 04:08 PM

I'd consider what Todd says, but to get back to your question I think it would be just fine to wear a universal tartan to such an event. I've worn my Isle of Skye to many functions Black tie and other. So I say if you like them go for it.

**Buckskin** · 8th February 09, 04:16 PM

http://www.lochcarron.com/stromesw.htm

Take a look at the MacDonald Tartans avaliable. My quick counts says you could have 28 different "MacDonald" Kilts, and not one would duplicate. Pick the one you like best, or have closes family affiliation with, and get a Tank for formal affairs.

**The Barry** · 8th February 09, 04:41 PM

It's been stated before, but it bears repeating..

If you're going to have more than one kilt in a certain sett, nothing is more appropriate than your family tartan.

And...

For a tank (8 yard, 16oz, etc), you should (IMHO) go with (one of) your family tartan. Especially considering that you might be wearing it to clan functions. If you're a MacDonald, and you're at a MacDonald clan event, why would you wear a Black Watch? It would end up looking "rental-ish"