Formal Attire

[blackbeard]

I'd like to piggy-back (and not hijack) on the recent thread by Jock Scot on theory and practice. It got me to thinking again (there I go again; thinking) about the world of formal wear in general and “youngsters” today. (I'm starting to sound like my father)
I'm sure that a lot of guys in the US, Scotland, England, Canada, Australia, etc. don't have the slightest idea of how to properly wear a tuxedo or set of tails let alone a Prince Charlie or Montrose Doublet.

So here is web site that says it all. Even though my budget does not allow for most formal wear, I'm a bit of a cloths junkie, so I find the entire site a fascinating read.
http://www.blacktieguide.com/Introduction/1_Appeal.htm
There is a lot advise on what to do and what NOT to do and why. Most of the advise on style can carried over to the kilt. There is even an excellent section on how to tie a bow tie.

The Red Carpet hall of shame is quite enlightening. And as of September the author has added a Formal Highland Attire page! It's in the supplemental section.

[BoldHighlander]

So here is web site that says it all. Even though my budget does not allow for most formal wear, I'm a bit of a cloths junkie, so I find the entire site a fascinating read.
http://www.blacktieguide.com/Introduction/1_Appeal.htm

And as of September the author has added a Formal Highland Attire page! It's in the supplemental section.

I seem to recall this site has been mentioned before about a year or two ago, but thanks for the reminder (& bringing to everyone's attention the Formal Highland Attire section!)

[McMurdo]

That is a good site, and it does come up from time to time. For a look at some kilted formal looks I'd suggest our own Style threads formal kilted pictures and the 1 kilt 10 looks thread.

[blackbeard]

X Marks is a treasure chest of style and information.

The reason that Jock Scot's thread triggered my memory of Mr. Marshall's site is his continued suggestion that we should not always be looking to celebrities for style recommendations.

My interest in Mr. Marshall's web site is more his philosophy on style. Why style is important. Remember that style is timeless. Fashion is fleeting. A man can attend a function properly attired and enjoy the party; not spend the entire evening (or day) thinking “Am I wearing the right clothes.”

“However, once a man begins to understand the premise of an outfit being correct rather than simply acceptable, he realizes the significant benefits of this system. Knowing that a formal evening is an inherent test of his sartorial education, a wise man will guarantee success by following the very straightforward rules of proper black tie [insert kilt] rather than blindly trying to guess at what might qualify as an acceptable alternative.

It has been said on this site many times, but bears repeating---You have to know the rules before you can successfully bend them.

While the photos of formal wear on Xmarks are terrific, his section on the proper fit of a jacket (sleeve length, across the shoulders, etc.) goes into detail. This advise also extends to an Argyle or Prince Charlie. Pocket square? Or no pocket square? And my personal pet peeve: Learn to tie a proper bow tie. Leave the clip-on pre-tied tie in the rental shop. Panache has quite a good posting on making a bow tie and Mr Marshall's web site has very good instructions for tying one so there is no excuse.
A lot has been posted on this site about the proper fit on the kilt, and what goes under the kilt, but what about the proper fit of the jacket? To me this is just as important as the kilt.

His suggestion on rentals is invaluable. Rent the PC but buy the shirt, tie, [and hose]. If you rent or purchase a little knowledge on you part will go a long way to being satisfied. Don't rely on the sales person (our fellow Xmarkers being excluded). They often are just trying to make a sale.

His inclusion of the properly outfitted formal kilt being acceptable at any black tie affair is a welcome addition to his site. Kilt wearers should wear their PCs and kilts to any black tie event and be darned proud.

And his section on powder blue tuxedos just makes me laugh.

[BoldHighlander]

And his section on powder blue tuxedos just makes me laugh.

Oh my....!!!! I remember having to wear one of those at a wedding back in the very early 80's!!!

[Bruno]

I remember having to wear tux for my brothers wedding in the 1980's I felt like a cheap waiter. I was best man and he insisted I matched his outfit. Oh the shame. It even had shiny lapels grrrrrr.

[george7]

http://www.blacktieguide.com/Supplemental/Scottish.htm

Don't miss his article on Scottish Attire

[JolyStNicholas]

I have an honest question regarding formal wear! When someone like me self wears a beard, full as mine is, a formal bow tie would not be seen at all, is there any other suggested tie wear? I'm preparing my formal outfit for our Christmas gathering and I want it to be perfect and correct!

[Zardoz]

My 2 cents, I think you should wear the proper tie for the outfit, even if it is not easily seen.

[O'Callaghan]

Well, I'm about the only person I know that actually owns a dinner suit of my own (tuxedo if you are an American). The truth is that this is only because my wife and I once went on a one-week cruise and it never occurred to me that there would be a rental shop onboard the ship! I figured that I would have to rent one for a whole week for the one night when we would be dining at the captain's table. I'm glad I did buy one, though. You feel so smug compared with people wearing rented ones, LOL! Much as I'm sure I would in my own kilt alongside someone else in a rented kilt.

I find very little opportunity to dress formally, so I think if I had such a formal occasion to go to I would wear what I have, which, alas, means I would not wear a kilt. Barring a Burns supper, of course, but I can't imagine being invited to one.