Attire for ball

[thecompaqguy]

Its been a while since I posted but I was looking for advice, I'm going to a ball on Saturday, I have a navy Stewart kilt, black hose, ghillie brougues, either black or white shirt, black waistcoat and a dark grey kilt jacket. Do you think the combination is okay?

[Jock Scot]

In purely traditional terms, no your proposed outfit would not be suitable. However, these days the definition of a "Ball" does seem to cover a multitude of scenarios.

[davidlpope]

Does the invitation to the ball specify which attire is to be worn?

[thecompaqguy]

In purely traditional terms, no your proposed outfit would not be suitable. However, these days the definition of a "Ball" does seem to cover a multitude of scenarios.

It's probably more of a prom to be honest, quite a few of the guys will be kilted, though I'm not sure if the terminology for a Ball here in the UK is the same...

I was thinking of surprising them with the pinstripe kilt suit, but I thought of something more traditional.

[JohntheBiker]

What would you wear if you didn't go kilted?

If you would wear a dark suit, then your proposed outfit is probably fine. If you would normally wear a tux, then a black bow tie and a dress sporran would help to get you most of the way there.

[Cygnus]

Balls and promenades are typically black-tie (or white-tie) events, though boys attending the latter tend to deviate significantly from tradition in their attire.

If other men attending the event will be wearing tuxedos and bow ties, then the traditional equivalent would be an Argyll jacket, coatee (Prince Charlie), or doublet with silver buttons and worn with a white shirt with either a black bow tie or a lace jabot. If you don't own some of the items required, renting them would be relatively inexpensive (or you can see Alan H's recent thread about formalwear on the cheap).
If the other men will be wearing suits and ties, what you described is probably acceptable.

There is a good deal on this forum about traditional Highland dress for black- and white-tie events. A quick search will undoubtedly provide you with a wealth of information on the subject.