Robbie Burns night

[Farmer Jones]

A while ago I suggested to my lodge that we had a Robbie Burns night this coming January. It was going to be an excuse to wear the kilt and have a few laughs. I was sent out to find the haggis, and in the meantime our master mentioned it to the Legion, and what I had intended as a small thing for 20 guys has morphed into an open community formal affair sponsored by the Legion and my lodge. So here is the problem. The master announced on Friday it was to be formal, kilts and tuxes. My kilt is a 5 yard Canadian Maple Leaf, and is considered to be a casual kilt, more suitable to wearing down the pub. So bearing in mind that I would have to wear a tuxedo jacket (I do not have any specific kilt jackets), does this mean that I am relegated to wearing my tuxedo instead, or is it conceivable to dress it up and get away with it?

[Father Bill]

Hi. You're probably pushing your luck a bit; the dinner jacket will be too long and the buttons will not be highland style.

Is the kilt wool? If so there's no problem with 5yd/ 8yd, but if it's PV it will not likely show to advantage. You're here in Ontario but I have no clue where. If you're in Toronto or many urban parts of the south there will be those who will know, otherwise it may not be as much of an eyebrow-raiser. On the flip side of the coin, if you're in an urban area we can probably point you to a quick rental, or... what size do you wear?

Edit: Ah! There it is, Lanark! You're not too far from Hamilton, are you? I've had good luck with
Scottish Imports of Hamilton
275 Queenston Rd
Hamilton, Ont.
L8K 1G9
905-545-4587
info@scottishimports.ca


Talk to Marlene there. Her kiltmaker Lucy is a wizard (interestingly, Vietnamese, I believe - very Scottish, that!) and can re-size a rental jacket while you wait.

In Toronto there are also a couple if you just do a search for the appropriate key words.

Hope that helps.

[MacRobert's Reply]

Wearing the kilt with a dinner jacket will not work well. Kilt jackets and doublets are cut differently from jackets made to be worn with trousers. They are generally shorter and cut away at the front to accommodate the sporran. For a formal black-tie event you will need one of the formal kilt jackets or doublets with silver buttons if you intend to be kilted. Otherwise go with the dinner jacket and trousers, perhaps with a tartan waistcoat.

You will find many examples of kilted formal evening wear on X Marks.

Enjoy the Burns' Supper!

[Farmer Jones]

Father Bill, it is 5yd wool. Yes I realize the tux jacket is all wrong, but I am sort of plucking at straws to find a way to dress as I originally intended. I am sadly no where near any urban centers. I am about 300KM east and north of Toronto, which makes find a rental very difficult. I am actually hoping that someone more knowledgeable about this region may have a suggestion where I might rent one. There are people in this board who know exactly where I am located and previously put me in touch with a local haggis maker who has now already been organized to supply haggis for 150. My jacket size for a conventional blazer is 44R, but I do not know how that translates to the shorter kilt jacket.

[creagdhubh]

Wearing the kilt with a dinner jacket will not work well. Kilt jackets and doublets are cut differently from jackets made to be worn with trousers. They are generally shorter and cut away at the front to accommodate the sporran. For a formal black-tie event you will need one of the formal kilt jackets or doublets with silver buttons if you intend to be kilted. Otherwise go with the dinner jacket and trousers, perhaps with a tartan waistcoat.

You will find many examples of kilted formal evening wear on X Marks.

Enjoy the Burns' Supper!

Well said indeed!

[JohntheBiker]

Here's a connection to arguably one of the largest kilt hire places in the province. They do ship and they have a large selection.

http://www.williamglen.ca/wm/online_rent.htm

[cck]

"My jacket size for a conventional blazer is 44R, but I do not know how that translates to the shorter kilt jacket."

Your kilt jacket size should be about the same. The main difference is in the length of the jacket.

[Father Bill]

Father Bill, it is 5yd wool. Yes I realize the tux jacket is all wrong, but I am sort of plucking at straws to find a way to dress as I originally intended. I am sadly no where near any urban centers. I am about 300KM east and north of Toronto, which makes find a rental very difficult. I am actually hoping that someone more knowledgeable about this region may have a suggestion where I might rent one. There are people in this board who know exactly where I am located and previously put me in touch with a local haggis maker who has now already been organized to supply haggis for 150. My jacket size for a conventional blazer is 44R, but I do not know how that translates to the shorter kilt jacket.

Sorry - I had edited an addition to my post, that jammed on its way to the forum.

A 5 yard wool kilt is quite acceptable for a formal / semi-formal occasion, so the kilt's okay, it's the jacket that's the problem. The kilt will just have fewer pleats.

If you're both north and east of Toronto, you may be able to get to Barrie where there's Burnett & Struth for a rental. Click the link at the top banner of this page for contact info and give them a buzz.

Wishing you success in all of this, and keep us up-to-date on your progress!

Bill+

[guardsman]

Buy a P.C. off ebay and only an expert (if such a thing) could tell difference in 5 or 8yard kilt ! Good luck . Am looking forward to our Burns Supper , cant wait , again Masonic , a great night .

[Nathan]

Since it was your suggestion Farmer Jones, I think you have a bit of a responsibility to show em how it's done. With a little planning a rental is available. If you really don't want to do that, and if funds are an issue do as guardsman suggested and purchase an inexpensive Pakistani PC from ebay. After you wear it once you can put it back up on ebay and recoup most of your investment and start saving for one that is higher quality. If you filter your search results by used, you might even find a vintage Prince Charlie Coatee and waistcoat in your size and price range that is high quality.

If you can afford it, this one is very high quality indeed and was tailored by a respected company. You might need to hem the sleeves, but perhaps not.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vintage-Princ...2f462b0&_uhb=1

You should also search on ebay for a Black Barathea Argyll as this is a more versatile jacket and can serve for black tie as well. Purchasing a used one may be the same price or close to the same price as renting, but you have to find the right size and make sure they have positive reviews for shipping promptly.

If you decide to go with a rental, I'm pretty sure www.kiltscanada.com can arrange delivery. When I was in their shop in Toronto, they were on the phone arranging for a wedding rental in Nunavut.

Happy hunting!