New Years Black Tie on the Semi Cheap

[S Mitchell]

This year (last year?) my wife and I dressed up for a New Year's Eve party.

I'd previously purchased my 8yrd kilt from USA Kilts around Thanksgiving, and I had a pair of solid, claret hose and my Air Force issue Oxfords. And I'd also bought the hunting sporran and the belt buckle from USA Kilts.

But I didn't have a jacket or a tie or a formal shirt.

So, I crawled ebay.

I'd read of a couple of members here wearing mess jackets and I found one in my size, an Air Force officer's mess jacket, for 40 dollars and I snatched it up. I had to have the silver cuff braids removed and I had some vintage cloth buttons from etsy put on in place of the USAF pewter buttons. The tailor was supposed to remove the shoulder board loops too, but she didn't. No one at the party even noticed them. The jacket is Midnight blue. I decided not to go with a vest since I was already pushing the formality level of the party I'd be attending.

I bought a black, silk self-tie bow tie on Amazon for 15 dollars. Then I went on google and learned to tie it. It's not as tricky as you might think.

The tuxedo shirt I got for 99 cents on ebay! It's a Michelson's of London; the collar is a bit too big, but hey, 99 cents. Next year I'll get a better fitting shirt.

The studs and cufflinks are carbon fiber and were a gift from my wife. I love them.

Here's the whole outfit:



Here's my wife and I before heading out:



As I said in another post, we were definitely overdressed, but we knew the hosts and knew they would enjoy it and be happy we made the effort. It was a great evening.