LG's Levee

[Glen]

Some photos of the assembled rogues attending the Lieutenant Governor's New Year Levee at the Government House of Alberta. I was the only one kilted, unfortunately; however, I'm wearing the Alberta provincial tartan.

[OC Richard]

I'm wearing the Alberta provincial tartan.

And plenty of it!

Tartan waistcoats and hose are things I'd love to see worn more often.

[Jock Scot]

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Tartan waistcoats and hose are things I'd love to see worn more often.

I am afraid that I am going to have to respectfully disagree.

[DCampbell16B]

I am afraid that I am going to have to respectfully disagree.

Perhaps it was someone else, but I thought you mentioned somewhere that tartan waistcoats were more of a West Coast thing. Well, he is way, way West of the Coast!

It might open up a good discussion though. There have been some of OCR's historical pictures that show this (a Macdonald family picture comes to mind, which could be very West Coast).

I kind of like them myself, properly done. Disclaimer: I am not Scottish, though I do have West Coast ancestors, so consider the source. Maybe it's a DNA thing.

[Jock Scot]

Tartan waistcoats are indeed seen more often in the West Coast of Scotland---------at formal evening events where formal attire is required by all. Rarely, thank goodness, are tartan waistcoats and tartan hose worn for non formal events in Scotland, but I am sorry to say some in Scotland do wear them on occasion and sometimes, I am afraid, they are worn for everyday non formal events.

I can understand an event with the great and the good of a State administration of Canada does require effort with one's attire and of course, it may well be an honour to attend such an event, but I don't see any formal attire in the pictures------black tie? White tie? Formal suits?-----on show.

Now, if one wants to wear the kilt, then fair enough. If one wants to wear the kilt to meet the great and the good of ones country, fair enough.

But please lets get one's kilt attire appropriate to the occasion. The kilt attire on show is without doubt an impressive sight but.............

[MacKenzie]

I had to lookup Levee. It's a reception.

It appears that the servicemen are in No. 1 and/or No. 1A Ceremonial Dress. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unifor...n_Armed_Forces


https://www.corpscpc.noaa.gov/perser...t_uniforms.pdf

(Yes, I realize the link is re: the US military. Nonetheless it can serve as a guide.)


Being that this is the Lt. Governors reception I would say it is a "social function of an official nature".


It appears that those not in uniform - other than Glen - are underdressed for the occasion. Which is par for the course these days.

[Troglodyte]

Tartan waistcoats are indeed seen more often in the West Coast of Scotland---------at formal evening events where formal attire is required by all. Rarely, thank goodness, are tartan waistcoats and tartan hose worn for non formal events in Scotland, but I am sorry to say some in Scotland do wear them on occasion and sometimes, I am afraid, they are worn for everyday non formal events.

Why 'Thank goodness..' Jock..?

I find I have to cop a plee of guilty as charged, M' Lud, as I am an habitual offender. I've got 'form'...

Though, in my defence, one of the offending articles is made up from an ancient piece of unused tartan inherited from grandparents, and that gets worn with a tweed suit, but the others are for kilt use.

These others are cut for evening-wear, and only get shown to the world after the sun has packed it in for the day, but there is one that does regular day-duty - but not 'everyday non formal' so perhaps you'll let me off with a caution!

[Glen]

I am afraid that I am going to have to respectfully disagree.

No I'm not the best model; however, there is nothing like a healthy discussion...

[Jock Scot]

No I'm not the best model; however, there is nothing like a healthy discussion...

I am all for a healthy and friendly discussion.

Now, if we use the picture of the then Prince Charles pictured above in this thread with his tartan waistcoat as a prime example of what some Scots wear on rare occasion with day attire. So there is no argument there. But, BUT, there is a huge difference between that and a Gilbertian tartan outfit that some , particularly outwith Scotland’s shores, who insist on wearing these theatrical outfits , that do absolutely no favours to general kilt attire at all. Particularly when used as an example of “smart kilt attire”, when the less is more, is thought to be more in keeping. “Overegging the cake “
is generally not the thought to be necessary,wise or effective by knowledgeable observers .

[Liam]

I am all for a healthy and friendly discussion.

Now, if we use the picture of the then Prince Charles pictured above in this thread with his tartan waistcoat as a prime example of what some Scots wear on rare occasion with day attire. So there is no argument there. But, BUT, there is a huge difference between that and a Gilbertian tartan outfit that some , particularly outwith Scotland’s shores, who insist on wearing these theatrical outfits , that do absolutely no favours to general kilt attire at all. Particularly when used as an example of “smart kilt attire”, when the less is more, is thought to be more in keeping. “Overegging the cake “
is generally not the thought to be necessary,wise or effective by knowledgeable observers .

Then let's keep it healthy and leave our “Gilbertian” comments out of the picture. Sounds a bit like “Albertan” by the way.