wanting to do prom, help!

[cwr89]

So, I want to go to prom, its my senior year, I've go the OK for the kilt. I want to look nice, like PC nice. BUT I don't want to rape the piggy bank before I have to go to college...

heres what I have:
SWK Economy Irish National in very good condition
Irish National Flashes
White kilt hose
White tux shirt or white collared shirt
hand made Ebony sgain dubh


the stuff that isn't so formal:
Irish National Neck tie
brown day sporran
2.5 inch wide brown leather belt
carmel kilt hose
english driving cap in black and white
Argylle kilt jacket in black
Drill Master brand marching band shoes with no tounge and extra long laces.

now, I can pull a make-shift semi-formal out if I work at it.

heres what I am definantly going to buy:
Irish National fly plaid from SWK
Irish brooch of some sort from SWK
big Black leather kilt belt and buckle from SWK
black leather sporran belt from SWK
semi-formal or formal sporran (most likely from frugal corner because they are like $45)
waist coat (vest) that is black, and probably from uniformal.com

now, what are you suggestions for making me really formal. I would use my Argylle jacket but its tux or tux equivalent. I am not really good at modifications to jackets so making my own isn't too much of a posability I might be able to get one altered by a tailor but I don't know when my prom is and I don't know if there is enough time to get it all ready.

now, I don't want to have to spend too much, I am already looking at roughly $175. so please help!

thanks!
~Casey

[Tattoo Bradley]

The Argyll jacket, when paired with a bowtie is certainly appropriate for formal wear. I wore an Argyll w/ waistcoat on our "formal night" during our cruise to the bahamas. I looked better than any tux there. I'd say look into getting a waistcoat for your argyll jacket, a bowtie and you're set there. If you're wearing a waistcoat, it's general thought that a belt is not necessary. I don't wear one when I have my waistcoat on. In my opinion, it's far too cluttered when one IS worn with the waistcoat. Pair that with the white hose and white tux shirt, don't wear the caramel ones.

I wouldn't even consider any sort of head gear, or the sgain dubh. Since this is a school event, a knife in your sock has got to be a big no-no. I also wouldn't wear a fly plaid if I were paid. They really aren't necessary to be formal. In fact, unless you're a groom in a wedding (even then I'm not so sure... I didn't consider one for my own wedding) they look awful gaudy. Try to find at least a black sporran, brown will look far out of place. Even a nice plain black sporran could be smashing. Look at the econo sporrans over at Celtic Croft. Panache has always been stoked with his.

These are all my opinions, which is what you requested. Take them for what you paid for them!

[Moosedog]

Yes, I would go with white shirt, Argyll jacket, black tie, tartan flashes. No weapons at a school event. No belt nor fly plaid needed.

That should leave you needing just a black sporran and a vest (waistcoat) to match your jacket. I'm not familiar with the sporran TB is referring to but consider your vendor carefully, I have heard good things about Celtic Croft's service.

Moosedog

[Highland Logan]

At the very least... remember, no head wear while in black tie.. because you are supposed to be looking your best, you don't wear "hats" as they "muss" your hair.

Frank

[Coemgen]

I agree that you'll look very smart in the white shirt, black tie, and argyle jacket w/ waistcoat. I went to my senior prom in a kilt and PC get-up (quite formal, as my high school has lots of wealthy families who do this stuff with each other a lot). Here's the photo:



Obviously over the top for a standard prom, but at mine (held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, no less!) it was fairly standard in terms of formality.

[billmcc]

I agree with everything Bradley wrote. Furthermore, I think you should upgrade your kilt. You can rent a formal kilt and sporran from the Scottish Tartans Museum for only $50, or rent a full PC outfit for $100.
See here: http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/rent.html

[robthehiker]

I'd strongly consider renting a complete outfit for $100. You'll get everything you need and the quality will be quite good.

Enjoy the prom! I'm sure you'll be the best dressed gent there!

[cwr89]

So, I can just get a waist coat wear that along with my argylle?

here is everything on except the white hose and neck tie and sgain dubh.
(and yes I don't plan on the sgain at prom I was just goi9ng through all I had)



And appologies for the terrible kilted no-no of color missmatching


but thats the jacket, now, a 5 or 6 button waist coat?

~Casey

[robthehiker]

~Casey

Actually that looks great. Wear a black sporran (and frankly I think a day sporran is more than sufficient) and replace the brown belt with a black belt or a vest and you're good to go. A kilt pin is completely optional IMHO.

Looking sharp!

[thescot]

So, I can just get a waist coat wear that along with my argylle?

And appologies for the terrible kilted no-no of color missmatching


but thats the jacket, now, a 5 or 6 button waist coat?

~Casey

The waistcoat is not required if you get a black belt and dressy sporran. And since college looms, go for inexpensive.

If you put a black belt and dressy sporran on that last photo, you'll loof very good. . . . And save a lot of money.

Remember, black tie is very simple and very plain. Other than the shiny buttons, buckle, and sporran, go very plain. And dark hose wouldn't hurt, either.