Opinions Please

**Erisianmonkey** · 19th February 08, 10:26 PM

I'll say that I agree with everyone that you should go with a formal dress sporran. I'll also agree that you should get colored hose. I think that black, or having looked at your tartan in a tartan finder, a blue that matches the blue stripes in your tartan. I don't know if you're wearing one or not, but I'll agree that the outfit also screams for a sgian dubh, or at least a sgian don't. I like the fly plaid and ribbons on the shoulders. I personally think that you could lose the belt even without a waistcoat. And the sporran definitely needs to come upwards.

Having said all that, I still think you could go exactly as you are and still look pretty sharp. That's a nice outfit.

**James MacMillan** · 20th February 08, 01:05 AM

You are going to get a bunch of opinions on this, so here's mine. I am being super picky here. Depending on the event that you go to, (meaning very few kilties in attendance) you look fine as you are. But.....

White, to me, is the highest of formal. with that in mind you really need a gorgeous longer haired fur sporran. With a nice silver or pewter cantle.

I would change the gold buttons to silver colored. It's not generally a good idea to mix silver and gold together.

I would put the corner of the fly plaid not the edge through the brooch.

If you are going to wear the belt and buckle, you need one that is less shiney, more silver looking. Never, but never wear a cumberbum with a kilt!!!

I personally, would love to see a vest or waist coat in the same tartan.

Try some different color of hose, till you like the look. The cream color looks out of place, and sorta clashes with the stark white of the jacket.

Dressy sgian dubh for sure - red stone.

I like the pogey ropes, but if you are going to wear them, I would lose the fly plaid and wear your miniature medals. I have never seen a pogey rope with civilian attire, so why not carry the military look further.

Oh and if you can afford them, Ghillies.

Now having said all that, and assuming you are wearing the best you have, go for it. If you want to slowly improve your overall look, try some of the suggestions.

All-in-all, you look pretty dang good.

**Amoskeag** · 20th February 08, 03:50 AM

I read the entire write-up before seeing the picture and when I looked my first thought was, "That looks superb!". I combine all my Masonic "Traps" with my kilt all the time; probably breaks every rule in the book but it looks good. It looks like that's what you have, go and be proud!
Bob

**macwilkin** · 20th February 08, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by McMathTx

and my Knights of Columbus mess jacket.

The Knights of Columbus have a mess uniform?

I didn't know that! You learn something new everyday. I knew about the 4th degree uniforms already.

Are the shoulder boards on the jacket rank emblems?

T.

**McMathTX** · 20th February 08, 06:38 AM

First off, thanks for everyone's help. Your comments weren't as harsh as I feared, and I really needed and appreciated a learned eye.

I'll definitely get a formal sporran. I knew in my heart that I should get one, but needed some encouragement to jump off the cliff! I'll also raise it up a bit. The strap is on the last hole now, so I'll punch a new one.

I agree that the shoulder braid and the plaid are a little much. I have 3 options. Go without either, wear only the braid, or wear only the plaid. I think that I'll gauge the function to see which of the 3 options I'll choose.

I'm wearing a sgian dubh, but for some reason it worked around my calf a little so you couldn't see it. Stag horn, hmmmm....

The hose suggestion was great. I've just got to decide among a deep red, forest green or navy blue. How about all three?

I just don't go formal enough to justify buckle shoes, much less ghillie brogues. Is it too much of a faux pas to buy ghillies laces and add them to wingtips?

I'll have to go look at the jacket and see if the buttons are easily changed, but I have to have the gold for my KofC functions. Otherwise, I'm thinking of going sans belt to avoid the clash.

Cajunscot, as you know from living in Louisiana for a time, it gets hot in the summer down here! I've posted honor guard at funerals in July/August in my cape, and thought I was suffocating. To that end, our Assembly has adopted a white mess jacket for use from Easter to Labor Day. The shoulder boards have the 4th Degree emblem on them. The color of the shoulder braid signifies rank within the 4th Degree.

Ruanaidh, there'll definitely be no plumed chapeau! I've been thinking about getting a balmoral however.

Riverkilt, I'll ask where we get our jackets from, but I do remember that they sell to anyone - even pagans!

Thanks again for everyone's help. It's really going to help me fine tune my kit. Like I said earlier, I have a sense of style that is right for me, but I don't won't to look like a dork either!

Dean

**McGurk** · 20th February 08, 07:37 AM

My goodness, you look absolutly stunning. The only suggestion I would make is go for white hose. Some people might dislike that, as its generaly only worn by pipebands, but I'm a beleaver in looking good rather then looking traditional.

I;ve never seen a white jacket worn with a kilt like that before, but I really really like it.