Hey guys/gals, I'm new to the forum, but have been reading for several hours now before registering. I keep seeing this same question pop up time and time again with varying answers. My situation is similar, but not the same as others that have been asked in reference to wearing kilts, fly plaids, broochs etc.

I have a formal event coming up (a carnival banquet) and I was interested in wearing something other than the boring old black tux (this event is a formal black tie event). I was talking to my wife and she would prefer I not go all out with the kilt considering the fact that this event will have some of the gaudiest looking costumes ever seen. She's afraid it will only serve to make the full highland dress look like a costume and I agree something less might be more appropriate. If this were a wedding it would be a good fit, but you'd have to see the costumes to understand that full highland dress would seem very costumish (not a real word I know).

I had first thought that wearing a fly plaid with a tux might be an option but in my hours of reading here, I have not seen one person that agreed with it. I have seen suggestions of wearing a tartan waistcoat with bow tie, which is a good option, but would any of you also agree that the clan brooch could be worn with this setup as well?

Since full highland dress simply will not work, what suggestions would you have? Again I thought the fly plaid would work, but the consensus seems to be a firm 'no', so maybe the brooch, waistcoat and bow tie? Thought? Thanks!