Quote Originally Posted by Bugbear View Post
I suppose I can relate to that, CMcG, though much of my time and place is related to toiling in dirt and compost.

To me, the Highland attire, particularly the black tie and formal attire, has too much flashiness for my tastes; for example, the silver buttons and cantle that are very nearly required.
Well, I'm sure the dirt and compost don't much care what you wear... even Highland black tie

You're right that traditional, formal, kilt wear does have a lot of bling. If you go to a non-Scot black tie affair though, or one that is "creative black tie," you can probably get away with something else, without being weird.

Maybe something like this, but with a bow tie? Or even a bolo tie? It would be weird at a THCD ball, but fairly acceptable -- perhaps even more so than a trad version -- at a less traditional event.