Okay, I have seen threads on this topic in the past and there is another/similar but different kilt advice thread that I had interjected upon and decided to take it to my own thread.

I am going to a formal/black tie/after 5 event, a Christmas Party at the Embarcadero Ferry Building in San Francisco in a few weeks. My tux (yes, I have a tux) does not fit. It has not fit me in over 10 years. I had it from when I was in the Army and I have come to the realization that it will never fit again.

So, I figured I'd kill 2 birds with 1 stone. I also have to prepare a bit for the upcoming NorCal Burns Supper in Pacifica in January.

I have ordered a black 1-button Eaton Jacket from Uniformal Wearhouse. I also ordered a wing-collar 1/4" pleat tux shirt and a few satin box ties. I have two tank-type kilts that cost me between $400 and over $500. One is several years old in modern McDonald tartan (nice Christmas colors!) and the other is the newly adopted and registered Blue Knights Law Enforcement Club tartan (which is suspiciously similar, but not exactly the same as the IPA tartan). It is a lighter/dress type tartan in light and dark blue shades with narrow black and gold stripes within. I haven't decided which I will wear yet. I do have matching flashes for the BK tartan, not the McD.

I have a seal skin/fur semi-dress sporran and no suitable sgian dubh. I also have some nice black wingtips and black Doc Martens, but alas, no traditional dress ghillie brogues.

I'm thinking I should spring for the brogues and a nice dress sporran as well as a nice/fancy sgian. In the meantime, I have not decided if I will wear a hat and if so, what type. Also, I am a bit confused what color hose to wear. I have some nice natural tan colored ones as well as some dark navy (bordering on deep purple) kilt hose. Should I get black or white ones for the tux outfit?

Any input would be appreciated, particularly from anyone that has already put together a very formal outfit for a black tie affair.

Oh, I have also ordered the military mini-medals that are authorized for civilian attire. Nothing major, just the usual ones you earn in 6.5 years of honorable Army service.