I recently attended an 'anniversary gala' event celebrating a venerable environmental legal foundation. The event was held in the law courts building in their restaurant. Thinking that this must be a dress up occasion I went kilted in my tank and Balmoral. My escort wore a beautiful semi-formal black dress, and I think we cut a pretty dashing path. Imagine our surprise upon our arrival to see that half the men were dressed in chinos and polo shirts and the other half in day suits without ties. Most of the ladies were better dressed, but no one was close to how we were attired. Not the first time I have been caught out by the so called 'west coast informal' attitude. To my great surprise and delight, many, many people came over to complement us, and especially my kilt. Another fellow even said he was going to wear a kilt as well but at the last minute changed his mind and now wished he hadn't. I have been caught out before, but even if a tad over-dressed always get compliments, so leave with a bit of a smile.