What to wear with a Kilt at a semi-formal occasion

[biblemonkey]

Hi,

I am a new member and I have a 21st Birthday Ceilidh to go to later in the week and I would be really grateful for a couple of tips.

Firstly, I am 19 and my dad has said I can wear his kilt but I don't fancy the responsibility just in case is gets damaged. I am planning on buying a fairly simple and not too expensive kilt tomorrow and I have a sporran, socks, shoes and a belt at home. This kilt would then be used for going to the football and any future casual Ceilidhs but I am getting a proper Kilt with my clan tartan for my 21st. I don't know what to do in terms of a shirt/waistcoat/jacket and this is my real problem. I am thinking I should buy a shirt but I'm not sure what type and if I should wear a tie (probably not). I don't have a jacket or waistcoat that fits me and I was wondering how acceptable it was to wear a simple white shirt with the kilt. The other guys are mostly wearing smart trousers and shirts but I really want to wear a kilt so it's not too formal over all but I want to do it right. Also, if anyone has any strong recommendations of colours/tartans to wear or avoid it would be appreciated.

I hope this post isn't too common and boring but I would be really grateful for any tips or advise.

Thanks,


Rab

A plain shirt would be fine. I usually go with a complimentary solid color shirt as that's just my style.

You'll look great!

Hugh

[Newfoundlander]

Hey there laddie,

This might be too late, but I'll toss it in anyway...

I tend to wear my kilt to nearly all company get togethers that are semi-formal, as well some casual good times out with the by's.

I find that for a semi-foral business party or anytime you want to take it up a notch, a regular solid collared shirt either worn open collar under a light wool sweater, or with a coordinating solid colour, or matching tartan, tie. Roll your dress shirt sleeves up a couple turns to give it a more casual look if you like. And go with dark coloured hose (I use black or green because they work well with my tartan), and dressy shoes (but not formal shiny brogues).

For the "smart casual" look, I almost always go with a nice kit sweater (in Fall and Winter in Canada), dark hose and shoes. In Spring/Summer, I replace the knit sweater with a smart solid colour polo shirt. This would be the kind of thing I'd wear to the pub for a few pints before heading to a hockey game or something.

Now, that's just what I like, of course, which is partly to do with my style. I think the main rule is wear something you like, something that's comfortable, and your comfortable in. If your comfortable and you wear it with confidence it won't matter what it is, you'll pull it off.

All the best! Cheers!

[CMcG]

The birthday ceilidh you are describing sounds more like a smart casual event, rather than semi-formal occasion that would call for a jacket and probably a tie.

I'd say solid colour hose worn up with flashes, button up shirt (tucked in), sweater or waistcoat if the weather is a bit cooler or a belt with a simple buckle or antique finish waistplate (but not both), leather sporran on a strap (not on a chain and no cantle).

I say no belt under a waistcoat or sweater because it tends to make an unsightly bulge and no shiny waistplate or fur with metal cantle sporran because those are intended to be formal wear items. Of course on the other hand, the Tartan Army could care less about matching one's accessories to level of formality... The sporran strap is because a chain tends to make undue wear on one's kilt.

I'll also echo what Phil said and say wear your kilt and hose at heights that will show off your knees. The lasses like that!

Check out this style guide I put together a while ago for examples:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...xamples-68377/

[CMcG]

I'd say take a look around the forum, looking at photos posted by members like CMcG for example or Downunder Kilt would be a good place to look. <snip>

Cheers McMurdo!