Ties and kilts

[MacLowlife]

I will not attempt to weigh in on the original question- it will look perfect to some and perfectly awful to others, with very little in the way of logic to explain why.

I think one can become accustomed to almost anything, but I think it is generally dangerous to wear anything that feels wrong or uncomfortable.


But I am interested by the comments which mention the Caledonian Ball. I gather Highland Dress is acceptable in nearly any form, but for Saxon dress, one should wear either a black tuxedo or a black tailcoat. Is that it? No tartan DJ with black trousers? What about a black tuxedo jacket and Tartan trousers? What about a tartan waistcoat or cummerbund with a tuxedo? Is there some level of (in)formality of the kilt that would also be wrong to the point of being asked not to enter?

[JSFMACLJR]

But I am interested by the comments which mention the Caledonian Ball. I gather Highland Dress is acceptable in nearly any form, but for Saxon dress, one should wear either a black tuxedo or a black tailcoat. Is that it? No tartan DJ with black trousers? What about a black tuxedo jacket and Tartan trousers? What about a tartan waistcoat or cummerbund with a tuxedo? Is there some level of (in)formality of the kilt that would also be wrong to the point of being asked not to enter?

One may NOT wear a tuxedo ( dinner jacket ) to the Royal Caledonian Ball. If you are not wearing Highland evening dress, then a gentleman MUST be in a black tail coat viz "white tie." One may wear a hunting tail coat, and of course serving officers may wear mess dress.

Gentlemen wearing Highland dress must be in evening kit: doublets of broadcloth, or tartan, or velvet. One can wear jabots, white bow ties, or black bow ties. Some doublets might not need to be worn with any neckwear, which is okay too.

Here are the current dress rules for the ball:
Dress


Part of the particular appeal of the Ball is that everyone attending is wearing traditional formal evening dress. The dress requirements are stated below in summary and in detail.

Please note that those not correctly dressed will be refused entry.

If you are unsure about any aspect of the dress code, please contact the Ball Secretary.

In summary



Ladies


Full length dress



Gentleman


Highland evening dress, or

Evening tails with white tie, or

Mess kit

No dinner jackets


In detail



Ladies - essential


Floor length evening dress, or

Mess dress (for those entitled to wear it) with full length skirt



Ladies – optional (but encouraged)


Tiaras

Clan tartan sashes

Orders and Decorations



Gentlemen - essential


Highland evening dress comprising kilt and sporran, evening jacket of black broadcloth or coloured velvet, white evening shirt and black bow tie or lace jabot, or

Evening dress, comprising black evening tail coat, white shirt with wing collar, white bow tie and white waistcoat, or

Mess dress, worn according to regulations, with, preferably, where permitted, any more formal variation such as stiff shirt, wing collar and black bow tie



Gentlemen – optional


Orders and Decorations


For the set reels gentleman taking part must wear highland evening dress or mess kit, tail coats only if part of mess dress, and ladies must wear clan sashes.

[SlackerDrummer]

Here are the current dress rules for the ball:
Dress


Part of the particular appeal of the Ball is that everyone attending is wearing traditional formal evening dress. The dress requirements are stated below in summary and in detail.

Please note that those not correctly dressed will be refused entry.

If you are unsure about any aspect of the dress code, please contact the Ball Secretary.

In summary



Ladies


Full length dress



Gentleman


Highland evening dress, or

Evening tails with white tie, or

Mess kit

No dinner jackets


In detail



Ladies - essential


Floor length evening dress, or

Mess dress (for those entitled to wear it) with full length skirt



Ladies – optional (but encouraged)


Tiaras

Clan tartan sashes

Orders and Decorations



Gentlemen - essential


Highland evening dress comprising kilt and sporran, evening jacket of black broadcloth or coloured velvet, white evening shirt and black bow tie or lace jabot, or

Evening dress, comprising black evening tail coat, white shirt with wing collar, white bow tie and white waistcoat, or

Mess dress, worn according to regulations, with, preferably, where permitted, any more formal variation such as stiff shirt, wing collar and black bow tie



Gentlemen – optional


Orders and Decorations


For the set reels gentleman taking part must wear highland evening dress or mess kit, tail coats only if part of mess dress, and ladies must wear clan sashes.

This would tend to corroborate the idea that the jabot is the only white tie equivalent in highland dress (though I have seen white bow tie and waistcoat illustrated with a regulation doublet) and that a black bow tie with highland attire can be substituted for white tie and tails (the converse of the dress code here).

[JSFMACLJR]

This would tend to corroborate the idea that the jabot is the only white tie equivalent in highland dress (though I have seen white bow tie and waistcoat illustrated with a regulation doublet) and that a black bow tie with highland attire can be substituted for white tie and tails (the converse of the dress code here).

Gentlemen from Perthshire frequently wear white ties, at least on their home turf.