A Question that has been asked for years...

[SouperScot]

Hey guys/gals, I'm new to the forum, but have been reading for several hours now before registering. I keep seeing this same question pop up time and time again with varying answers. My situation is similar, but not the same as others that have been asked in reference to wearing kilts, fly plaids, broochs etc.

I have a formal event coming up (a carnival banquet) and I was interested in wearing something other than the boring old black tux (this event is a formal black tie event). I was talking to my wife and she would prefer I not go all out with the kilt considering the fact that this event will have some of the gaudiest looking costumes ever seen. She's afraid it will only serve to make the full highland dress look like a costume and I agree something less might be more appropriate. If this were a wedding it would be a good fit, but you'd have to see the costumes to understand that full highland dress would seem very costumish (not a real word I know).

I had first thought that wearing a fly plaid with a tux might be an option but in my hours of reading here, I have not seen one person that agreed with it. I have seen suggestions of wearing a tartan waistcoat with bow tie, which is a good option, but would any of you also agree that the clan brooch could be worn with this setup as well?

Since full highland dress simply will not work, what suggestions would you have? Again I thought the fly plaid would work, but the consensus seems to be a firm 'no', so maybe the brooch, waistcoat and bow tie? Thought? Thanks!

[Holcombe Thomas]

I've a friend who wears a fly plaid with tails, most recently to a Burns dinner. It seems to work for him.

Cheers,

Holcombe

[Joshua]

this event is a formal black tie event

this event will have some of the gaudiest looking costumes ever seen.

"One of these things is not like the other..."

Black Tux isn't really all that boring IMO... but if you insist, wear some bright argyle socks so people can see the highland connection when you are dancing. Just adding a fly plaid to your tuxedo would be fine, but ultimately depends on the stringency of the event you are going to...

I personally wouldn't do it.

[Blubbi]

A PC full Highland dress does really looks like a costume when the others wearing tuxedo. A colourful tartan emphasize this look. In such situations I prefere an black argyle Jacket with waistcoat, kilt in weatherd colours, black kilt hoses with black flashes and a black sporran. This style is not so preeminet and is more accepted than a full dress with plaid. Ok this is germany. I don´t know how it worked in other countries.

[davidg]

The real problem as I see it is that whatever you wear that is "different" will also be, in your words, "costumish"

Fly plaids are not really a good idea at all, with anything, unless it's with a kilt and doublet at a very formal affair. A tartan waistcoat would look decidedly odd with a Tux I think. Maybe a tartan cummerbund but even that might look strange

Why not simply wear the tux and save your tartan statement for the time when you can wear full highland dress?

[Chas]

Hi Souper,

We don't know where you are in the world and it does make a difference.

A three button waistcoat in tartan is a good alternative to a tartan cummerbund. But be aware that a tartan waistcoat/cummerbund and matching tartan bow tie would be seen very rarely in the UK. There are exceptions. Regiments, Associations and Societies might very well have their own "livery", but it is only worn at that organisation's events, unless you are representing that organisation at a different event.

So if you wear a cummerbund/waistcoat and bowtie in the MacSomething tartan, people would assume that you are there in an official position and not just as a member.

If you are not wearing a fly plaid, why would you want to wear a brooch? That would be distinctly ODD.

Regards

Chas

[McMurdo]

Well let me ask, do you want to be one of the gents in a gaudy costume? If so by all means wear the fly plaid with the kilt. If however you aspire to look your best and wear something appropriate then I would suggest wearing the full Black Tie Highland outfit. Why not take a look at the 1 Kilt 10 looks thread, that was done a while ago. I think you will agree the black tie outfits pictured are not costumes, they would fit in any Black Tie event.

[SouperScot]

Well let me ask, do you want to be one of the gents in a gaudy costume? If so by all means wear the fly plaid with the kilt. If however you aspire to look your best and wear something appropriate then I would suggest wearing the full Black Tie Highland outfit. Why not take a look at the 1 Kilt 10 looks thread, that was done a while ago. I think you will agree the black tie outfits pictured are not costumes, they would fit in any Black Tie event.

Thanks for the replies so far and thanks Chas for suggesting that I mention location. This is a Mardi Gras event in New Orleans and while I don't consider the highland dress to be costumish, it's the perception that will make it appear that way considering what others will be wearing. The women at these events wear the costumes that reflect their floats (barbarians, aliens, nurses, etc.) and the men wear full tuxedos including vests and bow ties. Tails are optional. This is why I thought the vest/bow tie combo might not be such a bad trade off and still be a way to represent my clan. I appreciate all of the thought so far.

[SouperScot]

Well let me ask, do you want to be one of the gents in a gaudy costume? If so by all means wear the fly plaid with the kilt. If however you aspire to look your best and wear something appropriate then I would suggest wearing the full Black Tie Highland outfit. Why not take a look at the 1 Kilt 10 looks thread, that was done a while ago. I think you will agree the black tie outfits pictured are not costumes, they would fit in any Black Tie event.

Thanks for the link, I will check this thread out.

[Calico]

Personally, I do not believe Highland attire of any kind is appropriate for Mardi Gras (a French party).

I might go so far as to say such an attempt would be "tacky".... um, wait a minute, that is the main driving force of Mardi Gras these days, isn't it?

Nevermind!