Quote Originally Posted by davidlpope View Post
I think it's the incongruity between the belted plaid and what otherwise would be a "modern-ish" ensemble (black shirt, black hose). The only person that I've seen really pull off the belted plaid for formal wear is Lamar Britt. His ensemble is very historically-inspired and it seems to work for him, although I think it unlikely to be as successful for anyone else.
Again, I find this an odd attitude. The kilts we wear today are hardly more "modern" than the belted-plaid. Both forms of the kilt were worn in the days of knee-breeches and tricorns! Only the stuff worn with them (particularly shirts and coats) have "evolved" since then, but the kilts have fundamentally remained the same. One is not more anachronistic than the other, if you really think about it.
I truly feel an elegantly - and neatly! - worn plaid can work well with "modern" formal dress, and the notion that only one person can successfully pull it off is bizarre, at best....