Dressing formally kilted, noob

**piperdbh** · 27th January 13, 11:24 AM

If your opera house is anything like the ones I've been in, the only time the light will be bright enough for anyone to tell the difference between your charcoal jacket and a black one is for the few minutes you spend in the lobby before and after the show, and then it'll probably only be noticed if you're standing beside someone wearing black. If 'twere I, I'd keep saving the $ for the kilt, wear the charcoal Argyll, and enjoy the opera. Which one is it, by the way?

*I just reread that you're going to a ball, not to the opera. My suggestion stands, regardless.*

**MacMillans son** · 27th January 13, 02:56 PM

Sorry to be contrary, but there is nothing Formal about a tweed argyll jacket, regardless of color. If the invitation says "Formal Attire" I would go with MoR's initial response. Some peoples loose interpretation, our current financial situation, or what we think might work, does not change the definition, nor the expectations.

Buy the new jacket, at a budget price if need be, and go to the event without ever worrying that you are not up to the expressed and expected standard of dress.

Regards,
Brooke

PS. Here is a link to where I purchased mine. http://stores.ebay.com/CARSE-OF-GOWR...p2047675.l2563
It is 17oz, very well made and the service was perfect. Check his ratings!

**Downunder Kilt** · 27th January 13, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan's son

Sorry to be contrary, but there is nothing Formal about a tweed argyll jacket, regardless of color. If the invitation says "Formal Attire" I would go with MoR's initial response. Some peoples loose interpretation, our current financial situation, or what we think might work, does not change the definition, nor the expectations.

Buy the new jacket, at a budget price if need be, and go to the event without ever worrying that you are not up to the expressed and expected standard of dress.

Regards,
Brooke

Like the thought process here Brooke

**unixken** · 27th January 13, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan's son

Sorry to be contrary, but there is nothing Formal about a tweed argyll jacket, regardless of color. If the invitation says "Formal Attire" I would go with MoR's initial response. Some peoples loose interpretation, our current financial situation, or what we think might work, does not change the definition, nor the expectations.

Buy the new jacket, at a budget price if need be, and go to the event without ever worrying that you are not up to the expressed and expected standard of dress.

Regards,
Brooke

PS. Here is a link to where I purchased mine. http://stores.ebay.com/CARSE-OF-GOWR...p2047675.l2563
It is 17oz, very well made and the service was perfect. Check his ratings!

I too, concur. Formal is still formal.
And I too, have made several purchases (some PV kilts and other items) from the eBay store linked to. Every item good quality, good prices, and fast delivery.

**Huginn and Muninn** · 27th January 13, 03:44 PM

Worse comes to worse, rent a black barathea Argyle or PC, splurge on a good bow tie and hose. Save more money for whatever!

**TheOfficialBren** · 27th January 13, 06:40 PM

Maybe I'm missing something here but I've always been told that when attending the OPERA it is WHITE tie. When attending the SYMPHONY it is BLACK tie.

**Tony** · 27th January 13, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

Maybe I'm missing something here but I've always been told that when attending the OPERA it is WHITE tie. When attending the SYMPHONY it is BLACK tie.

I've been to the Opera many times.
You'd be hard pressed to find more than a dozen suits, let alone White Tie.

Thanks for the advice all. I really think the grey tweed wont cut it.

**TheOfficialBren** · 27th January 13, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by Tony

I've been to the Opera many times.
You'd be hard pressed to find more than a dozen suits, let alone White Tie.

Thanks for the advice all. I really think the grey tweed wont cut it.

OIC. Then I believe that convention says to dress appropriate to the group. If a more dressed-down dress code is expected then go for it. Have fun. I like Opera and the other Serious music in addition to Rock, Metal, and Celtic.

:-)

**Jack Daw** · 28th January 13, 06:11 AM

Opening night for the opera season is taken to be the most formal evening, which only translates into black-tie semi-formal in Houston. The rest of the season, it's pretty much suit or even sports jacket. So far this season, I have only seen one man wear a white-tie outfit (which included a white business shirt with normal cuffs).

**cck** · 28th January 13, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

Maybe I'm missing something here but I've always been told that when attending the OPERA it is WHITE tie. When attending the SYMPHONY it is BLACK tie.

I think you would have to go back about 70 years for that to be the case. My wife and I attend several operas each year, numerous black tie opening night dinners, and an occasional opera ball. I can't recall ever seeing anyone in white tie and tails. There is, however, the occasional person who does not follow the "black tie" on the invitation. If someone is in the audience in formal attire, one assumes they have been to a prior event. T-shirts and shorts are a more common sight. Pretty much the same holds for the symphony and the ballet and their associated events. Kilts are unique, but always draw compliments.