Dressing formally kilted, noob

[SemperFyffe]

BLACK TIE:

White dress shirt* and black bow tie (preferably the kind you tie yourself)
Tartan kilt
Tartan, Argyle, Diced, or sold dark colour hose (socks)
Black, low cut shoes (oxfords or ghillies), polished to a very high shine
Black dress jacket (Argyll, coatee, or doublet) with silver buttons
Hope that helps!

Scott
MoR

Why are silver buttons important? Is it a historical thing? Personal preference? I have been wondering why all the jackets have silver buttons.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Why are silver buttons important? Is it a historical thing? Personal preference? I have been wondering why all the jackets have silver buttons.

Day wear attire makes use of leather, horn, or plastic buttons. Formal day wear attire makes use of black cloth, jett, or silver buttons, while formal evening attire requires silver buttons. Generally speaking brass buttons are used on military uniforms; the uniforms of civilian pipe bands quite often use silver, as opposed to brass, buttons.

The wide spread use of silver buttons with formal civilian dress was, and is, due to the regulations stipulating the attire to be worn when attending a leveé, or a formal dinner in the presence of the Sovereign or a member of the royal family (this would include formal dinners hosted by the Lord Lieutenant of the County, or where the Lord Lieutenant was present in an official capacity).

The conventions of Highland attire generally date from mid-to late Victorian times (1860-1901) as Highland attire began to more closely follow the patterns of ordinary civilian dress. By the 1920s gentleman's Highland dress had become virtually the same as ordinary dress, although the cut of the jacket and waistcoat was obviously different to accommodate the rise of the kilt.

[Tony]

Studs. You should never be able to see a shirt button.

Thanks Llama.

[SemperFyffe]

Thank-you MacMillan! I thought there would be a good explaination. I have another question for you. I have had my old Marine Corps dress blue jacket converted for wear as a formal jacket with my kilt. It originally had gold buttons which suit the jacket really well and being cheap like I am, I can't see spending good money on silver buttons to replace perfectly good gold ones, but I feel as though I stick out like a sore thumb... Is it considered poor form to wear gold buttons versus the silver?

[The Wizard of BC]

The Gold buttons would work perfectly if you are wearing The USMC Dress Blue Tartan.





Semper Fi.

[TheOfficialBren]

I think that gold buttons worn with that tartan would look smashing!

[SemperFyffe]

That is a beautiful kilt! Where does one find the dress blue tartan? I have never seen it. The only one I am familiar with is the horrid green "official" USMC tartan which I just can't bring myself to like. I think I have my next kilt picked out! Thanks!

[Downunder Kilt]

That is a beautiful kilt! Where does one find the dress blue tartan? I have never seen it. The only one I am familiar with is the horrid green "official" USMC tartan which I just can't bring myself to like. I think I have my next kilt picked out! Thanks!

For a start the Leatherneck tartan is not an "official" USMC tartan, it has adopted by those who serve or have served in the USMC. As to where you can get the new blue one, Steve the owner of this forum and Freedom Kilts designed, had the tartan woven and made the initial kilt. I suggest you contact him for any details and/or orders

[The Wizard of BC]

Neither the Leatherneck nor the Dress Blue Tartans are officially adopted by the USMC. The Corps does not have a kilt as a part of the uniform nor in its history. An exception is the Reserve Pipe Band who wear a solid color kilt.

Both the Leatherneck and the Dress Blue Tartans were designed to honor the Corps and those who have or are serving.

I have the remainder of the first run of the Dress Blue Tartan fabric here in my shop.
I can make you a kilt or send you just the fabric.

I am simply an email, phone or Skype call away.

[Tony]

I decided my day sporran was far too day-ish, and so a L&M dress badger should be being held up by US Customs any minute now. Fingers crossed it makes it in time!