Need advice for first time semi formal kilt wearing

**JohntheBiker** · 15th March 16, 06:34 AM

A couple of versions of "semi-formal" using an argyll jacket. I find the argyll handy when a PC would be too much. Given that I don't own a "semi-formal" sporran, my default is my seal skin sporran. Lots of options:

**gbmaz** · 18th March 16, 06:04 PM

As promised here are some photos of what I came up with based off of everyone's advice.

**Tarheel** · 18th March 16, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by gbmaz

As promised here are some photos of what I came up with based off of everyone's advice.

The glasses (providing incognito) are the best accent to avoid paparazzi. Well done sir.

**DyerStraits** · 18th March 16, 08:14 PM

I'd say you nailed it. Go Get 'Em.

**Downunder Kilt** · 18th March 16, 09:18 PM

I congratulate you on your turnout and would imagine that you were in the top 1 or 2 percent of being dressed up for the event. You are however not in highland semi formal attire. As per my previous post, there is no highland semi formal attire.
Your jacket is formal day attire, the equivalent of morning dress,( think Ascot or being invested by HM Queen Elizabeth II) your sporran is formal evening attire.
Change your tie to a black bow tie and you are at the lower end of black tie formal.

Personally, I'd like to see your kilt to come up a inch or more. Show some knee my good man.

**gbmaz** · 19th March 16, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

I congratulate you on your turnout and would imagine that you were in the top 1 or 2 percent of being dressed up for the event. You are however not in highland semi formal attire. As per my previous post, there is no highland semi formal attire.
Your jacket is formal day attire, the equivalent of morning dress,( think Ascot or being invested by HM Queen Elizabeth II) your sporran is formal evening attire.
Change your tie to a black bow tie and you are at the lower end of black tie formal.

Personally, I'd like to see your kilt to come up a inch or more. Show some knee my good man.

I will attend the event tonight and suspect you will be correct. Perhaps in the future I will put together a complete black tie formal outfit. My employer holds this fund raiser every year and my wife has been on a kick of buying lots of fancy dresses and liking to get dressed up. I think we will have to score some opera tickets for this summer and attend in style. The Santa Fe Opera is an open air venue, so a wool coat and kilt would be perfect for a summer evening at 7000ft.

I am assuming that going with the black bow tie would mean dropping the waist coat and wearing a belt?

There is actually ample knee, the angle of the photos just does not show it. After my wife showed me the pictures I said someone would bring it up.

**gbmaz** · 19th March 16, 07:16 AM

I will try to get some pictures at the event tonight to share. Our CEO's husband always goes kilted and I believe another gentleman does as well. I am certain there will be lots of pictures since my direct supervisor is doing photography for the event. And she went to graduate school in Scotland and loves kilts.

**Downunder Kilt** · 19th March 16, 09:53 AM

Hi George, I would go with the same waistcoat and not worry about the belt, just change out the tie. Cheers.

**TheForrester** · 14th May 16, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by gbmaz

....... Perhaps in the future I will put together a complete black tie formal outfit. .........

Gentlemen, please, black tie is not formal. Black tie is evening wear, or (sometimes called) semi-formal. White tie is formal. In Saxon terms, a tuxedo is "semi-formal" or evening wear. "White tie and tails" is formal.

A Prince Charlie with black tie is evening wear. For formal, you should have a regulation doublet with white tie.... or higher.

And, please also, a wing tip collar is for white tie only. You should not look like you have a ribbon noose around your neck. If black tie, please use turn-down collar so that the black ribbon does not show.

(and, yes, I know that some of this might be controversial, especially in the U.S. where formality is a lost art. So be it.)

**OC Richard** · 15th May 16, 05:30 AM

Very smart gbmaz!

My only suggestions would be to show a bit more knee- have the tops of the hose a bit lower, and the bottom of the kilt a bit higher (say, the top of the kneecap or a hair lower, where most people wear it nowadays) and when wearing a waistcoat to not button the jacket.

These aren't "rules" but just conventions one usually sees, so that one's "eye" gets used to them.