Argyle jacket with white tie?

[kingandrew]

I assumed the lad in the Caledonian Ball invitation picture had been dancing, which explained his mild disarray. I agree that the shirt showing under the vest is not a great look, but I figured that wasn't how he looked when he arrived.

Regarding his hair: when I had hair, I had the same kind of unruly curly locks. Sadly, all a brush or comb could do was to torture the scalp, since the hair was so curly and thick that it would not give way before grooming utensils. The best I could do in that department was to use an Afro pick, which would tease it all out into a cloudy red halo around my head. My solution once I started working was to keep it trimmed short enough that it looked professional/respectable. My guess is that this young man probably faces similar issues and may still be young enough that he thinks it looks ruggedly adventurous, rather than ill-groomed.

Of course, age has solved that problem for me and now I have a curly red (and silver) beard pouring off the lower end of my face.

Regarding other styles of national dress: I remember wearing my kilt to the Metropolitan Opera in New York. At intermission time, I went to get a drink and saw a Chinese gentleman standing at the bar wearing a lovely full-length traditional tan silk gown with mandarin collar and frog closures. He looked great and I gave him a thumbs up.

When people wear national dress, they are generally dressing up. Were I guarding the door at a formal event, I would certainly admit anyone who was so attired, regardless of the nation their clothing represented. However, the Caledonian Ball is clearly intended to be Scottish, so I can see why they limit dress to Highland or white tie and tails for those lacking a kilt.

Andrew

[KiltedSergeant]

No,no,NO! The black Barathea silver buttoned argyll(BBSBA) is fine for minor black tie events, but is physically not designed to be worn with a jabot, therefore quite unsuitable to be worn at white tie events.

I'll take that as a "No".