Black Tie Combinations

[230Ball]

Gentlemen,

Are buckle brogues and tartan pattern hose too formal for black tie kit? If not, would that dictate a regulation doublet (vice Prince Charlie)?

Cheers

[Steve Ashton]

I guess I am the odd one as I believe that Black Tie is the most formal of kilted events. The equivalent to wearing a Tuxedo. I'm also not one to wear buckle shoes or diced hose. Black Tie to me is simple and elegant.

Perhaps I would wear them to an event that specified "Scottish Dress". A St. Andrews Society Ball perhaps, but I am not a member of the St. Andrews Society.

I do not feel that there is any kilted equivalent to White Tie as I feel that if you are invited to a White Tie event you should wear the required White Tie 'uniform' of cut-away coat and trousers. To me White Tie is "And Tails".

Black Tie and White Tie are to me very special modes of dress. Black Tie is not just putting on a Black bow tie. If the event specifies Black Tie I will wear what does not stand out from the others for whom a tuxedo is Black Tie.

There are just so few events today that require Black Tie. And fewer where the invitation states White Tie and Tails.

Most invitations to these sort of events will also say "or national dress" but as I am not officially representing the country of Scotland I do not feel that it would be proper to wear someone else's National Dress.

Here is my Black Tie outfit. The invitation specified "Black Tie - Full Ribbons and Medals".

[Taskr]

I echo Steve and add that it is possible to be "too formal".

Except for one or two quite special events, my go-to for black tie has been a BBSBA. A cut down, so to speak, from a Prince Charlie yet with matching vest (3 or 5 button) and bow tie absolutely acceptable for where I've been. Plain dark hose and dress shoes highly shone.

Steve, to me, illustrates black tie attire nicely. Incidentally, while I've worn tanker gloves for decades I didn't know Marines did also. Though I don't have that option while kilted - yet.

[230Ball]

Gentlemen,
Many thanks for your responses!
Steve, I couldn't agree with you more and I greatly appreciate you sorting this out for me. I have white tie/tails reserved for those specific event and plan to wear my kilt for black tie only... primarily military-oriented affairs, as I'm retired military. Your kit looks perfect and exactly what I'm looking for!

[Mike S]

I didn't know that you served in the Canadian military Steve. What regiment was is, if you don't mind sharing?

I'm a huge military history devotee and militaria collector, which is why I asked.

[Steve Ashton]

I served in the US Marine Corps back during Viet Nam and then switched over to the US Army and served until Desert Storm.
I flew CH-53's in the USMC and then OH-58's, Cobra's and Apache's for the Army.

No, the US Military does not have Kilts as part of their uniform except for Pipe Bands. The kilt I am wearing is civilian wear in the Victoria, City of Gardens Tartan. I was invited to be keynote speaker at this civilian event hosted by the 78th Fraser Highlanders hence the miniatures as per the invitation which stated "Black Tie - Full Ribbons and Medals".

[230Ball]

Thanks, Steve, for your service to our nation! I recognized your miniatures and rating, but of course, could not discern your branch of service. I'm also retired military, which is why I'm obsessing over such attention-to-detail, which I know you understand. Although we may be the one guy at a formal event in Highland attire and everyone else being totally clueless, we still don't want to run the risk of being "that guy"!

[Mike S]

Yes indeed, many thanks for your service Steve. I didn't know that you originally hailed from the U.S. either. You are one of those rare birds who served in multiple branches. Especially unusual for someone who started their service in the USMC.

[PatrickHughes123]

I guess I am the odd one as I believe that Black Tie is the most formal of kilted events. The equivalent to wearing a Tuxedo. I'm also not one to wear buckle shoes or diced hose. Black Tie to me is simple and elegant.

Perhaps I would wear them to an event that specified "Scottish Dress". A St. Andrews Society Ball perhaps, but I am not a member of the St. Andrews Society.

I do not feel that there is any kilted equivalent to White Tie as I feel that if you are invited to a White Tie event you should wear the required White Tie 'uniform' of cut-away coat and trousers. To me White Tie is "And Tails".

Black Tie and White Tie are to me very special modes of dress. Black Tie is not just putting on a Black bow tie. If the event specifies Black Tie I will wear what does not stand out from the others for whom a tuxedo is Black Tie.

There are just so few events today that require Black Tie. And fewer where the invitation states White Tie and Tails.

Most invitations to these sort of events will also say "or national dress" but as I am not officially representing the country of Scotland I do not feel that it would be proper to wear someone else's National Dress.

Here is my Black Tie outfit. The invitation specified "Black Tie - Full Ribbons and Medals".

Steve, can I ask if you don't mind, why were you wearing a hunting sporran to this formal event?

A hunting sporran to this formal event is too informal. You should have worn a full-dress sporran. In sporran formality, a hunting sporran is between a day sporran and a semi-dress sporran, now I do not know which specific events you would wear a hunting sporran to as I have no personal experience with one but I know it shouldn't have been worn here. To very formal events, the full-dress sporran should be worn. I don't think even a semi-dress sporran would have been acceptable for this event.

[Profane James]

I would, personally, consider that a formal sporran, and not a 'hunting' sporran.