I picked up a second-hand P.C. What else do I need to buy to make the outfit work?

[Father Bill]

You do know, Kenneth, that when you have your kit all put together, we want pictures of it, with you in it. Lots of pix!

[KennethSime]

You do know, Kenneth, that when you have your kit all put together, we want pictures of it, with you in it. Lots of pix!

Hah! Pictures? Isn't that what Facebook is for? :-)

I think I'm almost there for smart daywear, but the P.C. kit will take some time, I think - better to buy quality that'll last than to throw something together quickly.

[Jock Scot]

Hah! Pictures? Isn't that what Facebook is for? :-)

.............., but the P.C. kit will take some time, I think - better to buy quality that'll last than to throw something together quickly.

Very wise.

[Macman]

Hah! Pictures? Isn't that what Facebook is for? :-)

I think I'm almost there for smart daywear, but the P.C. kit will take some time, I think - better to buy quality that'll last than to throw something together quickly.

I am in total agreement with you!

[Father Bill]

Hah! Pictures? Isn't that what Facebook is for? :-)

I think I'm almost there for smart daywear, but the P.C. kit will take some time, I think - better to buy quality that'll last than to throw something together quickly.

Fakebook? XMarks always has said, "No pictures? Then it didn't happen!"

[kingandrew]

To me, the key items you will need with the Prince Charlie are:
1. formal shirt. Wing or turn-down collar are equally acceptable. Mine is from Jos. A. Bank. Uniform shops, which sell stuff for people who wear work uniforms, are a good affordable source of tux shirts and studs in very standard designs, although you may find something more stylish if you search your local vintage and thrift shops.
2. Black bow tie. The kind you tie yourself. These are easy to find anywhere that formal wear is sold. Tying a bow tie is simple--it is actually just like tying your shoes, except you do it around your neck. A few minute's practice and you will have the skill for life. I agree that you should avoid straight ties and especially abhor the "rouche" tie.
3. Nice black dress shoes. Your cap-toes should be fine. I have a pair of patent leather oxfords I inherited from my father's tuxedo outfit which work fine. Someday I will find buckle shoes, but I haven't yet.
4. Evening sporran. Mine is bunny fur in white, from Stillwater kilts. It was a bargain and has served me well. Someday I would like to get a quality horsehair sporran, but have not gotten around to it yet. Evening sporrans seem to be readily available on eBay. Some will suggest you should use a chain for evening wear, but I think a sporran strap is fine.
5. Some nice kilt hose. I prefer argyle or diced socks for formal wear, but most observers will be fine with solid colors. Please avoid white, as it looks like a rental.

Please avoid wearing a belt (especially one with a giant buckle) under your vest, as it will definitely hang below and mess up your look.

If you have one, a pocket watch looks really great with in your vest.

All that said, you will look so much smarter than all the men in tuxedos at most black tie events, that no one will notice if you do make a "mistake" in any detail of your outfit. At a Burns Supper, or other Highland event, your companions will notice, but will hopefully be polite about any lapses.

Wear it with pride and enjoy.

Andrew

[KennethSime]

All that said, you will look so much smarter than all the men in tuxedos at most black tie events, that no one will notice if you do make a "mistake" in any detail of your outfit. At a Burns Supper, or other Highland event, your companions will notice, but will hopefully be polite about any lapses.

Wear it with pride and enjoy.

Andrew

Roger on all accounts, thanks very much for your advice Andrew.

[Casaluz]

To me, the key items you will need with the Prince Charlie are:
1. formal shirt. Wing or turn-down collar are equally acceptable. Mine is from Jos. A. Bank. Uniform shops, which sell stuff for people who wear work uniforms, are a good affordable source of tux shirts and studs in very standard designs, although you may find something more stylish if you search your local vintage and thrift shops.
2. Black bow tie. The kind you tie yourself. These are easy to find anywhere that formal wear is sold. Tying a bow tie is simple--it is actually just like tying your shoes, except you do it around your neck. A few minute's practice and you will have the skill for life. I agree that you should avoid straight ties and especially abhor the "rouche" tie.
3. Nice black dress shoes. Your cap-toes should be fine. I have a pair of patent leather oxfords I inherited from my father's tuxedo outfit which work fine. Someday I will find buckle shoes, but I haven't yet.
4. Evening sporran. Mine is bunny fur in white, from Stillwater kilts. It was a bargain and has served me well. Someday I would like to get a quality horsehair sporran, but have not gotten around to it yet. Evening sporrans seem to be readily available on eBay. Some will suggest you should use a chain for evening wear, but I think a sporran strap is fine.
5. Some nice kilt hose. I prefer argyle or diced socks for formal wear, but most observers will be fine with solid colors. Please avoid white, as it looks like a rental.

Please avoid wearing a belt (especially one with a giant buckle) under your vest, as it will definitely hang below and mess up your look.

If you have one, a pocket watch looks really great with in your vest.

All that said, you will look so much smarter than all the men in tuxedos at most black tie events, that no one will notice if you do make a "mistake" in any detail of your outfit. At a Burns Supper, or other Highland event, your companions will notice, but will hopefully be polite about any lapses.

Wear it with pride and enjoy.

Andrew

I see discussion here and there about sporran chain vs sporran strap. Any comments why would you choose one vs the other?

[Tomo]

I see discussion here and there about sporran chain vs sporran strap. Any comments why would you choose one vs the other?

For me it's down to personal choice and the level of dress/event I am attending.

Typically for daywear it would be a leather sporran and strap, for evening wear fur and chains.

However, I don't see these as hard and fast rules - either for myself or anyone else. I have been know to mix and match, although each of my sporrans has it's own strap so it's more about the choice of sporran than anything else - and the only one I tend to swap is my black day sporran which I sometimes wear with a strap and sometimes a chain.

Some argue that chains, damage, abrade or pluck their kilts. In over 20 years of wearing kilts (and for a long time I only had one sporran and a chain) I have never had a problem with this and it simply isn't a consider for me - although I ditched the "dog-leash" straps a few years ago in favour of handmade chainmail (purely for aesthetic reasons).

[Jock Scot]

I don't think that there are any hard a fast rules on the sporran belt/chain issue. I think most regular kilt wearers in this part of the world choose a leather sporran belt for general kilt attire and save their chain sporran belt for events of importance, day or evening.