Newbie needs advice - kilts and cruising

[Wareyin]

One bit of advice for your sporran is to remember that you will be going through customs, and that may be a hassle as some furs are prohibited. When I wore my kilt on my cruise, I deliberately chose a rabbit furred sporran because I wouldn't be too upset if I lost it to customs. I was on a Carnival Cruise, and the vast majority of "formal wear" worn for the formal dinner was polo shirts and slacks. There were even some wearing shorts to the formal dinner. From what I hear, other cruise lines may be more strict, but keep in mind that you are likely to be the only one kilted, and even in a black argyle will likely be the most formally dressed there.

That said, the lighting is dim, no one will be looking at your shoes, and very, very few would likely be critical of your sporran whatever you choose. Enjoy the chance to strut your stuff a little with dressing up, and your wife will look better than you in her outfit no matter what color she chooses, as wives always do!

[kingandrew]

In the "mood lighting" at dinner, the difference between navy and black may not be very apparent.

But your wife's dress will look just as fine next to a black jacket on you.

I'm not sure what "flair" your shoes have, but unless they are sandals or jeweled platforms, they are unlikely to garner much attention. Since kilt-wearers often sport formal shoes with buckles, "mary-jane" straps, or even the long-strapped ghillie brogues, I doubt any shoes normally worn with a tuxedo will look too flamboyant.

Have fun.

Andrew

[Sir William]

We like to cruise and we also like to dress up on the "formal" and "semi-formal" nights, though these terms are mostly no longer used by the cruiselines, and it's becoming less and less common for passengers to dress up anyway.

My wife and I have a agreement that I can wear a kilt when we are visiting a Commonwealth country outside the Caribbean, otherwise I wear a tux (she doesn't like the attention a kilt attracts). I usually wear a PC or black Argyll with waistcoat and black hose on the "formal" night, and a with a belt and colored hose on the "semi-formal" night. I wear a dress (fur, silver cantle) sporran both nights. On a recent family reunion cruise to Bermuda, my cousins wore Elliot tartan ties with their business suits and sashes with their LBD. We received a lot of favorable comments from passengers and crew alike.

As previously stated, no skean dhu. It's totally unnecessary and the ship doesn't allow knives anyway - and even a fake will attract the attention of the security officers.

Since suits are far more common than tuxes on these occasions, daywear is equally appropriate - you'll still stand out regardless.

Tartan: Wear whatever tartan you like, or have. Just don't mix tartans (ie, Black Watch and Royal Stewart)

No fly plaids, unless you're going for the equivalent of white tie.

Lots of good comments above about hose, kilt pins, etc.

Standby for photograph requests. The ladies love men in kilts.

[davedove]

(she doesn't like the attention a kilt attracts).

One cannot wear a kilt and not expect attention!

[Sir William]

One cannot wear a kilt and not expect attention!

Totally agree - which is why my wife doesn't like me wear a kilt on most of our cruises! But if you are the only one wearing a kilt, you'll get lots of requests for photographs. Never happens when I'm in a tux!

On one cruise the Food & Beverage Manager was from Glasgow. He ordered a wee dram for me and for some reason a new dram kept appearing as my glass neared empty.

[davedove]

Totally agree - which is why my wife doesn't like me wear a kilt on most of our cruises! But if you are the only one wearing a kilt, you'll get lots of requests for photographs. Never happens when I'm in a tux!

On one cruise the Food & Beverage Manager was from Glasgow. He ordered a wee dram for me and for some reason a new dram kept appearing as my glass neared empty.

Yeah, I wore mine on a cruise that had a large Japanese contingent. I swear I had my picture taken with every one of the ladies, which was interesting, as they were all wearing kimonos.

That same cruise, a very, very, attractive young lady wanted to know where I was sitting in the dining room, so she could go get her camera for a picture. After getting the picture at my table and she left, my tablemate, another single guy, simply said "I have to get me a kilt!"

Never happens when I wear a suit or tux!

[BuckeyeMark]

Again, I'm finding this group to be so helpful!

Not going till next summer but I'm sure anxious to go NOW and try out the kilt thing!

I think I need to do more research on the sporan. Not sure about fur (and don't need customs issues) but want to get it right.

My next question is gonna be "budget but not cheap." Since I don't have much (read: any) occasion to wear a formal kilt outfit I'm gonna need to keep this reasonable. Should I start another thread on that or just keep running here?

[Sir William]

Again, I'm finding this group to be so helpful!

Not going till next summer but I'm sure anxious to go NOW and try out the kilt thing!

I think I need to do more research on the sporan. Not sure about fur (and don't need customs issues) but want to get it right.

My next question is gonna be "budget but not cheap." Since I don't have much (read: any) occasion to wear a formal kilt outfit I'm gonna need to keep this reasonable. Should I start another thread on that or just keep running here?

Since you're just entering the kilting world, I would recommend starting with the basics: kilt, hose, sporran. Add to that as you are able. If you don't have all you want by the time of the cruise, just wear a shirt and tie, and forego the jacket. You won't be the only one without a jacket. My experience over some 14 cruises is that you'll see a small number in tuxes or perhaps military uniform, a larger number in a suit or sports coat, and an even larger number without a coat - some with just a tie, but more likely a polo shirt or aloha shirt. And, there will be a few in t-shirts. Given your itinerary, you'll probably see a another kilt or two - great way to talk about kilts! No one judges what you feel comfortable wearing those special evenings.

[BuckeyeMark]

Since you're just entering the kilting world, I would recommend starting with the basics: kilt, hose, sporran. Add to that as you are able. If you don't have all you want by the time of the cruise, just wear a shirt and tie, and forego the jacket. You won't be the only one without a jacket. My experience over some 14 cruises is that you'll see a small number in tuxes or perhaps military uniform, a larger number in a suit or sports coat, and an even larger number without a coat - some with just a tie, but more likely a polo shirt or aloha shirt. And, there will be a few in t-shirts. Given your itinerary, you'll probably see a another kilt or two - great way to talk about kilts! No one judges what you feel comfortable wearing those special evenings.

I know what you mean - we've cruised a lot and we see less and less of the real "dressed to the nines" look. Fewer tuxes and even fewer suits.

That said, I'm not doing this halfway. I'm going all in - PC, flashes, the works! I'm even hoping to convince some of the other guys in our group to go for it as well! LET'S DO THIS! #FormalNightIsKiltNight

[BuckeyeMark]

Looking at some internet cruise boards today and there was discussion of formal night - which always brings out the debate. The t-shirt and jeans crowd always wants to eat in the main dining room anyways ... but I digress.

Here is one person's post. IT'S A SIGN!

Forum post.jpg