Impressive Surroundings

[MACKAY]

Do you think the other gentlemen there will be wearing tuxedos? If they'll be wearing suits, then the Argyll is probably more appropriate. It's certainly formal. And a good investment if you can see yourself wearing one in the future. If you want to invest in a Prince Charlie, that would be great, too, if you think you will get more use out of it. The Argyll is generally more useful, though.

Okay, from past events 99% of the attendees will be in a Tux or Gown. So I am leaning towards renting (hiring) a Prince Charlie as I really don't think that I would get much use out of it at home as I generally don't attend that many occasions that would require such a formal jacket.

However you raised an interesting question. Would it still be appropriate to wear an Argyll amongst all the tuxedos? Also, are dark kilt hose considered formal?

I would get much more use out of an Argyll at home and would be inclined to purchase one prior to my trip if it would be appropriate to wear to a black tie (not white tie) function. I have to say I also like the idea of buckles on the shoes rather than gillies as my Grandfather would always wear a pair on special occasions with his kit.

Thanks again to all for the comments and suggestions. I really appreciate them!

Brian Mackay

[Planopiper]

You probably need to find a more authoritive source. If others are wearing tuxes and gowns, then I'd wear the Prince Charlie (as opposed to a gown). Renting should be easy enough. They're not cheap to buy. But my understanding is that the Argyll is evening wear.

Argyll hose are the best choice for a formal event. Castellated tops w/ ribbon garters would be tops. Trying to find some to match your kilt may be difficult, though. You might be able to find someone who knits who could make them. Colored hose would be a good second choice. I like to wear hose that match one of the major colors in the kilt, and flashes that contrast strongly w/ the hose but match another color in the kilt. If you don't have the color you want in flashes, they're easy to make w/ some elastic and a bit of ribbon. If I'm wearing an Argyll jacket then I like to match my shirt w/ the flashes if I can. I like colors. I only wear a white shirt and white hose if I'm in the band uniform or playing for a funeral. I always wear a white tux shirt w/ the Prince Charlie.

I know that you can get buckles to tie onto your wingtips to make them look authentic. I have a pair of Sketchers w/ a strap and buckle that I sometimes wear w/ my kit as an updated version of the buckle shoe. I wouldn't necessarily recommend them for this though.

Check w/ rental shops and highland outfitters and look around on the internet or talk to anyone you can find w/ some authority. Maybe someone at Edinborough Castle would be able to give you some advice. They may have a web site. It's worth checking.

[Doc Hudson]

If you are on a tight budget, perhaps this would work:



http://search.stores.ebay.com/search...asel=169835737

Someone with more sartorial expertise than I would need to comment on suitability for a formal occassion, but IIRC in another thread here, they were said to be suitable for formal ocassions. And the price is certainly right.

[macwilkin]

Given the venue of this soiree, I would suggest renting a charlie jacket. The Prince Charlie is the equivalent of a tail coat, whilst the Black Argyll is more like a standard tuxedo jacket. Go all out and dress "to the nines" for this event, how many formal occasions does one get to attend at Edinburgh Castle? :mrgreen:

Planopiper's obversations about hose are spot-on, and if you are interested in a good pair of Tartan(Argyll) hose, I can recommend a company that made mine -- they are not cheap, however, and you do need to provide them with a swatch of tartan so they can match the hose to your kilt. I am very pleased with the pair I ordered.

Cheers,

Todd

[MACKAY]

Given the venue of this soiree, I would suggest renting a charlie jacket........Planopiper's obversations about hose are spot-on, and if you are interested in a good pair of Tartan(Argyll) hose, I can recommend a company that made mine -- they are not cheap, however, and you do need to provide them with a swatch of tartan so they can match the hose to your kilt. I am very pleased with the pair I ordered.

Todd, thanks again for your insight and thoughtful commentary. I have to agree that this is (for me) a once in a lifetime opportunity and am looking forward to a great time. Based on everyone’s input, I am going to go with a PC rental unless the gods smile on me and can justify a PC purchase to my wife :-) (If Ham or one of our Scotland based members can recommend a reputable kilt hire company in the city I would be most appreciative).

Todd- please do provide any info you may have on the hose. I like the idea of 'castle tops' with ribbons.

Thanks again,
Brian Mackay

[macwilkin]

Brian:

I really recommend The Tartan Thistle in Washington state:

http://www.tartanthistle.com/

http://www.tartanthistle.com/Argyll_...tan_socks.html

Go with the full 100% wool hose over the polyester -- yes, it's more expensive, but they are worth every penny! The folks who own the Tartan Thistle, Angus and Maureen Lee, are great with customers and very easy to work with! My hose are great!

Cullin Craft in California (say that three times fast!) offers the castellated hose, but the price is a wee high, even for me! :mrgreen:

http://www.cuillinn.com/kilts.html#hose

Cheers,

Todd

[Hamish]

Todd, thanks again for your insight and thoughtful commentary. I have to agree that this is (for me) a once in a lifetime opportunity and am looking forward to a great time. Based on everyone’s input, I am going to go with a PC rental unless the gods smile on me and can justify a PC purchase to my wife :-) (If Ham or one of our Scotland based members can recommend a reputable kilt hire company in the city I would be most appreciative).

Brian, with regard to the Kilt Hire company, Geoffrey (Tailor) Ltd., on The Royal Mile, Edinburgh will take some beating. You can call them TOLL FREE from the USA on 1-800-566-1467 (but remember to allow for the time difference!!), or E-mail them at: enquiries@geoffreykilts.co.uk

I am afraid that opinions of what constitutes 'Formal' appear to differ between the USA and the UK!! The thought of tartan or diced hose, whether with plain or crenellated tops at a black tie event, fills me with fear! Over here, these would be worn nowadays only at white tie events, and with a fly plaid. I have assumed, perhaps incorrectly, that this event is to be a black tie function!

These colourful hose are also expensive to buy and many Hire companies do not hire out hose (or shirts) but will sell them to you, given time to have them manufactured. The crenellated style is seldom worn nowadays, in fact I can think of only one Highland Dress Outfitter in Scotland from whom they might be ordered - they would not be available from stock, nor would most tartan hose. Geoffrey (Tailor)'s current price list shows tartan and diced hose at prices from £108 to £238 per pair, according to size and quality, and a delivery time of three months from ordering!! These prices are pretty much standard, as is the delivery time, whichever supplier you use. You have been warned!

Also, with regard to shirts. Here, no matter whether you opt for the Prince Charlie or a black barathea Argyll (or Crail jacket), only white shirts should be worn. Coloured shirts are not worn formally and are considered to be in poor taste, except possibly with a toning velvet Dinner Jacket (or Tux), and never with the kilt!

I hope this has helped rather than confused you!