Burns Night

[mbhandy]

Ours in Salt Lake (This Sat) request Sunday Best.

MrBill

[Taliesin]

My wife and I were given tickets to a local Burns Night for this January 19th. Attire is listed as "semi-formal". In standard U.S. Garb, that would mean a suit, or at least jacket and tie. My question is regarding kilted wear for the evening.

I have a casual Bear Kilt, cut at the "jeans waist", not the true waist, so I don't think an Argyll Jacket is going to look good. (Couldn't get one at this late date anyway, but there's nothing I can do about that.) Renting a kilt is not economically feasible, either.

Will my suit jacket and a collared shirt with a tie that matches the colors in my kilt work? If not, I'm going to end up wearing a suit, I think. I'd much rather wear my kilt, but I don't want to look completely out of place or anything. I also don't want to violate some dress code.

Thoughts? And thank you.

[macwilkin]

My wife and I were given tickets to a local Burns Night for this January 19th. Attire is listed as "semi-formal". In standard U.S. Garb, that would mean a suit, or at least jacket and tie. My question is regarding kilted wear for the evening.

I have a casual Bear Kilt, cut at the "jeans waist", not the true waist, so I don't think an Argyll Jacket is going to look good. (Couldn't get one at this late date anyway, but there's nothing I can do about that.) Renting a kilt is not economically feasible, either.

Will my suit jacket and a collared shirt with a tie that matches the colors in my kilt work? If not, I'm going to end up wearing a suit, I think. I'd much rather wear my kilt, but I don't want to look completely out of place or anything. I also don't want to violate some dress code.

Thoughts? And thank you.

I would wear the suit. A standard suit coat (not a kilt jacket) simply does not good, INMHO, with a kilt.
A number of gentlemen attend our Burns Supper each year in suits, and no one thinks any less of them.

Regards,

Todd

[pipesndrumsnun]

Will my suit jacket and a collared shirt with a tie that matches the colors in my kilt work? If not, I'm going to end up wearing a suit, I think. I'd much rather wear my kilt, but I don't want to look completely out of place or anything. I also don't want to violate some dress code. Thoughts? And thank you.

OR...if you or your wife are handy with needle and thread, you have plenty of time to turn a regular suit jacket into a kilt jacket. You'll find LOTS of helps and how-tos right here at X-Marks...many folks have done this, with great results!

[Taliesin]

I may read these how-to's, but I don't think that's going to happen for this outing. I can't alter my existing suit jacket, and we're definitely not handy with needle and thread! lol

The other thing I'm concerned about is how the argyll-style jacket will look with a low-waistband casual kilt? Anyone wore this?

[Panache]

I may read these how-to's, but I don't think that's going to happen for this outing. I can't alter my existing suit jacket, and we're definitely not handy with needle and thread! lol

The other thing I'm concerned about is how the argyll-style jacket will look with a low-waistband casual kilt? Anyone wore this?

Taiesin,

Argyll and other kilt jackets are cut short to emphasis the pleats of the kilt. I'm trying to picture low casual kilt with such a jacket and truly think that it won't work. Either the kilt will look to low or the jacket cut too high. If a 24" length would work for you I might take a look at Stillwater kilts and see what tartans they have in your size (a heavyweight would be best). Failing that or renting a traditional kilt I would say that Todd gave some great advice. Wear the suit! It is better to wear a suit well than a kilted outfit poorly. Especially at a Burns Supper where you are going to be standing next to a lot of well put together kilt outfits.

By the by, Burns never wore a kilt, he was a lowlander! An interest and appreciation for Burns' poetry and song is far more important than a kilt for a Burns Nigh Supper (liking scotch helps too )

Cheers

Jamie

[macwilkin]

Failing that or renting a traditional kilt I would say that Todd gave some great advice. Wear the suit! It is better to wear a suit well than a kilted outfit poorly. Especially at a Burns Supper where you are going to be standing next to a lot of well put together kilt outfits.

By the by, Burns never wore a kilt, he was a lowlander! An interest and appreciation for Burns' poetry and song is far more important than a kilt for a Burns Nigh Supper (liking scotch helps too)

Well said, Jamie.

Take a look at these photos from a Burns Club in Scotland:

http://www.robertburns.org.uk/burnssupper_2007.htm

Quite a mixture of suits, kilts and trews, and these are serious Burnsians.

Cheers,

Todd