Formal Attire w/Kilt

**motorman4life** · 21st November 06, 01:52 PM

Okay, I have seen threads on this topic in the past and there is another/similar but different kilt advice thread that I had interjected upon and decided to take it to my own thread.

I am going to a formal/black tie/after 5 event, a Christmas Party at the Embarcadero Ferry Building in San Francisco in a few weeks. My tux (yes, I have a tux) does not fit. It has not fit me in over 10 years. I had it from when I was in the Army and I have come to the realization that it will never fit again.

So, I figured I'd kill 2 birds with 1 stone. I also have to prepare a bit for the upcoming NorCal Burns Supper in Pacifica in January.

I have ordered a black 1-button Eaton Jacket from Uniformal Wearhouse. I also ordered a wing-collar 1/4" pleat tux shirt and a few satin box ties. I have two tank-type kilts that cost me between $400 and over $500. One is several years old in modern McDonald tartan (nice Christmas colors!) and the other is the newly adopted and registered Blue Knights Law Enforcement Club tartan (which is suspiciously similar, but not exactly the same as the IPA tartan). It is a lighter/dress type tartan in light and dark blue shades with narrow black and gold stripes within. I haven't decided which I will wear yet. I do have matching flashes for the BK tartan, not the McD.

I have a seal skin/fur semi-dress sporran and no suitable sgian dubh. I also have some nice black wingtips and black Doc Martens, but alas, no traditional dress ghillie brogues.

I'm thinking I should spring for the brogues and a nice dress sporran as well as a nice/fancy sgian. In the meantime, I have not decided if I will wear a hat and if so, what type. Also, I am a bit confused what color hose to wear. I have some nice natural tan colored ones as well as some dark navy (bordering on deep purple) kilt hose. Should I get black or white ones for the tux outfit?

Any input would be appreciated, particularly from anyone that has already put together a very formal outfit for a black tie affair.

Oh, I have also ordered the military mini-medals that are authorized for civilian attire. Nothing major, just the usual ones you earn in 6.5 years of honorable Army service.

**Colin** · 21st November 06, 02:22 PM

Skip the hat, they look out of place at an indoor event. It sounds like you ar eon the right track.

**PiobBear** · 21st November 06, 02:29 PM

I wear either Argyll hose in my tartan, or hose complementing my tartan's primary color (green), with flashes to go with my tartan's primary stripe (red). I've got a set of tartan flashes which came with one of my kilts; I've never worn them. I never wear white hose unless playing with my band (part of their uniform, *sigh*).

Your fur sporran should be fine. Mine's a full-face red fox. Horsehair sporrans are generally considered military dress, mostly worn by pipers.

Your black wingtips should be fine. They resemble the MoD brogues issued to regimental pipers in the Canadian and British Army.

If your events are indoors, don't worry about a bonnet unless you're a piper or a member of an honor or color guard. They're considered "under arms", and therefore don't uncover indoors, as a gentleman would be expected to. Outdoors, I'd opt for a balmoral which goes with your kilt hose, without dicing.

You might want to dress up your Eaton jacket with some traditional silver buttons;

, so you're not mistaken for a waiter.

Get a cheap set of black studs, too; they're part of formal dress. Your shirts may also need cufflinks.

If you can afford a fancy skian dubh, ghillies (learn how to lace them; they're not laced up the ankle like girl's sandals), fancy sporran, etc., by all means; knock yourself out. However, if you only go black tie once or twice a year, this should do you.

**GatorUK** · 21st November 06, 08:12 PM

If it's a civilian affair I usually will not wear my medals unless I know that active duty military will be there in dinner dress. For civvie affairs I normally wear the miniature enamel "ribbon" lapel pin that came with my highest award. You will probably have occasion to wear either white or black kilt hose. Get both. See what you think looks best with your formal attire. I mostly wear white because that seems to be what folks are use to seeing, but sometimes I wear blue ones to match the kilt.

**PiobBear** · 21st November 06, 08:40 PM

I think the reason you see so many white kilt hose is (A) that's what kilt rentals provide and

that's what most pipe bands use.

**Bob C** · 21st November 06, 08:45 PM

Colin's right. Forget the hat if you're indoors. Your jacket sounds ok, but it would be better if you took PiobBear's suggestion and added the silver buttons. Your sporran will get you by. A formal one with a metal cantle would be better, but chances are that the non-kilted will not know the difference.

I'd suggest off-white hose with this ensemble. White would be ok, too. Stay away from dark ones. They'll make you look bottom heavy. The tan hose would look very out of place. Your wingtips will be fine. If you like ghillie brogues, though, go ahead and get them. I really like mine.

You can pick up an inexpensive sgian dubh that will look just fine in your sock. Ebay is full of them.

Don't forget flashes in either matching tartan or a color from the kilt.

Be sure to post a picture!

**davedove** · 22nd November 06, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by Colin

Skid the hat, they look out of place at an indoor event. It sounds like you ar eon the right track.

Originally Posted by GatorUK

If it's a civilian affair I usually will not wear my medals unless I know that active duty military will be there in dinner dress. For civvie affairs I normally wear the miniature enamel "ribbon" lapel pin that came with my highest award.

I agree with both of these. The hat is out of place for an indoor event. I wouldn't wear the medals for a civilian event unless there will be a lot of military people there wearing their medals.

**macwilkin** · 22nd November 06, 05:54 AM

Originally Posted by GatorUK

If it's a civilian affair I usually will not wear my medals unless I know that active duty military will be there in dinner dress. For civvie affairs I normally wear the miniature enamel "ribbon" lapel pin that came with my highest award. You will probably have occasion to wear either white or black kilt hose. Get both. See what you think looks best with your formal attire. I mostly wear white because that seems to be what folks are use to seeing, but sometimes I wear blue ones to match the kilt.

Originally Posted by davedove

I agree with both of these. The hat is out of place for an indoor event. I wouldn't wear the medals for a civilian event unless there will be a lot of military people there wearing their medals.

Does the invitation specifically state that medals and decorations are appropriate? If so, then wear them -- if not, then don't.

T.

**Cawdorian** · 22nd November 06, 05:58 AM

You can find the tuxedo shirt, studs and cuff links in the J.C. Penny catalog or on their web site at www.jcp.com for less than $ 35.00. They will also throw in a tie, a cummerbund or suspenders depending on which style of tux shirt you purchase.

Your fur sporran and the black wing tips will work very well, most guys wear off-white hose to these affairs, you will see a few pair of dark hose worn.