Formal Kilt Oufit - Help!

[Panache]

I have emails off to two companies inquiring about dress vests. I'm a little worried about what Hamish said about matching the material from the vest to the jacket. It makes me wonder if I would be better off modifying my satin vest that would at least match a satin bow tie (also I have the vest, have the matching buttons, and am not likely to need a satin tux vest anyway- so what the heck). I dug out my white hose* which I haven't worn in a long while and found a very old satin black bow tie (which is going to be replaced immediately, it's too worn and too small). I took a few pictures trying to incorporate some of your suggestions.







Cheers


* I realize many of you said that off white would be preferable, but I wasn't very happy with the result. It seemed just off to me to have the white shirt and the ecru hose.

[O'Neille]

I think you've almost got it. The belt and white hose look great even w/ the older style bow tie. I'd suggest a real bow tie and you'll be set. O'Neille

[Alan H]

I happen to like the cummerbund bettr than the satin vest, BUT....

If you don't wear the vest for anything else, you could put everything on and very carefully have the Goddess mark the bottom of the jacket on the vest. You'll want the vest an inch or so shorter than the jacket.

OK, when she marks it with chalk, and she'll have to be inventive with the bottom line of the ting in the front, then trim that puppy down. You'll lose the bottom button, for sure, and that will leave you with a three-button vest.

Replace the buttons on the vest with silver/pewter twins to the jacket buttons and try it again. It might work.

Then again, it might not and then you've spoilt a perfectly good vest.

Try this....no cummerbund, no belt. Hhowever make a small chain enclosure to hold the front of the jacket together. Basically this will be two buttons, twins of the ones you have on your jacket, joined by a -inch (roughly) length of matching chain. Orchard Supply Hardware sells shiny silver chain, it'll cost you less than a dollar.

Use the chain/buttons thing to limit how "wide" the front opening of the jacket goes, and wear it with NO cummerbund and NO vest. That's how a mess dress jacket usually works. if you decide to maket his your permanent solution then you'll want to replace one of the front buttons of the jacket with a button hole.

It's worth a try, anyway...try it before changing out the button for a buttonhole..

[Bob C]

Of the new pics, the one with the belt is the best. If you just hitch it up so you don't see so much tartan above it, I think you'd be all set.

The vest would be fine if you shorten it and change the buttons, as Alan suggests.

[Captain]

I think the no vest/co cumberbund with the belt looks pretty good myself. A vest wouldn't look bad, if it was the right vest... which that one isn't... maybe the modifications listed by Alan would be alright...

[Panache]

Ok Folks,

I'm sure you are all sick to death of me trying out variations for my kilted formal outfit. I really appreciate all of your feedback. None of what I have done so far felt right for me. So I've appreciate your help as I've muddled through this. I took Alan's advice on how to modify the vest.

...If you don't wear the vest for anything else, you could put everything on and very carefully have the Goddess mark the bottom of the jacket on the vest. You'll want the vest an inch or so shorter than the jacket.

OK, when she marks it with chalk, and she'll have to be inventive with the bottom line of the ting in the front, then trim that puppy down. You'll lose the bottom button, for sure, and that will leave you with a three-button vest.

Replace the buttons on the vest with silver/pewter twins to the jacket buttons and try it again.

I replaced the buttons and simply folded the bottom to see how it would look.

Here are the results:



When I looked in the mirror it looked right to me.

I need to adjust the bottom hem line of the vest a bit and give it a quick iron to make a sharp crease and put a couple of stiches in it to hold it in place (I also have the vest adjusted a tad too tight). I will purchase a wider nicer black satin bowtie that will match the vest and I think I will be set.

Cheers!

[Bob C]

Once you shorten the vest, I'd say you've got it. Nice work.

You should still consider the off-white hose, though.

[Alan H]

Hey, that looks pretty good. I like it.

You might consider getting some buttons that are twins to the jackets buttons, but one size smaller, and use those on the vest. However, what you have works, IMHO. A little blind stitching and some ironing and you're good to go.

BTW, I think that tartan bow tie looks good with Matt's Kilt...but that's just my opinion. Either black or tartan works. You might be able to get a Hunting Mac Leod bow tie off of ebay.

[Chef]

I think the waistcoat will work just fine once it's tailored properly. It will work because it is satin. I agree that if you can find the same buttons in a smaller size that would be best but I wouldn't worry too much about it.

* I realize many of you said that off white would be preferable, but I wasn't very happy with the result. It seemed just off to me to have the white shirt and the ecru hose.

I really does seem counter-intuitive doesn't it? Now the photo doesn't show your socks to be as bright white as I have seen but it could just be the photo. The off-white don't stand out and so they are more subtle than the pure white socks. Also the pure white can evoke memories of Jr. High gym class, and no one wants that.

[turpin]

You've got it nailed now. I do agree with Chef and Alan about the smaller buttons. 9 big buttons together just looks a bit too .... buttony.