Cheap formal wear?

[ccga3359]

I don't have that book, and I can't find it on Amazon..... But I love the quote!

That pretty much says it all.

Thanks

Jay our very own Matt Newsome carries it. Please don't tie him up too long ordering it. He has my Ancient MacLachlan 4 yard box to compleat.

[macwilkin]

Gents,

Please remember though, that some of us who do own "tailor-made" Highland attire saved long & hard for it. I sometimes think people assume that because someone owns "the best", we are all "moneybags". That's simply not the case; I know I'm certainly not.

My first PC was a converted tail jacket. I wore it until I had saved enough money to buy a "proper" one, and I passed my conversion along to someone else who needed it. That's a little trick I learned in CW reenacting, btw. Other items were presents from my parents, my mother-in-law and most especially, my wife. They're not hand-made, but they have just as much sentimental value to me because of who gave them to me as the items that were crafted by something.

I don't need instant gratification all of the time -- the anticipation is just as exciting. Besides, as my grandmother always said, true frugality is owning the "best" so you don't have to keep replacing it!

Regards,

Todd

[ChromeScholar]

The way I see it, every penny I don't have to spend on a formal jacket that I may only wear a couple of times a year is one more penny I can spend on kilts that I will wear a couple times a week (at least). Yes, I could rent when I needed a formal outfit, but for the cost of a single rental, I have a jacket that I can hang in the closet until it's needed. I avoid the p.i.t.a. of having to rent a jacket, and my conversion jacket is more than acceptable to all but the clothing snobs, and them I don't care about.

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . my conversion jacket is more than acceptable to all but the clothing snobs, and them I don't care about.

Right on! "Those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter."

[Panache]

... my conversion jacket is more than acceptable to all but the clothing snobs, and them I don't care about.

Ah herein lies the key to the whole thing. Are you defining "clothing snobs" as people who closely examine your garments and determine that they aren't made in Scotland or the right manufacturer and scoff at your attire? Or are these "clothing snobs" the ones who have a well developed fashion sense?

Here on XMTS I have seen some really splendid jacket conversions and some awkward ones. Likewise I have nodded with approval at some very clever and creative inexpensive formalwear outfits whilst shuddering at others.

Does this make me a "clothing snob"?

I have seen pictures here and noted people showing off some pretty expensive outfits that were poorly coordinated and worn.

Does this make me a "clothing snob"?

What about Matt Newsome or Hamish?

These are two gentlemen whose advice on attire I take to heart and I can't imagine them ever insulting someone who was poorly turned out, yet they wouldn't fail to note an ill fitting rumpled kilt, a poorly converted jacket, or a badly coordinated ensemble.

Ultimately if the kilt looks good, and the jacket looks good, and the whole outfit works together and is appropriate to the occassion it really doesn't matter an iota where the outfit came from.

Cheers

Jamie

[macwilkin]

Ah herein lies the key to the whole thing. Are you defining "clothing snobs" as people who closely examine your garments and determine that they aren't made in Scotland or the right manufacturer and scoff at your attire? Or are these "clothing snobs" the ones who have a well developed fashion sense?

Here on XMTS I have seen some really splendid jacket conversions and some awkward ones. Likewise I have nodded with approval at some very clever and creative inexpensive formalwear outfits whilst shuddering at others.

Does this make me a "clothing snob"?

I have seen pictures here and noted people showing off some pretty expensive outfits that were poorly coordinated and worn.

Does this make me a "clothing snob"?

What about Matt Newsome or Hamish?

These are two gentlemen whose advice on attire I take to heart and I can't imagine them ever insulting someone who was poorly turned out, yet they wouldn't fail to note an ill fitting rumpled kilt, a poorly converted jacket, or a badly coordinated ensemble.

Ultimately if the kilt looks good, and the jacket looks good, and the whole outfit works together and is appropriate to the occassion it really doesn't matter an iota where the outfit came from.

Cheers

Jamie

WELL SAID, JAMIE!

Todd

[O'Neille]

I only once noticed what one other person wore to a black tie event! He is probably one of the wealthiest people in Arizona and attended in a brown suit. I wouldn't have noticed if it was a nice black suit or if his wife wasn't so stunning in her outfit. I don't consider myself a clothes snob but this was a hobo suit. I wore my P.C. and passed on my royal blue velvet Montrose, jabot and cuffs. In this case I would have been a little out of place in the blue even though it is uber formal.

My advice is...If you stand out, stand out proud. If not just try to blend in with the rest of the cattle.

[mbhandy]

Ultimately if the kilt looks good, and the jacket looks good, and the whole outfit works together and is appropriate to the occasion it really doesn't matter an iota where the outfit came from.

Cheers

Jamie

I totally agree.

MrBill

[Daaaaang]

I personally agree with Chef's attitude, and would follow it up by saying that if someone does dress in a waiter's jacket, they should know that is what they are doing, that it is not the standard, but be okay with that.

As many people said, it's the attitude. I think that if I were to wear a low quality jacket trying to act like it was better than it was, I would be being rude. Now, if I wore the same jacket, but with no illusions of grandeur, I think that's a lot better.

I will always wear what I can afford, and if that's lower than the standard, it won't make me feel bad, but I will be aware of it, and I won't try to "fool" anybody.

As fluter said in another thread (this is the second time I'm echoing him), if you break rules it is important to know that you are breaking a rule.

Just my 0.02

[Graywolf]

You should always dress appropriate for the occasion in my opinion. If that means a rental or a conversion, then sobeit. However, one should never criticise another regardless of their dress. One must always assume that circumstances, whatever thye might be, prohibited the individual from getting the "appropriate attire" and accept them with grace and courtesy. Good manners is not only dressing appropriately but conducting oneself appropriately for the occasion. I have been to many formal functions once, because someone appropriately attired acted like a boor.