Laydown Collar for Formalwear?

[Captain]

I actually ended up getting a plain front, lay down collar. (ala James Bond). It's still french cuffed and uses studs instead of buttons... it feels amazing on and looks amazing... I'll probably never wear a pleated front again!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

First, let me compliment you on your choice of jacket. Tres chic. Likewise the buttons you've selected are very smart; if they are subdued (rather than shiney) the overall effect will be one of understated elegance, the hallmark of a Scottish Gentleman. All of you guys in your look-alike Prince Charlie coatees-- eat your hearts out!

I was going to rant and rave (aaaaaarg!!!-- dress shirt nonsense) but I won't. I would advise, however, that with a black tie you wear a fold over collar and black scoop front waistcoat (you can probably get it from the same company that provided the jacket). All in all a plain front dress shirt would probably look a tad smarter, but the choice is yours. For white tie get a regular V front pique waistcoat in white, and wear a wing collar shirt. Oh, and one other thing: NO WHITE HOSE!!!!!!! Ever!!!!! unless you have a tropical foot disease. Invest in a pair of tartan hose to match your kilt, and while you are waiting for them, wear black hose.

[Chef]

NO WHITE HOSE!!!!!!! Ever!!!!! unless you have a tropical foot disease. Invest in a pair of tartan hose to match your kilt, and while you are waiting for them, wear black hose.

I'm not going to start the great hose colour debate again, but that statement is your opinion. There are no rules against white or off-white hose with formal wear. Many well respected members of this forum wear them for formal wear (primarily the off-white). If you don't like them, that is your right but please make sure you state that it is your opinion.

[Rex_Tremende]

To begin with, any suggestion that "wings" are "only" to be worn with white tie is utter pig-poo! Wings are properly worn with black tie if one is dining out.

Some say dated, others say classic, but it is not pig-poo. Nevertheless, since so many of us advocate the wearing of the kilt in non-conformist ways, you are free to wear a black tie with a wing-tip collar if you choose, so long as you don't mind that you'll look like you got lost on your way to the glee club.

Have fun at your event,
Rex.

[fluter]

Invest in a pair of tartan hose to match your kilt, and while you are waiting for them, wear black hose.

I was going to ask this in another thread, but since you mention it... These were sooo close to my concept of the right pattern for Wallace tartan, that I could not resist them from sockdreams.com. What say you all?




I will undertake to polish the shoes before leaving the house!

[TheKiltedWonder]

Much more affordable than special orderig Argyll socks, I'm sure! I think they look pretty good. Too bad about the grey though, otherwise they'd be absolutely smashing!

Overall grade: B+. It could go higher or lower. I guess I'd have to see the whole outfit. I might have to look for something close to mine now...

[Coemgen]

As for pre-tied ties? I regard them as something of a social fraud. A gentleman ties his tie.

I completely agree. A pre-tied bow tie may seem easier and more convenient, but they look (in my humble opinion) ridiculous.

I was going to ask this in another thread, but since you mention it... These were sooo close to my concept of the right pattern for Wallace tartan, that I could not resist them from sockdreams.com. What say you all?

I just started drooling. Finally! Really smashing almost-tartan socks at a price that I, a Poor, Starving Liberal Arts Student, can afford! Huzzah!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

TO QUOTE: "since so many of us advocate the wearing of the kilt in non-conformist ways, you are free to wear a black tie with a wing-tip collar if you choose, so long as you don't mind that you'll look like you got lost on your way to the glee club."

How clever of you to mention glee clubs... do you sing? Sorry Rex, but I don't buy into the whole non-conformist thing. Too much dumbing down for my tastes. I prefer the elegance of style and wit in society, something that is sadly lacking in our post-modern world. But be of good cheer. If you will tell me where your glee club is singing I'll try to pop in on my way to the Ritz-- unless of course I get lost on the way.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Fluter-- those hose are great! Best off all-- actually TWO bests of all-- they don't cost a bomb, and they probably are not nearly as hot as the woolies one eventually gets from Scotland. Oh, and a THIRD best of all-- they are machine washable! Well done, indeed. And a tin of Kiwi Black Parade Gloss boot polish is winging your way (if I can figure out how to send it by email). Cheers!

[Captain]

Well, the jacket should be back tomorrow with all the alterations... The shirt I ended up getting is a Pronto Uomo, non-iron, lay-down collar tuxedo shirt that feels amazing while it's on... I've only got off-white and black hose right now, so I'll be wearing the black ones (it doesn't hurt either that they're wide-calf hose and fit a lot better than the off white ones) as I don't really like the way the off-white ones look... that is my personal preference though... I don't really see myself getting invited to any white tie affairs any time soon, so the outfit ought to fulfill all my "formal wear" needs for the foreseeable future. I'm pretty stoked about it... I'll post pics as soon as I get the jacket back.