Cheap formal wear?

**Bugbear** · 30th April 08, 02:11 PM

Sounds good. Glad that this is being talked about in this way now.
As I say, live by the coin; die by the coin.

* I know that is a lifted phrase and kind of corny. It just seems a bit limiting to look only at the price of something and not at the value and the benifit of it's use: bla bla bla.

**Nick the DSM** · 30th April 08, 03:56 PM

good phrase, Ted, good phrase.

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 30th April 08, 04:11 PM

Actually, I buy quality as well.

Most of my eBay finds have been very good. The Sheriffmuir and Montrose doublets in particular. I am not so sure about the Royal Stewart Kilt I picked up with what I thought was a low bid. The last one was for charity anyway.

**DWFII** · 30th April 08, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by Dukeof Kircaldy

Actually, I buy quality as well.

Most of my eBay finds have been very good. The Sheriffmuir and Montrose doublets in particular. I am not so sure about the Royal Stewart Kilt I picked up with what I thought was a low bid. The last one was for charity anyway.

Yes, and wasn't it you that got that nice boar's head kilt pin too? I never saw it until it was posted here but since the boar is a MacSweeney animal (is that the correct term?) needless to say I was jealous.

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 30th April 08, 04:47 PM

Yep, for what I thought was going to have been a low bid.

Well, I may post it for sale on eBay US!

**Bugbear** · 2nd May 08, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Nick the DSM

good phrase, Ted, good phrase.

If you only look at the price of something, or look at it's price first, it often translates into "I can't have that." If you look for what fits your wants and needs, then look at the price, it becomes a goal.

I feel uncomfortable paring something of high quality with something of lesser quality, but that is the only choice sometimes.
Ehh, what do I know... probably won't be at too many formal events in my life.

On the other hand, if you can take a jacket of one kind or another and alter it to look acceptable with a kilt, I have no idea why that would be looked down apon... The time and skill put into the conversion adds value.

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 3rd May 08, 06:16 AM

Or a good quality kilt, sporran, doublet, etc. can end up in a thrift store on UK ebay! You can get a deal that way if you don't mind second hand. Besides, there is more status to old than new in UK dress.

**cwr89** · 3rd May 08, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by Mark Keeney

Which brings us back to the original question. Not how others would view you in cheap formal wear, but how would you feel when wearing it. Would you feel like you are getting away with something? Would you feel uneasy that someone might find out? Would you feel comfortable and confident? Would you feel you are representing your heritage to the best of your abilities?

So how does cheap formal kilted wear make you feel? Or do I put too much stock in dressing right?

I haven't read all 9 pages of this post, I haven't got that time on my hands. I can say that for me I feel comfortable and confident. I know that if I mess this up I don't have to pay a company that I am renting it from. I am a bit different from some as I went to many many many thrift stores and garage sales to put my formal together. My jacket is a really nice 150 or 200 dollar jacket however I got it at a thrift store for $1.00 it fits me perfect its solid black, and I have a seamstress that modified it for my perfectly to be a kilt jacket.
I actually feel more confident knowing hey, I am here and I am dressed with my own clothing. At 18, how many guys can say, if I am invited to a black tie event its not going to cost me 163.99 to rent a tux for the evening, and I will look just as good if not better than some people there.

I really think for me what makes my formal feel more like clothing than a costume is the simple fact that I own it, not to say that I don't own costumes (cause I do, lots of them) but I don't have to rent anything, I don't have to worry about getting my stuff on the day I need it, cause there are no local kilt rental places that I know of around me, and I don't have to worry about paying for it if something goes wrong.

I know I don't have a tank but I do have a nice SWK standard that I haven't worn but 1 time and its nice and ironed and ready to go.

now, I have switched shoes to some Nun bush dress formal shoes that I found at a garage sale brand new for $1.00

I can shed some light on this matter tomorrow because in about 9 hours I have my senior prom.

hope my input helped. like I said though, I haven't read the entire thread.
~Casey

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 3rd May 08, 08:23 AM

Well said, CWR89!

There is indeed a sense of accomplishment at having found good formal dress at a price within your budget.

**kiltedcarpenter** · 17th May 08, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by Mark Keeney

I just finished reading this thread "uber formal on the cheap: dollar by dollar" and I couldn't help but think "why?"

**disclaimer - I am just interested in a discussion and I am no way discounting or belittling the need or want for cheap formal wear**

Cheap formal wear may be an oxymoron. If it is formal wear you should feel regal and dressed to impress. If you are using a waiters jacket or even a converted waiters jacket aren't you just posing in a costume? I remember in school in music class we teased mercilessly a boy who had a violin from Sears and Roebuck because it was just posing as a serious instrument.

Do you really fit in if you are in a waiters tux or are you just wearing a costume to pretend to fit in? Do you worry someone will know and not accept your formal wear as real formal wear even if no one mentions it? Something like "Poor guy he can't afford a real kilt jacket."

I work hard to wear my kilts so that they aren't costumes and in my mind a sportkilt or my PV USA kilt won't cut it for dress occasions because it isn't a tank. I love my USA kilt and wear it with a sweater or oxford shirt and maybe even a tie but it isn't one of my tanks and I don't pretend it is.

I don't intend this to be a condemnation of anyone who wears the other kinds of jackets and the like, I just want to start a discussion and see if what I think has any basis at all.

I am a little offended by the "posing in a costume" comment. Maybe I take it a bit personally, but it still bothers me. I am a carpenter and almost never wear a suit. Since being kilted, I have not had the occasion to attend a formal event, until my upcoming wedding. Having said earlier that I am a carpenter, I dont have the money to spend on a PC, knowing I will not use it that often. My future wife and I have decided on the " waiters jacket" and are having it tailored.

Also, I have a problem with the "sears and roebuck instrument". I made a violin from a kit and have had people play it and say it sounds as good as any other. It sounds like you are hung up on labels first and foremost.

"Do you really fit in if you are in a waiters tux or are you just wearing a costume to pretend to fit in? Do you worry someone will know and not accept your formal wear as real formal wear even if no one mentions it? Something like "Poor guy he can't afford a real kilt jacket.""

I find it a little arrogant to say "poor guy......." keeping in mind that not everyone has as much disposable income as others...

"I work hard to wear my kilts so that they aren't costumes and in my mind a sportkilt or my PV USA kilt won't cut it for dress occasions because it isn't a tank."

Gee, I wish I could afford a tank, but right now I cant. Does this mean I am wearing a costume by trying to look the best I can with what I have?

I'm sorry, but the comments come across to me as elitist and I am sorry if I have offended anyone