Semi Formal Argyle

[Jock Scot]

Hello Hamish,

I am at one with you in agreeing that out friends in North America,other places in the world too,have a different view on dress codes and definitions of casual,formal etc., and that is their absolute right to hold those views.

Now, I am not in any way holding myself up as the oracle on matters of worldwide highland attire, I do think, however, a traditional view does put in a baseline for others to adapt as they see fit. Particularly as they are the ones asking the questions. I also sense a wish of some to follow the traditional line as best they can. Our friend McMurdo for one.

I quite accept that the weather conditions in the USA,for example,are quite different from here in Scotland and therefore realise full well that 24oz tweed jackets,waistcoat,heavy wool socks etc. are not going to be worn in their summer. Nevertheless as Scotland is the home of the kilt I cannot help but raise an eyebrow at some of the kilt attire that is worn abroad. From the pictures that I see on this website there are some who manage valiantly to follow the traditional line by adapting their clothing and not succoming to heatstroke!I take my bonnet off to them.

See you soon,
Jock.

[Hamish]

Hello Hamish,

I am at one with you in agreeing that out friends in North America,other places in the world too,have a different view on dress codes and definitions of casual,formal etc., and that is their absolute right to hold those views.

Now, I am not in any way holding myself up as the oracle on matters of worldwide highland attire, I do think, however, a traditional view does put in a baseline for others to adapt as they see fit. Particularly as they are the ones asking the questions. I also sense a wish of some to follow the traditional line as best they can. Our friend McMurdo for one.

I quite accept that the weather conditions in the USA,for example,are quite different from here in Scotland and therefore realise full well that 24oz tweed jackets,waistcoat,heavy wool socks etc. are not going to be worn in their summer. Nevertheless as Scotland is the home of the kilt I cannot help but raise an eyebrow at some of the kilt attire that is worn abroad. From the pictures that I see on this website there are some who manage valiantly to follow the traditional line by adapting their clothing and not succoming to heatstroke!I take my bonnet off to them.

See you soon,
Jock.

Again, I agree with you Jock.

I shall never recover from seeing, as I have on two separate occasions when in NYC, the Prince Charlie jacket worn over a T-shirt - one of the guys was also wearing trainers in place of polished, black shoes (or brogues)! Both the events were formal, black-tie 'dos' which were held in conditions of high humidity - but really!

Looking forward to meeting you in ten days time.

Take care,
Ham.

[JerseyLawyer]

I shall never recover from seeing, as I have on two separate occasions when in NYC, the Prince Charlie jacket worn over a T-shirt - one of the guys was also wearing trainers in place of polished, black shoes (or brogues)! Both the events were formal, black-tie 'dos' which were held in conditions of high humidity - but really!

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that's not acceptable in the USA, either, no matter how hot it is. If I'm wearing a tuxedo, I wear a tuxedo, not a tee-shirt with a tuxedo front screen printed on it. A PC is really the same thing.

Now, I wonder if a white PC would be acceptable for summer and tropical wear...

[macwilkin]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that's not acceptable in the USA, either, no matter how hot it is. If I'm wearing a tuxedo, I wear a tuxedo, not a tee-shirt with a tuxedo front screen printed on it. A PC is really the same thing.

Spot on. Just because there are some "eccentric" dressers in America doesn't mean we all dress that way.

Now, I wonder if a white PC would be acceptable for summer and tropical wear...

I thought white was only for formal occasions "east of Suez".

T.

[James MacMillan]

I thought white was only for formal occasions "east of Suez".

T.

I've seen white PC's for sale several places, but I have never been at a formal gathering where someone was wearing one. I think I would have to be running with an entirely different crowd to want to buy a white PC.

Mind you, I'm not knocking them, but really - Just where would I wear a white PC?

[macwilkin]

I've seen white PC's for sale several places, but I have never been at a formal gathering where someone was wearing one. I think I would have to be running with an entirely different crowd to want to buy a white PC.

Mind you, I'm not knocking them, but really - Just where would I wear a white PC?

I have a friend who wears a white dinner jacket during the summer, but I think he would even say "nyet" to a white PC.

T.

[fluter]

I have a friend who wears a white dinner jacket during the summer, but I think he would even say "nyet" to a white PC.

We'd look like we're going to the Cotton Club to meet Cab MacCalloway.

Given my latitude, however, I will confess to recurrent visions of a seersucker kilt suit.