So how is this?

[sfb]

Hi Jim,

I think you look very smart. Kilt wearing is all about individuality and your own sense of fashion. Both will change and grow as you wear the kilt more often. Do not be frightened of experimenting. If you are the only kilt wearer at a function, remember, you are then the expert.

Regards

Chas

Absolutely! Couldn't agree more.

Personally I've found that for a formal (black tie) function, black socks - sorry, hose - are a pretty good, smart choice. Ties in with all the dinner suits everyone else is wearing.

Oh, and a self tie bowtie is indeed worth mastering. I'm not sure that it looks any smarter than a clip-on to most casual observers, but it's much cooler when you untie it at the end of the evening and leave it dangling casually round your neck.

[davedove]

Oh, and a self tie bowtie is indeed worth mastering. I'm not sure that it looks any smarter than a clip-on to most casual observers, but it's much cooler when you untie it at the end of the evening and leave it dangling casually round your neck.

Or someone else unties it for you.

[sfb]

Or someone else unties it for you.

I can almost remember the time when there was a chance of that happening.

[Drac]

I can see it now:

The Ball winds down with the last hold outs lounging next to the bar. I have my tie undone in a joie de vivre fashion. My wife is siting on the bar stool leaning against the bar with her high heels kicked off. She gives me the steamy bedroom eyes as she sips her two fingers of McAllen letting me know it's time to take her back to our hotel room.

Reality:

After listing to boring speeches, boring toasts and watch an even more boring history of the Navy (in fairness it's a good show, we've just seen it three times). After the cake cutting we headed back to our hotel and collapsed since it was two hours past our normal bed time. Wife doesn't drink and I wouldn't use the scotch (or any other of the choices) they had at the bar to strip paint.

The food was better than previous years since we were at a new place.

I am taking large amounts of notes. I want to make sure I get it right. Funny thing was is the Fashion Boss had said the fly plaid was over kill and I should have listened to her. Another reason she's the Boss.

Nothing wrong with your comments about the medals Garry.

Pete, as my Sea Bee buddies say - HOORAH.

Jim

[Foosinho]

Just my $0.02... I'm another "entry level" kilt owner. I'm almost entirely outfitted by Stillwater. The difference in quality is noticeable between my kilt and the fine wool ones (especially when you can see both at the same time!), but if I'm the only kilted gent in the room the Stillwater is, well... the only kilt in the room, and thus awesome!

IMO it can be a bit challenging to come up with a nice outfit for more formal occasions "from scratch". Kind of daunting, actually. I think you have gotten off to a fine start. After all, you aren't wearing trousers!