How formal is formal?

[Archangel]

Planopiper: I'm going back to the ad for this event where there is no mention of formal dress. I'm suggesting that somebody is overstating the requirements with loaded words. Otherwise, of course, you are right. (Ad: http://www.rotary5020.org/stephenlewis/)

Suggestion: you've still got a few days. Talk to your contact. Put your outfit together today and post a pic. By now, you know whose opinions you can respect, Hamish, for example. See what they say.

My feeling is that Lewis will be more appreciative of youth in a kilt than the "establishment", but you've still got to get through the door they're guarding. (Hmmn, there's another lesson from my parents.)

[Alan H]

Maybe it's time to just close your eyes and spring for a "dress" kilt, maybe in black? You could probably have a black Stillwater in time for this event. Team that up with a black, budget sporran and hose and shoes and you've got it.

White shirt, tie, black kilt, kilt hose, shiny black dress shoes, and you're there.

If it's sportcoat style rather than black tie, then look at how Steve dresses up his kilts on his web page. You can make that go, for sure.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Archangel, I just checked the poster, and it does not mention attire, but in just reading it, and the ticket cost, I would expect it to be a formal affair, especially because it includes a silent auction and dinner. Any event like that here would be assumed to be a formal event, maybe not black tie, but definitely suit and tie. Just my thoughts and impressions.

[Tiran]

Steven Lewis spoke at my college last year. Very moving.
Now on to the serious stuff. What to wear lol. I would dress up the brown kilt like you described and not worry. My experience with these types of things is many (if not all, unless you come froma much wealthier area) of the students will be wearing a dress shirt and tie, and most will not have jackets. At that age its not usually worth the cost to buy them suits. I will guess there will be at least one who will be underdressed as well (no tie, possible a tshirt) and one or two in dark jeans with shirt and tie. Dress it up, be clean and presentable and dont worry.

And I am saying this as a former student leader/politician who good some candid admissions and concessions from a College Board of Governors appointed by a governent not known for its respect for students (or anyone really, but thats a seperate story). I always found it useful to know their bias/expectation and use it. Underdressing can lead to being underestimated, which can be handy, but needs to be handled with a deft touch. But im babbling now.

Relax, and have a good time. Be moved and inspired and don't sweat the small stuff.

[Archangel]

Archangel, I just checked the poster, and it does not mention attire, but in just reading it, and the ticket cost, I would expect it to be a formal affair, especially because it includes a silent auction and dinner. Any event like that here would be assumed to be a formal event, maybe not black tie, but definitely suit and tie. Just my thoughts and impressions.

Yes, that's what I see. Those things indicate "dress up", so maybe "semi-formal". Formal, in the sense of black tie, tux, etc., would need some warning notice to the ticket buying public.

I looked at the Sportkilt hall of fame page looking for ideas but saw mostly warnings of people trying to make do. There was one group of people wearing white shirts and tie but only one of them looked like they had ever worn a tie before. There are lots of wrong jacket combinations. I hope I'm not sounding snotty and I hope they really had fun.

I've reviewed what you've got. Most importantly you've got an offer of help from Steve, take him up on it. His kilts look good enough for this event, unlike a Sportkilt (my tastes). I would suggest oatmeal/off-white socks/hose, consider them an investment. You'll dress up more times in the future and maybe silence your grad committee. My own taste also says wear a belt if no jacket/blazer. Again, don't make do (better to go without), think military or police belt. I wear a surplus web belt. I would prefer a sporran but first, that's money, and secondly not part of the Freedom kilt statment.

[whiteravenJr.]

It is also the attitude and your posture when i was on my cruise i wore my PV 4yard mapleleaf with a tux dress shirt a bow tie white hoes black flashes and black dress shoes. But you must also remeber that it is how you behave and your attitude.8-)