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.

[Hamish]

Ham
as a North American I have to say that I also agree completely with Jock's assessment of the outfit. I would have dressed exactly as Jock suggested. I for one look forward to the opinions of those members from the UK as I respect the views that many of our UK members, yourself and Jock included.

To my view you can not go wrong with Traditional Highland attire when talking about an outfit for an outing such as this one. I always look forward to your thoughts and comments on those outfits, and you've both been an invariable help to this fledgling kilt wearer, your thoughts and encouragement has helped me to gain the confidence and eye for style needed for successful kilt wearing.

Thanks, Glen, for your kind words.

Maybe I did not express myself above as I intended - what I really meant was that it can be difficult for us in cooler/wetter parts of the world to advise those who reside in hot, dry climates - areas such as Florida and California, for example. Whereas we might put on a tweed jacket and shirt with tie for even a high-Summer event, those sweltering in hot sunshine will dress-down and turn out in outfits that really would be unacceptable here.

Light-weight kilts are great (and I have taken advantage of them myself when in Southern California), but I could never attend the theatre or a semi-formal event without wearing a jacket and a tie, no matter what the weather is doing!

Unless we have experience of life in climates different to our own, I do not believe we can really offer useful or helpful advice and so I very, very seldom do so nowadays - unless I am able to enter into a lengthy discussion regarding the enquirer's clothing choices when tr--s--ed.

Take care,
Ham.

[Jack Daw]

Spot on, Rollerboy. I've worn that combo many times.