Over doing it

[Nathan]

I just browsed the photo galleries Nathan and failed to discriminate between the various events. Perhaps the hose was more varied at the last Burns Supper!

IMHO variety is the spice of life so while not overdoing it I would dare to be a wee bit different. There is a fine balance to be struck between conformity and originality; blending in and standing out; being sensitive to the expectations of others and not always going with the heard.

I may have missed it, but what does the invitation say about the dress code? If it is black tie, your doublet should be fine. If it needs to be dressed down then, as others have suggested, you could wear it partly unbuttoned or open. The chap with the jabot will look much more formal anyway.

This is how I wore mine recently.

But don't agonize too much and enjoy the event!

There's doublets and then there's doublets.

Your Balmoral, Nathan, is of the less ostentatious variety and effectively straddles different levels of formality. It is good ol' barathea, instead of velvet or silk; has a solid, subdued colour; and doesn't have lace cuffs sewn permanently into it, all of which combine to give you more wiggle room to dress it up or down for the event.

Has the Highland outfitter you wrote about actually seen your doublet? Speaking of Highland outfitters, have you read what Highland Clans has to say about the Balmoral? They are one of the few -- if not the only -- people who sell this style of doublet:

"The Balmoral Kilt Doublet is suitable for formal evening events, both black tie and white tie. It is traditionally made from Velvet, but is now also made in Barathea Wool.

...It is usually worn with a belt, and black bow tie (as shown but these items are not included).

...It can be worn less formally unbuttoned - in this case the belt would be worn round the kilt (under the jacket)."*

* my bold

Maybe give that a try and see how you like the look.

After giving this far too much thought and trying on a lot of combinations, I am leaning toward wearing the Balmoral doublet open with my plate belt buckle, seal sporran and either charcoal or bottle green hose.

Given that the doublet is barathea and that it is designed to be worn with a black bow tie rather than with a jabot, I'm pretty comfortable with the fact that it can be dressed down. After looking at the ensemble in the mirror and looking at MacRobert's fine photographic example, I think the solid coloured hose and plain polished dress shoes will keep it from going over the top.

I reserve the right to change my mind. ;)

[creagdhubh]

After giving this far too much thought and trying on a lot of combinations, I am leaning toward wearing the Balmoral doublet open with my plate belt buckle, seal sporran and either charcoal or bottle green hose.

Given that the doublet is barathea and that it is designed to be worn with a black bow tie rather than with a jabot, I'm pretty comfortable with the fact that it can be dressed down. After looking at the ensemble in the mirror and looking at MacRobert's fine photographic example, I think the solid coloured hose and plain polished dress shoes will keep it from going over the top.

I reserve the right to change my mind. ;)

Well done! I think you'll look smashing, Nathan! Fine choice indeed.

Slainte,

[CMcG]

After giving this far too much thought and trying on a lot of combinations, I am leaning toward wearing the Balmoral doublet open with my plate belt buckle, seal sporran and either charcoal or bottle green hose.

Given that the doublet is barathea and that it is designed to be worn with a black bow tie rather than with a jabot, I'm pretty comfortable with the fact that it can be dressed down. After looking at the ensemble in the mirror and looking at MacRobert's fine photographic example, I think the solid coloured hose and plain polished dress shoes will keep it from going over the top.

I reserve the right to change my mind. ;)

That sounds distinctive without over doing it. I look forward to seeing some pics!

[Nathan]

So, the Toronto St. Andrew's Society's Burns Night had a lot of things. It had haggis, music, poetry, a string quartet and a wide array of attire. One thing it didn't have a lot of was cameras. People weren't taking pictures and people weren't posing for them either. My photo was taken near the end of the evening while speaking to someone, but I'm not sure if I'll get a copy and that will most certainly be from the waist up.

Regarding the choice of attire - while I was the only Balmoral doublet there, I saw a few regulation doublets, a wide array of PCs, one BBSBA, two tweed Argylls and a variety of saxon attire including tuxedos, lounge suits, and a tweed jacket with waistcoat and tartan tie.

Most of the attendees I spoke to were native Scots although a few had parents from Scotland. Nobody I spoke to had a family that had been in Canada for several generations like my own although there was a nice couple from New Zealand whose ancestors would have been outwith Scotland since the mid 1800s.

Two of the gents in PCs wore them with jabot and cuffs, one of the gents in the regulation doublets also had a plaid and Mary Janes. There were two pairs of full tartan hose, a few self coloured sets but mostly white hose. For shoes, I saw plenty of ghillie brogues, some buckled shoes, some patent leather tuxedo shoes, regular dress shoes and a pair of ankle boots on the guy in the Prince Charlie with no tie.

I wasn't dressed exactly like any other gent and was somewhere in the middle of the pack in terms of formality. Nobody talked about tartans or clothing all night.

So, since I was flying solo and it would have been weird to ask a stranger to take a picture of me in my snazzy outfit, you'll have to settle for this end of night cloakroom selfie with my deepest apologies.



Here's one shot that came out of some other folks enjoying the evening.



Most importantly, the speeches were entertaining, the company was friendly, the food was well prepared, the poems well delivered and a lovely time was had by all.

[Highlander31]

Sounds like a well planned and enjoyable evening.

That's quite a spread in dress for the evening. You look well turned out in your doublet.
I'm having trouble picturing a PC sans tie with ankle boots.

[guardsman]

Jock 100% , may I reflect on title of thread , that is , overdoing it . I think you mentioned buckle shoes? Will that not make BBSBA dress enough , sometimes less is more , subtle but confident ! I have to ask , would you lose your confidence by being over dressed , or underdressed, understated ?

[Nathan]

So, what does everyone think; are diced or tartan hose too fancy to be paired with a dress Argyll for black tie? What about buckle brogues?

[CMcG]

Great idea! When do you want to meet up to take my pictures?

How about when my dissertation is done The snow should be melted by then and we can get some good outdoor light without also getting frostbite I guess that means you're on your own with a self-timer for sorting out a panel of Burn's supper outfits...

So, what does everyone think; are diced or tartan hose too fancy to be paired with a dress Argyll for black tie? What about buckle brogues?

If you are trying to dress down (still formal), then diced/tartan hose AND buckle brogues are probably too much. Maybe just one or t'other?

[Nathan]

How about when my dissertation is done The snow should be melted by then and we can get some good outdoor light without also getting frostbite I guess that means you're on your own with a self-timer for sorting out a panel of Burn's supper outfits...

I don't think my cell camera is that sophisticated but I suppose a Phd is a valid excuse...

If you are trying to dress down (still formal), then diced/tartan hose AND buckle brogues are probably too much. Maybe just one or t'other?

An interesting thought.

[TheOfficialBren]

Jock, great insight as always, my friend.
Re: kilted entertainers--yes---to a degree (unless you are Kanye West).
Colin, many congratulations. I hope to be there one day, too.
Nathan, darned good stuff. Great posts as always.