So, as I mentioned in my introductory post in the newbies board, I'm going to a Burns Night Supper this Winter which is being hosted by the local Masonic Shrine. They've been doing this for at least several years now, but this is the first time I'll be attending. Being a Masonic event at a Shrine with a pipe band (and a Burns Supper at that!) I know that there will be several kilted men in attendance, including at least two of my buddies who are Masons and part of the pipe band.

As much as I wish I had $1000 to drop on an 8 yd. 16 oz premium kilt, tailor-fitted jacket, formal sporran, hose, ghillie brogues, etc., I'm on a much tighter budget than that right now. I fully plan to eventually buy such niceties, but time and cost are against me currently. Thus, I have a number of questions and quandaries.

Formal (Black Tie) Attire Checklist
  • Kilt - Looking at a 13 oz. wool budget kilt in either Irish National or Black Watch that looks nice from the online photos. For budget kilts, they look pretty well-made, have belt loops (which some budget kilts I've see do not have), leather straps w/ metal buckles (no Velcro or cheap plastic buckles), and appear to be well-pleated (assuming the photo isn't a stock image from somewhere else).
  • Jacket - I'm currently looking at getting a used tux jacket with tails to convert into a Brian Boru (shortening/narrowing the tails, adding cuffs and epaulets, and replacing buttons seemed much more sensible and doable with my moderate sewing experience than trying to convert a PC peak/notch collar to a shawl collar, change the shape/appearance of the tails, changing the type of cuffs, and replacing buttons)
  • Sporran - Probably borrowing from one of my buddies who has several formal sporrans.
  • Belt - Whether or not to wear a belt with formal attire seems to be up for debate. Whether or not I will wear it depends on how well the kilt fits around my belly and whether or not my buddy's spare sporran strap/chain fits around me or if I have to use sporran hangers.
  • Hose/Flashes - Looking for input on what hose and flashes to get; leaning toward black or charcoal hose and green flashes, since both tartans I'm considering have considerable amounts of green. I don't currently own flashes and the only hose I have are old cream ones that I wore with the rental kilt that I got married in 12.5 years ago.
  • Sgian Dubh - Not going to bother with it unless one of my buddies has one I can borrow for the night.
  • Shoes - I used to have a nice pair of patent leathers (all smooth black leather, no broguing). If they didn't disappear in the move into our house and still fit, I'll probably just stick with them. If I can't find them or they don't fit well, I'll probably just get a pair of inexpensive Oxfords or see if I can find anything decent at thrift/consignment shops.
  • Tie - Need a lot of feedback on this. I have a fairly long beard that covers my neck and falls to mid-chest. I have nothing against bow ties, in fact, I rather like them, but unless my head is turned or you're a bit off to one side or the other, you simply won't see it under my beard. Would something like a cravat, ruche, or other tie be appropriate? If so, what kind of shirt collar should they be worn with?
  • Waistcoat/Vest - Is a waistcoat/vest needed? Recommended? Does it depend on the type of shirt/tie I wear? Should it be black like the jacket or can it be in another color, pattern, or tartan? Does 3-button vs. 5-button matter that much?
  • Shirt - Most likely dependent on the tie.


I'm pretty set on going with the Brian Boru for two reasons; my family heritage is ~50% Irish and I personally like the look of the BB more than the PC. Though I do rather like the cut of the Argyle's jib and to my American, almost-never-going-to-black-tie-event eyes the Argyle looks quite fitting for a formal occasion.