Opinions Please

[Chef]

Based on the information you've given, including more information about the K of C uniform I have a couple more comments.

I agree that the shoulder braid and the plaid are a little much. I have 3 options. Go without either, wear only the braid, or wear only the plaid. I think that I'll gauge the function to see which of the 3 options I'll choose.

Since the jacket really is a uniform coat for the K of C I would definitely drop the plaid. The fly plaid is really a civilian article of dress. It is based on the full plaid but neither is worn with a mess jacket. So I would stay with convention and leave it off.

I just don't go formal enough to justify buckle shoes, much less ghillie brogues. Is it too much of a faux pas to buy ghillies laces and add them to wingtips?

I originally suggested ghillies but again with the uniform aspect, I would pass. Ghillies are again a civilian item. MacMillan's suggestion of a really good polish and ghillie flaps is a good one.

I'll have to go look at the jacket and see if the buttons are easily changed, but I have to have the gold for my KofC functions. Otherwise, I'm thinking of going sans belt to avoid the clash.

The best way to without the belt is with a waistcoat as mentioned. You can find one at Marlow White. They are a military uniform supplier. What you are looking for is aWhite Mess Coat Waistcoat. This one is for the Army White Mess Coat. Also since it is backless it won't be too warm for your area.

Thanks again for everyone's help. It's really going to help me fine tune my kit. Like I said earlier, I have a sense of style that is right for me, but I don't won't to look like a dork either!

I think you are off to a great start. No dorkishness in site.

[Chef]

OK, I like the white jacket. I had a similar one when I was in Florida. A few notes.

• The belt is fine what I'm not crazy about is the chrome buckle with the gold buttons. I changed the buttons for silver but you might not have a choice. If you don't that's fine. You could wear a waistcoat if you like but the belt is fine.
  
• You might guess I don't like the plaid. I think the outfit would look much better without it as it's not that formal.
  
• I agree that a dress sporran would be a better choice. With the military feel of the jacket you could wear a hair sporran if you like. I think it would go.
  
• Normally I like off white hose, even with a white shirt, but the white jacket makes them look out of place. I think I would consider a pair of coloured hose.
  
• As mentioned I think ghillies would be a good choice.

You have the start of a a very smart outfit there. Good Luck.

[Panache]

• The belt is fine what I'm not crazy about is the chrome buckle with the gold buttons. I changed the buttons for silver but you might not have a choice. If you don't that's fine. You could wear a waistcoat if you like but the belt is fine.
  
• You might guess I don't like the plaid. I think the outfit would look much better without it as it's not that formal.
  
• I agree that a dress sporran would be a better choice. With the military feel of the jacket you could wear a hair sporran if you like. I think it would go.
  
• Normally I like off white hose, even with a white shirt, but the white jacket makes them look out of place. I think I would consider a pair of coloured hose.
  
• As mentioned I think ghillies would be a good choice.

You have the start of a a very smart outfit there. Good Luck.

What Chef said, with the exception of the ghillie brogues which I don't think would work as well as the simple black dress shoes.

Cheers

Jamie

[macwilkin]

Another vote against the plaid, especially since the jacket appears to be a military "mess jacket".

Does a cummerbund go with this particular jacket?

T.

[ChattanCat]

First, I love a white jacket.
Try a white vest?
Second, I would recommend that all hardware be either silver or gold, don't mix.
I would also try white popcorn socks. What's a little more white? Most here don't and I expect they will pipe in here

[billmcc]

I agree with Chef, except for the Ghillies and hair sporran. When you are able to upgrade the sporran, consider an all-leather dress sporran like this:
http://scottishkilts.net/products/le...th_cantle.html

[SFCRick]

I agree with McMurdo, A dress Sporran would look great and a waistcoat, minus the belt would help with the coat looking too long.

[Macman]

I like the look and agree with what most have said. The only thing I would change is the hose; I usually like cream hose, but I don't think it goes with the white jacket. I think white hose would go well, but I wouldn't rule out red either.

[Warlock]

Sir, I think that it's a damn smart outfit! But the hose need to be white or red, or some other matching colour.

[cavscout]

I'm a huge fan of white jackets like this. I think an awesome look would be a black kilt with the white jacket (very Humphrey Bogart 'ish) you could even add on a black plaid if you wanted to.

Speaking of the plaid, I like plaids, but I'm not fond of the way they look when they hang down so far in front. I know a lot of places say that's how they should be worn but it just looks too busy in front with the buttons, buckle, sporran and then a "bib" hanging there covering almost 1/4 of the outfit. I'd adjust the front so that only about 4" to 6" is visible over the shoulder (adjust the remainder in the back to fall where it needs to).

Loose the off white hose, if you go with white, get a nice thick pair of pipers hose or cable knit kilt hose. The "standard" white are just too thin with a formal out fit like this.

Swap the buttons for nickel. Is that jacket button holed (many military jackets are so you can remove the anodized button for dry cleaning). If not, consider having a tailor button hole it for you and you can interchange the brass and nickel at will.

This is just a wild thought, what about swapping your chain strap for a white sporran strap? Some of the Regiments used white straps and looked very sharp.

All in all, Good on ya!