Royal wedding inivtation: Dress

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Jock and Sandy are absolutely spot on. Highland morning dress consists of the following:

Kilt, kilt pin (not a blanket pin type), silver-mounted sporran (fur, seal skin, or leather), silver sporran chain, tartan hose, silk flashes, black, silver-mounted jewelled sgian dubh, dress brogues (buckle and strap) or plain brogues in fine leather (not ghillie brogues), black barathea (or vicuna) jacket and waistcoat (five buttons) with silver buttons, white shirt, grey silk tie, bonnet with crest badge.

While silver buttons are de rigueur, as are gauntlet cuffs, plain cuffs and self-covered buttons (as on ordinary morning coats) are acceptable.

[Brian K]

Jock and Sandy are absolutely spot on. Highland morning dress consists of the following:

Kilt, kilt pin (not a blanket pin type), silver-mounted sporran (fur, seal skin, or leather), silver sporran chain, tartan hose, silk flashes, black, silver-mounted jewelled sgian dubh, dress brogues (buckle and strap) or plain brogues in fine leather (not ghillie brogues), black barathea (or vicuna) jacket and waistcoat (five buttons) with silver buttons, white shirt, grey silk tie, bonnet with crest badge.

While silver buttons are de rigueur, as are gauntlet cuffs, plain cuffs and self-covered buttons (as on ordinary morning coats) are acceptable.

Scott,

I have learned a lot here but I know I have only scratched the surface of my ignorance. Because of that ignorance I'd like to ask a question. If morning wear is specified, would it be acceptable to wear a dove grey vest as with "ordinary" morning wear, or would one avoid that because it too closely apes Saxon style? From a non-Highland perspective it would seem to make sense, but that seems to be what leads most neophytes astray when they first try Highland dress.

Regards,

Brian

[Jock Scot]

Scott,

I have learned a lot here but I know I have only scratched the surface of my ignorance. Because of that ignorance I'd like to ask a question. If morning wear is specified, would it be acceptable to wear a dove grey vest as with "ordinary" morning wear, or would one avoid that because it too closely apes Saxon style? From a non-Highland perspective it would seem to make sense, but that seems to be what leads most neophytes astray when they first try Highland dress.

Regards,

Brian

Stick with black, Brian.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Stick with black, Brian.

I'll second that. The grey of my morning waistcoat closely matches the stripes in the trousers... what works with a black coat and striped trousers would be out of place with the kilt. Believe me, self-covered buttons are about as wild and crazy as you'll want to go!

[Brian K]

I'll second that. The grey of my morning waistcoat closely matches the stripes in the trousers... what works with a black coat and striped trousers would be out of place with the kilt. Believe me, self-covered buttons are about as wild and crazy as you'll want to go!

Jock and Scott,

Thank you for your replies, they were, in all honesty, what I expected but it's nice to have confirmation.

I noticed that it was hard to discuss the question of Saxon formal wear without bringing in the matching issue - something that is mostly ignored in Highland wear. It also seems that we are at least a little bit schizophrenic about some of the details about the edges, as the grey silk tie called for with the Highland morning dress equivalent is the same as one would wear for Saxon morning dress. It just shows that the whole thing is quite a bit more complicated than most people not acquainted with either, or both, modes of dress would ever understand.

Regards,

Brian

[starbkjrus]

If the wedding in question was to be a full State Occasion, which it is not by the way, then the dress stipulations would have much less room for manoeuvre.

I assume for example the wedding of the monarch would be a full State Occasion. Was the wedding of The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer one as well since he's heir to the throne?

[Jock Scot]

I assume for example the wedding of the monarch would be a full State Occasion. Was the wedding of The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer one as well since he's heir to the throne?

I think whether a Royal wedding is a full State Occasion, or not, is at the discretion of those that decide these things. From memory I think the Prince of Wales's first wedding was a full State Occasion.

I stand to be corrected here , but I think Prince William let it be known that a slightly less formal event would be more his style, particularly as he is well aware the financial situation of the UK population is not at its best at this moment in time. No doubt Miss Middleton and her family were consulted too.When all said and done, a very unusual situation for a bride's parents, but no doubt there is a formula in the archives to cover the situation!

[QotS]

Hi everyone.

There have been a few posts in this thread about not wearing a kilt past the Highland Line. I'd like to point out that the Highlands are only one region of Scotland and there is an abundance of kilt wearers all the
way down to the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. Infact, I know many Scots who live south of the border in England that still wear their kilt with great pride.

The kilt is a very personal piece of attire and should be worn at every opportunity. I sincerely hope there are some kilts at the royal wedding today, as there is no other dress that is quite as striking.

Great forum guys.

[McClef]

I have so far looked in vain for signs of a kilt!

It's not an official State occasion although it could be difficult to tell the difference. William is not the Heir Apparent he is the Heir Apparent of the Heir Apparent...