A Formal Alternative

[Dileasgubas]

I am a firm believer that quality counts as much as the style. You have a high quality sporran, which, when paired with the rest of what is obviously a quality outfit, should work just fine. A bit like wearing highly polished plain brogues when buckle brogues may be in order. You might not be perfectly dressed but you will be well dressed with quality pieces.

When we hold highland events our rule is to come as well dressed as you can, however that may be, which usually works out quite well for all concerned. Those with the "full kit" wear it; others dress with what they have. The common denominator is that everyone is kilted, dressed up and comfortable with what they have chosen to wear. Highlanders, especially from my part of the world, do not tend to be overly critical about such things. I would hate to see someone go out and buy a piece that they may wear once and then put in a drawer forever, when they could make good use of a nice piece from their wardrobe.

(I would, however, love to see a pic of the owl full mask sporran...)

[Leatherneck Donald]

A couple folks mentioned something about if a person was wearing Saxon evening wear, he wouldn't mix and match it or interpret it in an unusual manner... I have one thing for you to think about:
1970s tuxedo with a ruffled shirt

[BCAC]

Isn't it refreshing, however, as a civililian to be able to to individualize yourself and stand out in a crowd?

Yes it is. I still need to be properly dressed, though.

Remember where your going , and ask yourself , can anyone tell the difference ? If not wear what you like .

Sorry Gdsmn, that wouldn't do it for me. No one else would know, but I would.

[creagdhubh]

Sorry Gdsmn, that wouldn't do it for me. No one else would know, but I would.

Exactly!!!

[OC Richard]

I'd wear the same outfit to both events, the outfit you show. Why not make things simple?

I'm guilty of the reverse sin, wearing the same silver-top goathair sporran for all events regardless of level of formality.

Artificer's silver-top black sporran there might be the ideal crossover thing! Shark do you say? I thought it was the Eye Of Sauron.

[BCAC]

Unfortunately, with the slipping of standards, there will come a time in the distant future (fortunately, I will never see this) when standards will cease to exist. People will just say "no one will ever know" or "no one cares, anyway" or "nobody tells me what to wear" or "I can wear what I like".

In the not too distant past, men would never go out of their house without a hat. Who (except me ) regularly wears a hat (that is not a baseball cap), these days?

[Father Bill]

Me!

[MacKenzie]

In the not too distant past, men would never go out of their house without a hat.

And not much farther back a man would not go out, about town anyway, wearing only a shirt (on his upper half). for what we now refer to as a dress shirt was then under-wear.

[Green Dragon]

I wanted to drop you a note to wish you well and hope you have a grand time at the reception.

Best Wishes,

Mike

[TheOfficialBren]

Me!

And me on most days.