The Tweed Argyll.

[Macman]

A question on that front - and really a question, not an opinion posed as a question. It has been said on this forum by many that the black barathea Argyle with silver buttons is the Highland equivalent of a morning suit. All the men I see in Saxon attire are wearing morning suits. I didn't watch the wedding, so I don't know if some men showed up in business suits, which is the analog of what this man in the kilt is wearing. So my question is, regardless of how nice this man looks (and there is no question that he looks nice), is he underdressed?

I think that the invitations specified uniform, morning coat or lounge suit. Not that I received an invitation directly, though.

[auld argonian]

I think that the invitations specified morning dress or lounge suit. Not that I received an invitation directly, though.

Yeah...I'm pissed off...mine just came in the mail yesterday....damn slow postal service!

Best

AA

[SlackerDrummer]

A fair question. There were indeed lounge(business) suits being worn(as per the choice given on the invitation) there, so our kilted example is perfectly dressed for the occasion.

I think that the invitations specified uniform, morning coat or lounge suit. Not that I received an invitation directly, though.

Thanks for the clarification.

[chrisupyonder]

I am inclined to wear my tweed most of the time. Casual with a polo shirt, a bit more formal with a tie or with matching waistcoat and tie. I would NOT wear the waistcoat without a tie.

I have though ordered a black argyle with shiny buttons. I feel the need for more formal occasions such as the clan dinner coming up in July. Or caravan club dinners etc.

Went shopping yesterday in Thurso in kilt, tweed, polo without waistcoat or tie.

Although I would love to own and wear a sheriffmuir with jabot and cuffs, I cannot think of any occasion in my life where I would actually NEED one.

And as for colour matching hose etc. just wear the first pair I pick up. green, blue, black, navy, who cares. Just not white.

Just my tuppence worth.

Now where's that flat cap gone?

Chris.

[OC Richard]

This thread brings up a question which may point to a large sartorial difference between Highland and Saxon dress.

Jock Scot has, unless I misunderstand him, stressed that all tweed jackets are on equal footing in Highland eyes. So at a function one would see kilt jackets in charcoal grey, Lovat green, houndstooth check, windowpane check, and so forth.

However for members of the English aristocracy check tweed jackets are worn with breeks for shooting etc and I didn't see anyone attending the Royal Wedding so dressed.

Like many other Americans, I tend to associate various Highland jackets with their imagined equivalents in Saxon dress. So, were I invited to an event stipulating Morning Dress I would wear a charcoal grey Argyll, it being the closest in appearance, as I would want to be kilted but at the same time avoid contrasting too much with the men in Saxon dress. Were it an outdoor function where the men would be in check tweed I would wear a kilt jacket of similar fabric. Apparently this entire line of thinking is non-Highland, if I understand Jock Scot correctly.

[Jock Scot]

This thread brings up a question which may point to a large sartorial difference between Highland and Saxon dress.

Jock Scot has, unless I misunderstand him, stressed that all tweed jackets are on equal footing in Highland eyes. So at a function one would see kilt jackets in charcoal grey, Lovat green, houndstooth check, windowpane check, and so forth.

However for members of the English aristocracy check tweed jackets are worn with breeks for shooting etc and I didn't see anyone attending the Royal Wedding so dressed.

AND NOR WOULD YOU!

In the UK, including Scotland, if morning dress was specifically stipulated then you would be quite wrong to wear tweed with the kilt. In this event the appropriate Highland attire would require a black barathea, silver buttoned argyll. There are some ultra, ultra, ultra rare occasions where a montrose or something similar might be appropriate, but I stress, ultra rare.And NEVER EVER(although the unaware do wear them) a PC. We do not have evening weddings, as far as I am aware, in the UK.

Tweed jackets, for saxon wear,worn with say cords, are not really suitable for a UK wedding, although at an informal country wedding they may appear. A tweed shooting suit(I think this is what you are describing) is not wedding attire. Although if a game keeper is being married then he might well do so and his colleagues may also turn out wearing their estate tweeds, as might a guest gamekeeper from afar(think country uniform in this instance). A three piece tweed saxon suit(trousers, not plus 4's) is sometimes seen at a country wedding where morning dress is not required.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

So, were I invited to an event stipulating Morning Dress I would wear a charcoal grey Argyll, it being the closest in appearance, as I would want to be kilted but at the same time avoid contrasting too much with the men in Saxon dress. Were it an outdoor function where the men would be in check tweed I would wear a kilt jacket of similar fabric. Apparently this entire line of thinking is non-Highland, if I understand Jock Scot correctly.

Richard, it's all down to what it says on the invitation. If the invitation specifies morning dress, then that's what would be worn: black morning coat, tan or grey waistcoat, grey striped trousers; if kilted then a black Argyll jacket with black waistcoat would be appropriate. In both instances the coats should be of superfine wool or barathea; tweeds-- of any shade-- would not be worn. If the invitation specified, or included, the wearing of a lounge suit, then it would be permissible, if kilted, to wear a charcoal, or other coloured, tweed or wool "day wear" jacket. In the summer, especially at weddings (and the enclosure at Royal Ascot), morning coats are usually a pale, pearl grey colour, rather than black.

As far as "men in Saxon dress" goes, aren't they wearing spiked helmets and carrying Mauser rifles? Oh wait. That'd be the men in Prussian dress, wouldn't it?

(I see Jock got in a few minutes ahead of me-- serves me right for answering the telephone!)

[fluter]

In addition to "city" shirts, and brightly coloured ties, one also occasionally catches a glimpse of red socks being worn with morning dress. ... Suffice it to say that striped shirts (with white collars and cuffs) and almost-electric coloured ties are perfectly acceptable.

MoR, thanks for that info!

Since I'm a musician, evening dress is generally no mystery, but my exposure to morning dress is what I've seen in Stateside weddings. I guess that could be defined as the "cookie-cutter rental outfit." With that background, I was expecting more wing collars and cravats. We live and (with luck) we learn.

The only proper English wedding party I recall seeing was about 20 years ago, and I could not tell you what they were wearing. What sticks with me is that they left the church in a Bentley, to a lovely peal of bells (a full octave, no less), just as we happened by.

[Morris at Heathfield]

As far as "men in Saxon dress" goes, aren't they wearing spiked helmets and carrying Mauser rifles? Oh wait. That'd be the men in Prussian dress, wouldn't it?

For some reason, whenever I hear that phrase I picture men in knee-length tunics, mantles, and cross-gartered trousers, carrying round shields and spears.

[Father Bill]

Great thread. I'm saving for a tweed right now - about 2/3 of the way there. There's a nice bluish one I've seen that goes nicely with the clergy blue tartan without being too "matchy-matchy". Haven't decided if I'll order the vest too since it goes with the clergy shirt or clergy vest well, but maybe for the little bit extra $$ it's just as well to have it. Whaddaya think, fellows?