Help! Silk purse from a sow's ear!

[Detroitpete]

Ok lads I need your help (again).

Mrs. Pete informed me that this "season" (October until the holidays) we'll be attending 3 balls. Yes I had to ask what a ball actually is. These are the big fancy charity-ball type of events. If anyone has ever seem my pictures of me in a kilt, well...when I'm "dressed up" my shirt actually has sleeves. The dressiest I get is adding a dress shirt, maybe a military sweater.

So----I've been told that that for these balls formal dress is expected. If I'm going to a ball, you can bet your bippy I'll be kilted. Tux's are acceptable dress as is something called 'formal mens's wear'--no idea what this means.

Here's a few specific questions:

Braemar or PC? Can they be interchangeable?
Dress spooran?
Brogues?

What in the world is a kilted guy at a ball supposed to look like? Pictures would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Could it be that Xmarks is helping me somehow 'evolve'?

[McMurdo]

Well I'd say the best steps would be to look the following threads for inspiration

Formal thread

1 Kilt 10 looks. Here I'd say concentrate on the last few outfits

As to the question of whether the P.C. and Braemar jacket are interchangeable I'd say that depends on if they are both made with Barathea wool and have silver buttons.

[Riverkilt]

I used to work in Detroit, and have stayed at the Algier's Motel Annex before the riots. I'm figuring you have some leeway in Detroit, probably not a lot of kilt police around.

So you can shoot for the look you want, but if your funds don't allow perfection just yet I'm guessing most will be so focused on your kilt that the rest of your kit will be accepted as is.

Bone up on the formal look with kilts then dress for yourself/your wife with what you can. You're gonna be a highlight of the balls just for being kilted.

Go party!

Ron

[longhuntr74]

Well, I'm a Kilt Newbie...but I know enough to field this one. As a career military officer, I guess you could say I'm pretty proficient at both the grungy and formal looks!!!

A formal Kilt outfit should include:
- A formal 8 yard kilt of wool (I guess you might get away with acrylic wool...but it's important to note that you should not really use a "casual" (ie. 4-5 yard) kilt for formal wear)
- A Prince Charles jacket and vest (You could also possibly get away with an Argyll jacket as well...but it's generally considered a semi-formal coat compared to the PC).
- Perhaps the vest is negotiable...you could also wear a cumberbund or a very fancy kilt belt and buckle...but you can't go wrong with the vest jacket combo...and probably cheaper than a quality fancy belt and buckle.
- A proper pair of matching, complementing color, or white kilt hose and dress shoes. These shoes could be the Ghillie Brogues but also could be a pair of dress black shoes. By the way...notice I say "black"...all leather for formal attire should be black...brown is considered casual...black tie calls for black leather.
- A white formal shirt...can be pleated or unpleated front and have a pique collar or fold down collar...but not a button down collar...again...button down collars fall into the same category as brown leather belts or shoes...business casual or casual wear...not formal wear.
- Black tie (a black silk/satin bowtie is appropriate. You could explore a solid black silk four in hand tie, a white jabot, or even a matching tartan bowtie...but I'd opt for the bow tie...can't go wrong)
- Semi-dress or dress sporran of fur or fine leather...most sites classify them as dress, semi dress, or day wear. Dress Sporrans are typically worn with a chain belt, whereas many people prefer a leather sporran belt for daily wear.

If I'm off base, you "veteran kilters" please let me know, but I think that my advice is sound.

[Paul]

I'd say PC, dress sporran and yes ghillie brogues or other smart black shoes.

Best examples are probably from Panache's pics:


or without the plaid.

[Detroitpete]

WOW! See--you guys are good AND quick! Here's what I'm thinking now:

1) Wouldn't it be GREAT to look as good as Panache, McMurdo and Hammish!?
2) I'm not a plaid guy--so no need for that.
3) Some of my kilts will work. I know my handmade Newsome tank won't be here by then, but maybe I need to consider adding another kilt bought specifically for more formal events.
4) I'm not a fan of tartan flashes--will my coordinated garder ties be ok?
5) Leaning toward either Eton, PC or Montrose--but a wool Braemar might work too?
6) Is my only choice for neck wear (outside of Montrose with jabot) a bow tie?
7 Your opinion--coordinating hose--or stick to white/cream?

and lastly...

If my fellow Highland Athlete Alan H. can pull this off--there just might be hope for me!

[ronstew]

I'd avoid the white hose, just to avoid Jock Scot's ire.

Many in our continent are unfamiliar with the art of polishing shoes. If you already have a nice pair of wingtips, and polishing is not part of your routine, get started now. That way, by the time you are off to the first ball, your shoes will have a good base, and you will able to bring up a glossy shine. Formal attire requires highly polished shoes.

[davedove]

For some other examples, here's a couple of my formal shots:

[macwilkin]

WOW! See--you guys are good AND quick! Here's what I'm thinking now:

1) Wouldn't it be GREAT to look as good as Panache, McMurdo and Hammish!?
2) I'm not a plaid guy--so no need for that.
3) Some of my kilts will work. I know my handmade Newsome tank won't be here by then, but maybe I need to consider adding another kilt bought specifically for more formal events.
4) I'm not a fan of tartan flashes--will my coordinated garder ties be ok?
5) Leaning toward either Eton, PC or Montrose--but a wool Braemar might work too?
6) Is my only choice for neck wear (outside of Montrose with jabot) a bow tie?
7 Your opinion--coordinating hose--or stick to white/cream?

and lastly...

If my fellow Highland Athlete Alan H. can pull this off--there just might be hope for me!

Your Newsome kilt will be fine for formal attire.

T.

[ForresterModern]

I think in most non-Scottish (unlikely to see another kiltie at the ball) formal settings you could get away with an Argyll jacket if a PC is not available, preferably with waistcoat, and a nice tie (bowtie or cravat) with a collared dress shirt (not button down), classy matching or white/cream hose and shined black dress shoes/ghillies, and a nice dress sporran with silver cantle. Afterall, your kilt is going to make you stick out already, and most likely nobody is going to be too picky beyond that as long as your outfit has black coat with silver buttons and you have the appropriate dress accoutrements to go with it. Only a true kiltie would recognize any discrepancies you might have from the "true" Scottish formal look others have described above.

Argyle vs PC at a formal event: