Hey folks,

I'm new to the forum and have some questions.

I am a piper with my local band. As such I needed a kilt for gigs and what-not. I picked up a SWK Standard Irish National and absolutely love it.

Now I am faced with a bit of a dilemma. My first solo gig (for now) is scheduled for this October (5 months away), and I will be needing appropriate formal piping gear. I'm thinking that I will try to find a decent semi-formal package with kilt (kilt, Argyll, waistcoat, dress sporran) and then rent a PC or doublet for the gig, giving me a nice semi formal outfit that I own, and reserving the purchase of major formal wear for another time.

I already have a good set of ghillies, but that's about the only formal wear I have.

Looking at the Modern or Ancient MacFarlane tartan. I think that the modern would look more snappy for formal wear, but I do like the ancient and weathered looks as well. Should this be knife pleated to the line las most pipe bands have their kilts pleated? Will that work for the formal dress?