Semi-Formal advice: kilt length, sporran, argyll jacket, shoes

[LaphroaigQCFan]

Hello everyone. It's been a while since I posted. (I got great help last time and I'll post a review/pics of the USAK and Stillwater kilts I picked up quite a while back).
Sorry if this ends up being quite lengthy. Hopefully others seeking advice will find this useful too.

I'm planning on going to a semi-formal event (men mostly in suits or blazers except for the other kilt wearer who goes in PC jacket and bow tie).
I'm getting a kilt in the Alpha Chi Sigma tartan (https://www.alphachisigma.org/page.aspx?pid=653).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80208734@N03/7353144624/

So I'm seeking your vast advice on what sporran would go well with the tartan at a semiformal event. I quite like the hunting sporran, so I'm debating between a hunting sporran with silver cantle or a gray rabbit fur sporran.
Here are a few I was considering:
http://www.kiltmart.com/zencart/inde...roducts_id=280
http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/Car...idcategory=277
http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/Car...idcategory=277
http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/Car...idcategory=277

I'm looking to get an argyll jacket & vest for ideally $200 or less. (A specialty weave tartan already ups the price quite a bit). I saw midwestkilts.com has a decent price. Vicona wool seemed interesting as I'm in TX and odds are I'll mostly be wearing this coat during summer (and possibly fall or spring) but unlikely winter. Any experience with them or the material, or is Barathea just the way to go?

For shoes, would a well shined pair of dress shoes be sufficient?
White or off-white hose?

For reference length this is my Stillwater HW 24" at navel and 0.5-1" above. Does top of the knee /mid-knee matter for semiformal event or would an extra .5" be better?

http://flickr.com/gp/80208734@N03/M92EJ0

http://flickr.com/gp/80208734@N03/j86xgC

Much Thanks. And I'll try to catch up on posts and reviews (with some pics or it didn't happen, right)

[Holcombe Thomas]

Good morning.

I'm sure that others with way more knowledge than I will come along soon, but I'll leap in early. First, you ought to wear what you like. That said, I'd be inclined to leave the rabbit sporran for more formal wear.

Well-shined dress shoes are good. As for hose, white is out of fashion. To keep the budget at least somewhat under control, look at solid color hose, perhaps complementing one of the colors in your tartan. Oatmeal might be a decent choice, too, but the real experts, again, will be along shortly. Looking again at the photo of your kilt, I think black or a dark navy might work as well.

And most important, wear the kilt higher, an inch or two above the navel. It will look much better there. There's no difference between formal and informal.

Hope this is helpful.

Holcombe

[Jock Scot]

Well there will be those that will say "wear what you like" or " go with what you have" and no one could really disagree. BUT! If it were me, I would go with a plain leather sporran, tweed argyll(the most versitile jacket),in passing considering your Texan summers a light weight tweed or even a linen jacket might be a thought, non white hose, and polished black shoes. To my eyes, the kilt worn at the top of the knee cap height, set off the kilt and the wearer to best advantage, regardless of the event.

[Santa Wally]

I'd suggest Lewis hose in the color, Claret would look outstanding with that tartan.

[knotty]

Going with what you like is usually a safe bet.

I like of the grey rabbit sporran, but the all black is nice as well. I like rabbit sporran for every wear day. I find them a cut above.

The Vicona is an animal similar to the alpaca. The info I have is that its very much like sheep wool but cheaper. It might be warm unless you have light weight fabric.

Well shined shoes is a given.

White hose wouldnt look out of place since its in your tartan. You could also go with yellow/gold for the same reason. Green would also work (green is opposite to red). Red hose might clash with the tartan depending on the shades.

I like to wear my kilt mid knee. Any where between top & bottom is ok.


Craig