Graduation Attire Advice Please

[O'Neille]

O.K., I've got my doctoral graduation on Saturday the 5th of August. The previously un-kilt-educated O'Neille would not have had this resource or expertise to draw upon. I have a "Dressy", that's what it says on the information, graduation dinner on Friday the 4th. Probably close to 500 people in attendance (just a guess). Drinks are 6-7 and dinner and an alumni presentation are 7-10 pm. I also have graduation Photos earlier that day with a long break before dinner. On Saturday at 10 a.m. I have graduation. I need advice on appropriate attire for the three events; pictures, dinner, and graduation. One Restriction is dark colors for all visible clothing for graduation. Also it will be hot in Mesa AZ if not pouring rain.

I have the following "nice" items to choose from in my wardrobe:

1. Prince Charlie (black)
2. Matching PC waistcoat (batwing shirt and bow tie of course)
4. Knotwork cuff links.
3. Hunting Stewart 6yd med wt 13 oz.
4. Black Watch 8 yd 16 oz.
5. Cameron of Erracht 8yd 16-18 oz.
6. Grey Crail Jacket (has button chain to add some dressiness)
7. Brown leather waistcoat
8. Trews
9. Formal black belt, Less formal (no kilt buckle) Brown with matching sporran straps for all
10. Formal off white rabbit and silver sporran (nice leather and chain strap)
11. Black leather standard 3 tassle sporran and Irish harp slightly dressier with silver and knotwork.
12. Alligator Sporran .
13. Off White, Bottle Green, and Olive Drab Hose
14. Green Flashes
15. Red Flashes
16. Gillie Brogues
17. Black cap toe Brogues
18. Brown cap toe Brogues
19. Various dress shirts and one bottle green and one black wool self color tie.

I will be representing all kilt wearers if I turn out to be the only one so please make your recommendtions. Specifically is it o.k. to wear a P.C. with dark hose in the daytime for an event such as a graduation, or no, go with day wear and use the P.C. at dinner the night before. All comments and suggestions will be appreciated. O'Neille

[Moose McLennan]

Congratulations. Wow, if I only had that kind of wardrobe to choose from!

Definitely the full PC rig in the evening with bow-tie, ghillies and off-white hose. Very sharp.

Personally, I'd wear the crail and a regular shirt and tie during the day and for the pics, avoiding brown, and with the brogues. The photos might look just a little too like wedding shots if you were wearing "the works".

[actually, I think I now see your point about the PC/dark clothing for graduation. Maybe you could don the PC gear and off-white hose just for the official pic during the day. The full rig with waistcoat and Prince Charlies is extremely warm as you will know. I'd make use of the luxury of owning nice daywear whatever.]

But most of all enjoy yourself.

M.

[Kilted KT]

Looks like you've got quite a selection to choose from. Best advice I can give: wear what you are most comfortable in. simple as that. You are graduating. Enjoy it, don't wear something you are not comfortable in.

[ozmeath]

That IS a good selection, congrats on the graduation O'Neille.
There's a few combo's there that I like but the main thing is that you have a black or a grey jacket to match to. How does the Cameron of E or the Hunting Stewart go with the Prince Charlie jacket and vest? There such good looking tartans (not sure which stewart you have but they're all strong). The rabbit sporran, black belt, off white shirt, off white hose but not sure what flashes. The black brogues of course.
It's like looking at a menu then not eating anything...
Hope it goes well O'Neille.
Erin

[Colin]

For the day time events wear the Grey Crail Jacket, Hunting Stewart 6yd med wt 13 oz, Black leather standard 3 tassle sporran, possibly with the bottle green hose and the bottle green wool tie.

For the "dressy" evening events, go for the Prince Charlie,Matching PC waistcoat (batwing shirt and bow tie of course), Knotwork cuff links, Cameron of Erracht 8yd 16-18 oz, Formal black belt, Formal off white rabbit and silver sporran, Off White hose, Red Flashes, and Ghillie Brogues

Just my 2 cents.

[HeathBar]

For the day time events wear the Grey Crail Jacket, Hunting Stewart 6yd med wt 13 oz, Black leather standard 3 tassle sporran, possibly with the bottle green hose and the bottle green wool tie.

For the "dressy" evening events, go for the Prince Charlie,Matching PC waistcoat (batwing shirt and bow tie of course), Knotwork cuff links, Cameron of Erracht 8yd 16-18 oz, Formal black belt, Formal off white rabbit and silver sporran, Off White hose, Red Flashes, and Ghillie Brogues

Just my 2 cents.

I like this combo. The only change I would make would be to leave off the formal belt with the PC outfit. Your waistcoat would cover it up. And if your kilt fits properly, you shouldn't need a belt to hold it up.

[Colin]

I like this combo. The only change I would make would be to leave off the formal belt with the PC outfit. Your waistcoat would cover it up. And if your kilt fits properly, you shouldn't need a belt to hold it up.

Oops, didn't notice I put that on there. I basically copied the list and delted the stuff that was not needed. I have never worn a belt with my waistcoat either. It would feel and look too odd.

[Tattoo Bradley]

For the day time events wear the Grey Crail Jacket, Hunting Stewart 6yd med wt 13 oz, Black leather standard 3 tassle sporran, possibly with the bottle green hose and the bottle green wool tie.

For the "dressy" evening events, go for the Prince Charlie,Matching PC waistcoat (batwing shirt and bow tie of course), Knotwork cuff links, Cameron of Erracht 8yd 16-18 oz, Formal off white rabbit and silver sporran, Off White hose, Red Flashes, and Ghillie Brogues

Just my 2 cents.

That sound's like a winner. I wish I had that day wear rig! I need some stuff in bottle green and a crail jacket.

[starbkjrus]

For the day time events wear the Grey Crail Jacket, Hunting Stewart 6yd med wt 13 oz, Black leather standard 3 tassle sporran, possibly with the bottle green hose and the bottle green wool tie.

For the "dressy" evening events, go for the Prince Charlie,Matching PC waistcoat (batwing shirt and bow tie of course), Knotwork cuff links, Cameron of Erracht 8yd 16-18 oz, Formal off white rabbit and silver sporran, Off White hose, Red Flashes, and Ghillie Brogues

Just my 2 cents.

I agree with Colin and Heathbar. I especially like the Cameron of Erracht colors for formal wear.

[Colin]

I agree with Colin and Heathbar. I especially like the Cameron of Erracht colors for formal wear.

and I like the colours of the Hunting Stewart next to Grey tweed in the day time. Blackwatch I have found is just too dark for evening events, but the Cameron is awesome.