One for the native Scots

**Blueline72** · 17th January 14, 11:12 PM

I've been invited to a wedding in England. The bride spent a large part of her life in Glasgow. It's going to be black tie, possibly white at this point, the couple haven't made up their minds yet. Mty wife loved the way I looked in my kilt at our wedding and wants me to wear it to the ceremony. I'm a touch hesitant. I don't want to be viewed as some tacky American poser if you catch my meaning. Opinions?

**Jock Scot** · 18th January 14, 01:25 AM

Ask the happy couple and listen carefully to the reply. Sometimes there is a hidden code like "well you can, but-------", you also need to understand that as the wedding is in England, you will be probably expected to conform in some way to English dress conventions not Scottish ones and as such you will almost certainly be seen as an American poser wearing the kilt, if that is the route you choose to go down. I am quite sure that not a word would be said, good manners will prevail, but that does not stop people from thinking! I am also a little confused, in the UK we don't generaly have black tie/white tie weddings, so make sure that you understand what is expected, as there are very real trans-Atlantic differences in terminology and dress codes. You may be absolutely correct, but best to make sure.

**Phil** · 18th January 14, 01:42 AM

It is not unusual to see kilts at a wedding in England nowadays although, as an American, some people may be surprised that you would be wearing one.
I would follow Jock's advice and also ask if there will be any others kilted. If there are then go ahead.

**figheadair** · 18th January 14, 02:06 AM

There are a number of things you ought to consider starting with the feeling of the Bride and Groom. Assuming that they're okay with the idea then you would want to match the level of your dress with that of the non-kilted attendees. I would have no hesitation is wearing a kilt in to a wedding in England, did so last year, but some might be surprised by an American wearing one if it wasn't a Scottish wedding and no-one else was. That of course is absolutely not a reason why you shouldn’t wear a kilt, quite the opposite in my opinion. The location and venue may also have a bearing on your decision.

Bottom line - I for one would not be least bit offended and if the Bride and Groom are happy for you to wear a kilt then do so.

**MacRobert's Reply** · 18th January 14, 03:14 AM

Black or white tie suggests that the wedding is taking place in the evening: after 6pm. This would be unusual in the UK where almost all weddings are during the day. At formal day-time weddings guests normally wear morning dress and/or the Scottish highland equivalent of the black silver-buttoned Argyll jacket with the kilt. If the bride has friends comming from Glasgow, it is probable that some will be kilted (unless she has specified otherwise). In which case you should fit in quite well in your kilt.

As Jock has said, ask the couple and/or the mother of the bride.

**cessna152towser** · 18th January 14, 03:47 AM

I would agree. Best to ask the bride.
I have seen a few English weddings where some of the guests wore kilts, if either the bride or groom had a Scottish connection, but most weddings in England the male guests wear dark trouser suits.

**kilted scholar** · 18th January 14, 01:22 PM

I agree with the advice given above. Since it's black tie it's not in my domain but I have this observation. At the last wedding I was at in England, there was at least one kilt I observed, and there was no problem whatsoever. Perhaps in part this was due to a large proportion of the guests, not to mention the bride, having orange hair.

**Blueline72** · 18th January 14, 04:12 PM

Thanks guys you guys pretty much confirmed my thoughts on the matter. I think I'll forgo the kilt on this one and go with the flow.

**MacRobert's Reply** · 19th January 14, 01:56 AM

... but first find out the direction of flow.

**David** · 20th January 14, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Blueline72

Thanks guys you guys pretty much confirmed my thoughts on the matter. I think I'll forgo the kilt on this one and go with the flow.

Thats a pity. I'm off to one possibly two weddings in the next 18 months, neither are in Scotland, and I have never even considered not wearing my kilt. In fact I have been looking into options for a replacement jacket as my PC has continued to shrink over the past couple of years. At its current rate of shrinkage I'll reckon i only have till about May until wearing it will be impossible.