Queen's Garden Party...and the kilt

[Auld Jake]

I've been invited to the QGP at Holyrood in July, and as usual, I'd like to wear my kilt.
Advice thus far suggests a Morning suit or Lounge suit if in jacket and trousers, but how would you suggest I wear my kilt outfit to suit?

I have options; a dark grey Crail jacket and w/coat or black satin lapelled Brian Boru style mess jacket and waistcoat.
Shirtwise I have options of plain, or pleated white (with or without wing collar), or mid blue, with ties to suit in black, black bow, dark blue silk or green.
Socks in green, grey, black or maroon to wear under black brogues.

The tartan is Drummond of Perth.

[paulhenry]

I've been invited to the QGP at Holyrood in July, and as usual, I'd like to wear my kilt.
Advice thus far suggests a Morning suit or Lounge suit if in jacket and trousers, but how would you suggest I wear my kilt outfit to suit?

I have options; a dark grey Crail jacket and w/coat or black satin lapelled Brian Boru style mess jacket and waistcoat.
Shirtwise I have options of plain, or pleated white (with or without wing collar), or mid blue, with ties to suit in black, black bow, dark blue silk or green.
Socks in green, grey, black or maroon to wear under black brogues.

The tartan is Drummond of Perth.

A few years ago I went to the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, there is a thread here somewhere, I'll try and find it. I was kilted of course!
Found it
My visit

[JSFMACLJR]

A few years ago I went to the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, there is a thread here somewhere, I'll try and find it. I was kilted of course!
Found it
My visit

Good examples. If I were attending, I'd wear a morning coat, as would the Royal Gentlemen present...but that's just me!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Definitely NOT the Brian Boru. That's an evening only jacket-- I should know, it is one of several Irish designs that I did for Gaelic Themes.

The Crail with waistcoat, white shirt and tie would be perfectly acceptable (it is, after all the Highland equivalent of a suit), although if kilted I would suggest that you buy, beg, borrow, or rent a black Argyle jacket and 5 button waist coat as this would be the same as ordinary morning dress. Wing collars are no longer worn during the day, so stick with a plain white shirt with a fold over collar.

But above all, polish, Polish, POLISH your shoes until they look as though they have been carved from obsidian.

And, of course, enjoy the Garden Party.

[MacRobert's Reply]

I have done Holyrood twice. You will witness all kinds of outfits there but to be correct in the kilt you should wear Scottish Highland day or morning dress (not evening dress). Your dark gray Crail jacket and waistcoat should be fine but not the mess jacket which is for evening wear (after 6pm). The shirt should be plain not frilled and have a turn-down collar. White or blue should be fine. A white shirt looks a wee bit more formal. I would avoid the black tie - a bit funereal - and save the black bow tie for evening wear with the mess jacket. Any of the hose would be fine but the black would not be my favourite for day wear.

Enjoy your day with the royals.

[Auld Jake]

Thanks all, for the replies.
I've fallen between two stools with my jackets; the Argyll being the one I should wear, but I don't like the cut. I'm a wee bit short in the leg despite my height, and it makes me look top heavy, whereas the other two look far better on me.
I'll go and buy an Argyll though, we have the Kirk Wynd Kilt shop a few miles from home, and go for the choices suggested, sans the black socks!

Next question; with or without sgian-dubh?

[JSFMACLJR]

Next question; with or without sgian-dubh?

Well, with.

[Canuck of NI]

Well, with.

Really? This will get past the royal establishment security? Without a beating?

[cessna152towser]

The Crail jacket sounds good to me.
I attended Prince Charles' Garden Party at Holyrood in July 2002 and most of the male guests wore kilts.
I wore my Cunningham Modern 8-yard kilt with cream hose and red flashes, with a shirt and necktie, and a black Argyle jacket.
Can't remember whether I wore a sgian-dhu or not, though I looked out the information sheet which accompanied the invitation and it simply says "National Dress may be worn. Gentlemen Morning Coat, Lounge Suit or Uniform (No medals or chains of Office), Ladies, Day dress with hat or Uniform (No medals or chains of Office)."

[piperdbh]

Since the original question has been answered by people who know what they're talking about, will you please allow a question from me? What happens ata graden party, especially the Queen's? Is it a livley affair, with music and light cocktails, or is it a staid event with folks milling around making small-talk? Thanks.