[Cygnus]

Originally Posted by Bugbear

If the invitation doesn't specifically say Highland attire, and it isn't in Scotland...

There are people that insist (whether rightly or wrongly, I'm not sure) that the "Highland equivalent" is suitable wear whether or not the invitation specifies as much. Personally, I think it depends on the occasion; some people would be completely open to having an invitee arrive in Highland attire but wouldn't think to include it on their invitations.

I think the frame of reference given by drawing comparisons between "normal" black and white tie and their Highland equivalents is also good for those wishing to host an event that is "Highland garb friendly" but that might not know what to wear or to expect of their guests.

It has certainly helped this novice better understand the Scottish National dress!

Originally Posted by piperdbh

Has anybody noticed that the OP backed out of this foray a long time ago?

...

Ah, good point. I guess it's high time I did as well - I think the discussion has long since left the ruche ties behind.

[Bugbear]

Originally Posted by piperdbh

Has anybody noticed that the OP backed out of this foray a long time ago?

I bet he's replanting your garlic, Ted.

He better not be wearing a PC and ruche cravat to do it!

Just trying to be more sour and pessimistic; I'll eventually fit in around here...

Garlic goes in the ground some time in September.

[macbheatha]

Originally Posted by Cygnus

My advice for wearing the ruche tie would be to wear it with a black Argyll jacket and waistcoat.

I would agree entirely. And for white tie events I wear an ivory silk stock with black Argyll and 5-button waistcoat...nice with an academic gown for graduations.

[Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

OK Jimmy fair questions and you and many others may not agree with my answers, but for what it is worth, here goes!

As far as I am aware there are no evening weddings in the UK so the PC(evening wear) should not really be worn to a daytime wedding(would you wear a dinner suit,tux, to a daytime wedding?). It also smacks of hire company misinformation of how it really ought to be done and their one outfit fits all mindset and frankly it is wrong. They (hire companies) are actually taking money for incorrect advice and they get away with it!

White hose do not , to my eyes, set the kilt off to best advantage and that is for me the most important issue. The far less important matter is again, that they are standard issue for hire company outfits.

I know you and others might think that I am an outdated fuddy duddy who really ought to just fade away(that is being polite, perhaps!), but the kilt is Scotland's, yours, national attire and how can we expect the rest of the world to give the kilt the justice it deserves if we , the Scots, can't get it right.

Have fun at the wedding, but whilst you are there, spend a few minutes looking at what people are wearing with the kilt and how they are wearing it and you will see that some things look right and some things don't. What you decide is right is entirely down to you. Have fun!

Yes I had great fun at the wedding, my niece was beautiful and everything went as planned.
So here is what I wore after listening to all the views on the forum - A Prince Charlie jacket, black 5 buttoned waistcoat, green ruche cravat, and Hunting Stewart kilt with black hose.
I have an Argyle jacket, a 3 button waistcoat, bow tie and white hose but after trying everything on, I went for the above combination which met with approval throughout.
I suppose most on the forum are right, you can really wear what you want but when I looked around at fellow kilt wearers, I could see many variations and styles on how to wear formal wear.
Even last night at the Lomond Folk Festival in Balloch there were quite a few kilties, all with their own individual style and individuality

[CMcG]

Originally Posted by Jimmy

Yes I had great fun at the wedding, my niece was beautiful and everything went as planned.
So here is what I wore after listening to all the views on the forum - A Prince Charlie jacket, black 5 buttoned waistcoat, green ruche cravat, and Hunting Stewart kilt with black hose.
I have an Argyle jacket, a 3 button waistcoat, bow tie and white hose but after trying everything on, I went for the above combination which met with approval throughout.
I suppose most on the forum are right, you can really wear what you want but when I looked around at fellow kilt wearers, I could see many variations and styles on how to wear formal wear.
Even last night at the Lomond Folk Festival in Balloch there were quite a few kilties, all with their own individual style and individuality

After so much discussion about it, let's see a picture!

[Jimmy]

good idea, as soon as i find where they are I'll post them, there were thousands taken maybe hundreds!

[Mike_Oettle]

Bugbear wrote: “. . . the white hose are probably being subconsciously compared to white spats of the old style formal, non-Highlander attire.”
To which Sean (Wildrover) responded:
“When I might like white socks:
A heavy knit, with a thick cabling pattern throughout, worn with a balanced outfit where the socks blended rather than stood in stark contrast.”
Personally, I might go for something like that, preferably in an unbleached natural white wool.
I have never worn spats, but the officers and warrant officers in my regiment did wear them. We ordinary rankers wore white anklets instead (much cheaper for Defence Force, and much less hassle to clean!).
I would prefer not to wear anything as starkly white on my calves again.

And it’s good to see that Jimmy got something out of this discussion after all.
I look forward to his pictures.
Regards,
Mike

PS: Cygnus, I would not have taken you for a novice at Scottish national dress!

[James Byous]

As a newbie here I might ad some flavor to the mix since not only am I a kilt/hat maker I am also in the wedding business doing photography and planning with my wife, Becky. Our weddings are almost all destination weddings with brides and grooms coming from around the globe. My experience is that nowadays anything goes. We've see it all. Prince Charlies at a wedding, day or night is a common sight as are Argyll and Tweed. I've not seen a ruche tie worn with a kilt, but I have no doubt that it wouldn't draw a second look except for someone to say that they liked it. I understand that rules differ across the pond, but I say go for it. Just as there are no official tartan police - wear what you want - around here there are no longer wedding police. They seem to have passed on with my father's generation.

[Jock Scot]

Originally Posted by James Byous

As a newbie here I might ad some flavor to the mix since not only am I a kilt/hat maker I am also in the wedding business doing photography and planning with my wife, Becky. Our weddings are almost all destination weddings with brides and grooms coming from around the globe. My experience is that nowadays anything goes. We've see it all. Prince Charlies at a wedding, day or night is a common sight as are Argyll and Tweed. I've not seen a ruche tie worn with a kilt, but I have no doubt that it wouldn't draw a second look except for someone to say that they liked it. I understand that rules differ across the pond, but I say go for it. Just as there are no official tartan police - wear what you want - around here there are no longer wedding police. They seem to have passed on with my father's generation.

Whilst I respect your right to hold that opinion entirely and concede that dress standards, for want of a better description, have loosened over the years and that is probably for the better.

Styles change,priorities change,the weather causes change and all that is quite understandable, I do, however, still believe that the "wear what you want" attitude to kilt attire shows little respect( "rules" do not enter into this) to another Nation's national attire. It is unthinking at best and arrogant at its worst.

[James Byous]

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Whilst I respect your right to hold that opinion entirely and concede that dress standards, for want of a better description, have loosened over the years and that is probably for the better.

Styles change,priorities change,the weather causes change and all that is quite understandable, I do, however, still believe that the "wear what you want" attitude to kilt attire shows little respect( "rules" do not enter into this) to another Nation's national attire. It is unthinking at best and arrogant at its worst.

I would agree only if native Scots would consent to never wear a tie with blue jeans...