PC equivalents and such

[sathor]

I was thinking today that some might think a Kilt/Argyle or whatever set up you might have could look rather un-American. (which is fair enough)

But that got me thinking, what would most suits be considered? I have heard of expensive 'Italian" suits, and it leaves me wondering if the American equivalent to the Formalwear world is that blasted white suit outfit that Harlan Sanders of KFC wears? Is a standard tux basically a French/European thing? Does that mean a full Kilt outfit is just as proper as a normal tux, simply because neither are really 'American' ? I'm not suggesting an issue with the kilt, but is there really an 'American' equivalent, and if there is, is it really the white suit from the south?

[RockyR]

Either that or baggy pants...

... or maybe a Zoot Suit

[JSFMACLJR]

I was thinking today that some might think a Kilt/Argyle or whatever set up you might have could look rather un-American. (which is fair enough)

But that got me thinking, what would most suits be considered? I have heard of expensive 'Italian" suits, and it leaves me wondering if the American equivalent to the Formalwear world is that blasted white suit outfit that Harlan Sanders of KFC wears? Is a standard tux basically a French/European thing? Does that mean a full Kilt outfit is just as proper as a normal tux, simply because neither are really 'American' ? I'm not suggesting an issue with the kilt, but is there really an 'American' equivalent, and if there is, is it really the white suit from the south?

Gentlemen have been wearing white suits well before Col. Sanders tied his first string tie!

I don't quite follow your question: are you asking if there is an American equivalent of the kilt? I don't know how to answer that. The kilt is Scottish. Americans generally were trousers, suits, and such.

A "standard tux"--French/European? Well, the dinner jacket was originally made for King Edward VII. Sort of European, I guess.

A "full kilt outfit" is just as proper as a tux, as long as that kilt outfit follows the traditions and established "rules" of Highland evening dress. There are all sorts of posts in the Forum which discuss proper dress.

And by the way, a white linen suit is NOT a Southern replacement for evening dress. We wear a dinner jacket!

[ForresterModern]

A loin cloth, leather leggings, moccasins, a necklace made from the claws of a bear, and a headress with a number of eagle feathers commensurate to your standing, rank, experience in the clan---uhhhh---tribe.

[piperdbh]

A loin cloth, leather leggings, moccasins, a necklace made from the claws of a bear, and a headress with a number of eagle feathers commensurate to your standing, rank, experience in the clan---uhhhh---tribe.

...with some pokeberry make-up, just for good measure.

[Bigkahuna]

I am not positive about this, but I believe the Tuxedo is named for the Town in upstate New York where it made it's first U.S. appearence.

[sathor]

What I think I meant was more to the effect that if one might be suggested to bu unpatriotic in wearing a full kilt outfit to a patriotic event, would wearing anything else really be any better.

[McMurdo]

I am not positive about this, but I believe the Tuxedo is named for the Town in upstate New York where it made it's first U.S. appearence.

That is the general story. In the spring of 1886, the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII of the United Kingdom) invited James Potter, a rich New Yorker and his wife, Cora Potter, to Sandringham House, his Norfolk hunting estate.

When Potter asked the Prince's dinner dress recommendation, he sent Potter to Henry Poole & Co., in London. On returning to New York in 1886, Potter's dinner suit proved popular at the Tuxedo Park Club; the club men copied him, soon making it their informal dining uniform. The evening dress for men now popularly known as a tuxedo takes its name from Tuxedo Park, where it was said to have been worn for the first time in the United States, by Griswald Lorillard at the annual Autumn Ball of the Tuxedo Club founded by Pierre Lorillard IV, and thereafter became popular for formal dress in America. Legend dictates that it became known as the tuxedo when a fellow asked another at the Autumn Ball, "Why does that man's jacket not have coattails on it?" The other answered, "He is from Tuxedo Park." The first gentleman misinterpreted and told all of his friends that he saw a man wearing a jacket without coattails called a tuxedo, not from Tuxedo.

In that case I suppose it could be said that the tuxedo while strictly not American was made popular in America.

Having said all that I would say the tuxedo would be patriotic enough or at least as patriotic as what anyone else would be wearing. Personally I would wear my kilt with the appropriate jacket and accessories as I would think even at a patriotic event dressing in formal Highland attire would be proper. If on the other hand you do not have the proper outfit perhaps a tuxedo would be the way to go.

[fluter]

What I think I meant was more to the effect that if one might be suggested to bu unpatriotic in wearing a full kilt outfit to a patriotic event, would wearing anything else really be any better.

One could always wear a red, white, and blue tartan.

[JSFMACLJR]

What I think I meant was more to the effect that if one might be suggested to bu unpatriotic in wearing a full kilt outfit to a patriotic event, would wearing anything else really be any better.

Who said wearing the kilt by an American is unpatriotic? If you choose to wear a kilt to a "patriotic event" (whatever that may be) then that is your decision. Don't worry about it!