Outfit help please

[HeathBar]

So, the questions are; What color hose should I use? Should I get traditional brogues or a fancy/formal sporran with a silver cantle? Or both? What else am I missing?

Is this the kind of jacket that needs a vest? If so, I would get that first. If you get a sporran with a silver/chrome cantle, your buckle should also match. But if you wear a vest, then you don't need a belt, so forget about the buckle. Off-white hose are fine, and wingtips are fine too.

Post a pic of what you have. Really if anyone wants someone from the forum to give their opinion on their outfit, you really ought to show us a picture of what it looks like. My mental picture of your outfit, might be different than someone elses. And you might end up with confusing opinions. Compare it to walking up to a blind person, describing your outfit and asking "how do I look?". I'm not trying to jump on anyone here, but help us to help you.

[Panache]

... I haven't got a decent jacket which is cut for a kilt, so I was trying to avoid any outfit which requires a jacket. The jacket, however, is a good look, and appropriate for the situation, so I will look into either buying or renting one.

There are a number of threads on X marks about modifying a sportcoat (either DIY or having a tailor doing it). If you find the right deal on a coat (think Clearance racks or thrift shops) you can have one for under a $100.

Be careful about too many pieces of the same tartan (flashes, kilt, tie, and hat). You run the risk of "Brigadoonery". I think that a kilted outfit can get away with just two. So my rule is you can have a matching tartan cap, OR flashes, OR a tie to go with your kit. BUT JUST ONE! This is just my opinion. If you have or are going to get matching flashes, then I would pick out the least prominent stripe in the kilt and go with that color for the tie (to bring it out.)

Whatever you decide, make sure to post a picture!

Cheers

[motorman4life]

I have heard here and elsewhere that it is a no-no to wear a matching tartan tie with a kilt. Maybe someone else can enlighten us, because I think it looks just fine. I agree with Panache, it can be taken too far pretty quickly. Hat, tie, kilt, flashes.. garish, at best.

[Colin]

Depending on the formality, why not try the kilts, hose and flashes, a regular dress shirt and tie (plain colour), and maybe a waistcoat or even a sweater vest (plain colour). I wore somthing similar to a whisky tasting last Friday (no tie) and it was a good mix between casual and semi-formal.

This black one would work really well http://www.menswearhouse.com/menswea...=1164143347835 as would this charcoal one http://www.menswearhouse.com/menswea...=1164143347839

[flairball]

I like those sweaters. I may have to get one. I agree about there being a limit on the amount of tartan one can wear too. I probably wouldn't wear a tartan tie if I was wearing tartan flashes. Right now I'm thinking my best opion is to wear a white shirt, as suggested, with a plain tie, as suggested, and a wool herringbone vest.