1st Highland Dress I feel proud of...critique?

**Domehead** · 6th December 12, 06:51 PM

Just a follow up:
This is what I wore to the Advent Kirkin o' the Tartan / St. Andrew's Day Luncheon. I enjoy this "kit" and believe it is a finished outfit...
other than a better knot for my neck tie. Criticism welcomed and thanks again, to the rabble.

**Woot22** · 6th December 12, 06:56 PM

That's how it is done bro, looks awesome!!!

**pbutts** · 6th December 12, 08:14 PM

Both looks are great, but the waistcoat, tie and hose in the second make everything pop. I'm not sure which piece I'm drooling over more-- the jacket or the waistcoat?

**Tobus** · 7th December 12, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Domehead

Just a follow up:
This is what I wore to the Advent Kirkin o' the Tartan / St. Andrew's Day Luncheon. I enjoy this "kit" and believe it is a finished outfit...
other than a better knot for my neck tie. Criticism welcomed and thanks again, to the rabble.

Wow, that's a bold choice on the hose!

That would be way too loud for me, but each to his own. Red and yellow together always remind me of Ronald McDonald (I know, I know, it's social programming). Say, you're not a MacDonald, are you?

As for being a finished outfit, I have to ask: no pocket watch? A nice pocket watch chain is like the cherry on top!

**Jock Scot** · 7th December 12, 10:20 AM

At first glance the "follow up" outfit looks very smart, but there is a "something" that I really cannot put my finger on what causes me to pause. Yes the tie knot needs attention, I like the tie though, humm maybe the jacket just overloads the total blue of the outfit, hummm maybe the waistcoat-----and very nice it is----just does not gell, maybe black shoes might be better in this case. I honestly cannot put my finger on it, but you are very well turned out nevertheless and when all said and done, it is your choice.

**Domehead** · 7th December 12, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Wow, that's a bold choice on the hose!

That would be way too loud for me, but each to his own. Red and yellow together always remind me of Ronald McDonald (I know, I know, it's social programming). Say, you're not a MacDonald, are you?

As for being a finished outfit, I have to ask: no pocket watch? A nice pocket watch chain is like the cherry on top!

Initially, thanks everyone, for the comments. I do take in all of the observations.

Re: Tobus...
It's funny you mention the pocket watch. Currently, that spot is reserved. My father has my Granda's pocket watch - still functional. My father doesn't "kilt" because of his rotund center, but he does wear tartan waist coats & that pocket watch.

He's already passed on the sgian-dubh my Grandma gave to him (that was my right-of-passage into all of this). I'm not going to bite the gift-horse. But, my mother thinks he's going to let me use the pocket-watch for the Robert Burns Supper in January. We'll see.

Re: Jock Scot...
I wonder if it needs a pocket square? I've been kicking around the idea of functional, traditional pocket squares. Say, white with a white shirt, light blue with a Columbia Blue shirt. Nothing flashy or showy. Just something to break up the pallet. Maybe?

**Jock Scot** · 7th December 12, 11:25 AM

Domehead.

Some like pocket squares, some don't, its up to you.

Do you know your outfit bothers me-----in a technical sort of way-----but for the life of me I cannot work out why! In my "Jock" sort of way if I see a kilt outfit and it registers-------it applies to guns, rifles, fishing tackle, pretty women(I am married!) too------ and if the outfit does not require any more than a brief admiring glance then it has passed the test. If a second look is required, I try to work out what has caught my eye, sometimes that is not so good and sometimes, its something that I might use for myself in the future. Your outfit has caused me to look more than thrice!

**Lime** · 7th December 12, 11:53 AM

Domehead.

Some like pocket squares, some don't, its up to you.

Do you know your outfit bothers me-----in a technical sort of way-----but for the life of me I cannot work out why! In my "Jock" sort of way if I see a kilt outfit and it registers-------it applies to guns, rifles, fishing tackle, pretty women(I am married!) too------ and if the outfit does not require any more than a brief admiring glance then it has passed the test. If a second look is required, I try to work out what has caught my eye, sometimes that is not so good and sometimes, its something that I might use for myself in the future. Your outfit has caused me to look more than thrice!

I wonder if it is that the check on the waistcoat is a similar size to the sett of the tartan? Sometimes different patterns of a similar size can look odd.

By the way Domehead it is very sporting of you to offer yourself for critique... I wouldn't dare!

**Domehead** · 7th December 12, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Lime

By the way Domehead it is very sporting of you to offer yourself for critique... I wouldn't dare!

No problem. That's how we learn. And, like everyone says, I have to wear what I feel comfortable in.

This is essentially what I wear when traditional Daywear is most appropriate, but I know attendees will be wearing PC's and the like. That is not to say they are wrong. This particular society (to which I now belong) that sponsored this event was appx 70% Ex-pats attendees - some as recently as 7 years ago (the new President, a Royal Air Force Retiree & exceptional Country Dancer).

To a man, they were in PC / 3-button waist-coat, fur-sporran but Regimental neck tie - some, actual Regiments. One Senior gentelman was sporting his Mackenzie Trews, with much respect as he was clearly of WWII vintage. Prior, when I inquired about the event level, I was informed by the society Daywear was more than acceptable. So, my goal with this "kit" was to use the contrasting Haggart's waist coat, country hose, co-ordinated tie, cantled sporran and chrome-plated blanket pin to "tick" just a notch above conventional Daywear.

This, as opposed to my Wife's Christmas Event for their Company. Very posh club, but the attendees will not wear neck wear or jackets. They will wear chic shirts, slacks and co-ordinated belts and loafers. I traditionally wear my Robertson Red (just loud enough) with solid hose, the Haggart's jacket and vest, Donnie @ Wyvern's sporran (all leather) and a co-oridinated but subtler regimental tie. This is one of my other outfits. It truely is traditional Daywear, but among our jacket & tieless elite hosts, it fits right in. They see it as "Old man casual", while they are Continental Euro Chic. It's cool.

I respect what Tobus and Jock are able to do with accessorizing. I'm just not there yet. So, I put together "kits" that I can not think about. I know they work, at least for me. I concentrate more on the appropriate level of dress, so as not to gild the lily.

**MacLowlife** · 12th December 12, 08:57 AM

I think the easiest way to "work" a pocket square is to use one that is likely to be used- at least to clean your glasses, if not to actually wipe your eyes-nose-face. For me, that means a white cotton or linen one. I have seen plenty of good, honest working handkerchiefs that are colorful, though.

Many men believe they are not quite dressed / out of uniform without a handkerchief. The simplest place to carry it is in that breast pocket, especially in a kilt. I think the simple pull-and-fold method is the least trouble. Can we take a detour and discuss handkerchiefs further?