'Black tie' questions

[Alan H]

I love dredging up old threads. But if there is already a thread for the type of question, why start a new one? The question I have is as follows:
I have been looking for a pair of dark grey/ charcoal kilt hose for my formal attire. I have found some different places that sell them but one has embroidered rampant lions on them. As one who loves heraldry I automatically wanted to buy them, but then I thought about it and I'm not sure if they would be considered formal with the embroidery on the cuff. Any thoughts?

I wouldn't wear them, and I, personally would probably suggest to get a plain colored pair or some of the rather expensive alternatives discussed in this thread, like diced hose. However, that is ME, and if YOU want to wear black hose with something embroidered on them, then I say, go right ahead and do it. They're your legs, and I fail to see how wearing socks like that would be an egregious affront to anybody.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

A few words about David Lumsden of Cushnie, and his famous ACBW cards, would seem to be in order. For those who didn't know David, I should like to point out that he was a most genial gentlemen. At 6'4" tall, and a former athlete (played polo, rowed at Cambridge), to mention nothing of his time in Africa during the Mau Mau rebellion where he actively engaged the insurgents in the bush, David was more than capable of dealing with those he deemed offensive, especially if they became physical. I well remember a September evening in Edinburgh when David and I were waiting for a taxi and David was accosted by a thick set man in his thirties who obviously thought he was tougher than the 60+ year old Baron of Cushnie. Annoyed that Cushnie was ignoring him, the thug made the grave error of poking David in the chest with his finger. Fast as lightning David grabbed the man's arm, spun him around, dislocating the thug's shoulder, and rammed him face-first into the lamp post at the taxi rank. The confrontation was over in a few seconds...

If the recipient of one of David's ACBW cards asked of its meaning, David would, in the most jovial (and conspiratorial) manner gently explain why "white socks" weren't "the done thing". No one, at least as far as I'm aware, ever took offense at David's rather amusing "sock lectures", and if they had, I'm sure he would have been the first to apologize for having caused offense when he merely meant to tease.

I'm also quite sure that he'd have had no trouble putting down anyone who wanted to express their sense of indignation in a physical manner.

[creagdhubh]

A few words about David Lumsden of Cushnie, and his famous ACBW cards, would seem to be in order. For those who didn't know David, I should like to point out that he was a most genial gentlemen. At 6'4" tall, and a former athlete (played polo, rowed at Cambridge), to mention nothing of his time in Africa during the Mau Mau rebellion where he actively engaged the insurgents in the bush, David was more than capable of dealing with those he deemed offensive, especially if they became physical. I well remember a September evening in Edinburgh when David and I were waiting for a taxi and David was accosted by a thick set man in his thirties who obviously thought he was tougher than the 60+ year old Baron of Cushnie. Annoyed that Cushnie was ignoring him, the thug made the grave error of poking David in the chest with his finger. Fast as lightning David grabbed the man's arm, spun him around, dislocating the thug's shoulder, and rammed him face-first into the lamp post at the taxi rank. The confrontation was over in a few seconds...

If the recipient of one of David's ACBW cards asked of its meaning, David would, in the most jovial (and conspiratorial) manner gently explain why "white socks" weren't "the done thing". No one, at least as far as I'm aware, ever took offense at David's rather amusing "sock lectures", and if they had, I'm sure he would have been the first to apologize for having caused offense when he merely meant to tease.

I'm also quite sure that he'd have had no trouble putting down anyone who wanted to express their sense of indignation in a physical manner.

Thank you for sharing this, Scott!

Best wishes,

[macwilkin]

A few words about David Lumsden of Cushnie, and his famous ACBW cards, would seem to be in order. For those who didn't know David, I should like to point out that he was a most genial gentlemen. At 6'4" tall, and a former athlete (played polo, rowed at Cambridge), to mention nothing of his time in Africa during the Mau Mau rebellion where he actively engaged the insurgents in the bush, David was more than capable of dealing with those he deemed offensive, especially if they became physical. I well remember a September evening in Edinburgh when David and I were waiting for a taxi and David was accosted by a thick set man in his thirties who obviously thought he was tougher than the 60+ year old Baron of Cushnie. Annoyed that Cushnie was ignoring him, the thug made the grave error of poking David in the chest with his finger. Fast as lightning David grabbed the man's arm, spun him around, dislocating the thug's shoulder, and rammed him face-first into the lamp post at the taxi rank. The confrontation was over in a few seconds...

If the recipient of one of David's ACBW cards asked of its meaning, David would, in the most jovial (and conspiratorial) manner gently explain why "white socks" weren't "the done thing". No one, at least as far as I'm aware, ever took offense at David's rather amusing "sock lectures", and if they had, I'm sure he would have been the first to apologize for having caused offense when he merely meant to tease.

I'm also quite sure that he'd have had no trouble putting down anyone who wanted to express their sense of indignation in a physical manner.

I wonder if any of those cards are still around? I'd love to see one after hearing so much about them.

Lux Perpetua...

[TheOfficialBren]

I wonder if any of those cards are still around? I'd love to see one after hearing so much about them.

Lux Perpetua...

***

His cards are legendary.

[Alan H]

Legendary they may be, and also, the height of arrogant, self-righteous gall. If they were intended as a joke, then I suppose my judgement call might be softened somewhat. My sense from this discussion is that they were not intended as a joke, but rather were intended as "education", which of course means the the man in question felt that he was the Grand Authority on what is right and what is wrong.

If I were to ask his opinion, and did not hear what I particularly wanted to hear, then that's fine. For him to walk up to me or anyone else, unasked, and present such a card smacks of arrogant hubris, in my opinion, and speaks volumes about the man whom you all apparently venerate.

As to his martial prowess, I have no idea, I never met the man, and it has no bearing on his action of apparently willy-nilly handing out these tactless cards of which you all seem so fond.

The man is entitled to wear whatever socks he wants. He's also entitled to have his opinion on what colors he likes. He's entitled to think me, or anybody else, an ignorant boor, because Dear God, I'm wearing the wrong color of socks. However, he's NOT entitled to walk up to me, or anybody else, unasked and rudely offer his opinion. Or rather, I suppose he can do that, if he wishes. In that case, he's entitled to listen to or experience the reaction of those to whom he has been insufferably rude. He may in fact have been a wonderful person, and the nicest fellow imaginable, but this action of handing out these cards strikes me as.....insufferably rude.

Enough. I have the remote in my hand, I've expressed my opinion of the mans actions. Time to change the channel.

[Phil]

At 6'4" tall, and a former athlete (played polo, rowed at Cambridge), to mention nothing of his time in Africa during the Mau Mau rebellion where he actively engaged the insurgents in the bush, David was more than capable of dealing with those he deemed offensive, especially if they became physical.

I am not sure that this colonial episode was one of our finest moments - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20543140 - or - http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...british-empire - none of which tends to endear one to the individuals concerned.

[Lyle1]

Legendary they may be, and also, the height of arrogant, self-righteous gall. If they were intended as a joke, then I suppose my judgement call might be softened somewhat. My sense from this discussion is that they were not intended as a joke, but rather were intended as "education", which of course means the the man in question felt that he was the Grand Authority on what is right and what is wrong.

If I were to ask his opinion, and did not hear what I particularly wanted to hear, then that's fine. For him to walk up to me or anyone else, unasked, and present such a card smacks of arrogant hubris, in my opinion, and speaks volumes about the man whom you all apparently venerate.

As to his martial prowess, I have no idea, I never met the man, and it has no bearing on his action of apparently willy-nilly handing out these tactless cards of which you all seem so fond.

The man is entitled to wear whatever socks he wants. He's also entitled to have his opinion on what colors he likes. He's entitled to think me, or anybody else, an ignorant boor, because Dear God, I'm wearing the wrong color of socks. However, he's NOT entitled to walk up to me, or anybody else, unasked and rudely offer his opinion. Or rather, I suppose he can do that, if he wishes. In that case, he's entitled to listen to or experience the reaction of those to whom he has been insufferably rude. He may in fact have been a wonderful person, and the nicest fellow imaginable, but this action of handing out these cards strikes me as.....insufferably rude.

Enough. I have the remote in my hand, I've expressed my opinion of the mans actions. Time to change the channel.

Very well stated. It strikes me as odd that so many people who are so concerned with how a gentleman acts and dresses would so admire Mr. Lumsden's behavior.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Very well stated. It strikes me as odd that so many people who are so concerned with how a gentleman acts and dresses would so admire Mr. Lumsden's behavior.

Not nearly as odd as the comments made by those who (a) never met David Lumsden, and (b) have no idea at all as to how he behaved. If you had spent any time with him, I'm sure you would have come away with a sense of admiration, having met a true Scottish gentleman.

[Lyle1]

Not nearly as odd as the comments made by those who (a) never met David Lumsden, and (b) have no idea at all as to how he behaved. If you had spent any time with him, I'm sure you would have come away with a sense of admiration, having met a true Scottish gentleman.

I was only responding to the accounts that you gave of his behavior! Had I met a man acting in the manner you described, I would not have come away with a favorable impression. There might be much about the man and his accomplishments that would command respect and admiration, but your description of his actions was less than favorable. And, actually, I have met a few Scottish gentlemen; they might not have been as notable as Mr. Lumsden, but they knew how to conduct themselves in public.