Over doing it

[Manxstralian]

Definitely the doublet! You're the entertainment, so it's ok to stand out from the crowd.

[Nathan]

I would wear the doublet with a black bow tie and turn-down collar. Given the photographs, I would also wear hose that breaks with the apparent convention at this event!

I notice the UK folks place a lot more emphasis on turned down versus wing collared shirts than Canadians. It was my intention to wear a turn down collar in either case though.
Regarding hose, I'll be wearing diced hose and buckled brogues but I just combed through the photos and could only find one pair of hose on one of the guys carrying the Haggis in 2012. What am I missing?

Nathan, I have a black velvet Balmoral as well, in the event I feel a bit overdressed I just unbutton the top two buttons as this seems to lessen the formality of the Balmoral but I doubt I'd worry. I first noticed John Macleod of Macleod, the late Chief, doing this when he wore his and it seemed to work well to "soften" the look. You can get a look at a photo of him here.
http://www.clan-macleod-scotland.org.uk/tartans

Interesting point about unbuttoning. I never considered the MacLeod's doublet to be a Balmoral because it has no tashes/Inverness flaps. I always thought of it more as a GT or custom single breasted Montrose. Nomenclature aside, I have always loved his doublet. In fact, it's what inspired me to get this one:

Definitely the doublet! You're the entertainment, so it's ok to stand out from the crowd.

Nope. I'll just be a newbee with no date . I'll be the entertainment the next night at the pub, but I certainly won't be wearing my doublet then. For that night, an Argyll to start and probably just my waistcoat after playing a set or two.
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So far, there are a lot of pro-Doublet folks weighing in with maybe one vote from ASinclair to have a scarlet waistcoat made. ;)

Thanks everyone for your feedback so far! I'm surprised to see it so one-sided considering how casual the ladies are dressed and how much it was stressed to me that the doublet was too much by the local Highland outfitter who attends this supper annually.

I'm finding your replies to be most interesting! keep em coming! Anyone from the PC camp?

[Carlo]

One question: Does the local Highland outfitter sell doublets?

[Grizzly]

Nathan, I suspect that you may have seen this website before -

http://www.blacktieguide.com/Supplemental/Scottish.htm

It gives a good bench mark of what should be worn for less and more formal occasions, obviously it's up to you what you wear but some may see a doublet at a less formal evening as somewhat "gilding the Lilly".

However, we are constantly reminded that Highland Dress is a free dress and that no-one can tell you what to wear, however whether you should or not is completely up to you.

Have a great time whatever you decide. I am sure you will look great.

[Cygnus]

Versatility, in my opinion, is the beauty of the Balmoral doublet and puts it above similar doublets like the Montrose. It can be worn with a turn-down collar and black bow tie and fit in (with a pit more pizazz) with coatees, while it can also be worn with a jabot or even a wing collar and white bow tie for more formal affairs. I was torn between a regulation doublet and a Balmoral doublet when ordering a formal kilt jacket and opted for the former simply because my waist tends to fluctuate a bit and the regulation doublet is more forgiving than a closed doublet.

So, like many here, I say wear the doublet!

[CMcG]

There's doublets and then there's doublets.

Your Balmoral, Nathan, is of the less ostentatious variety and effectively straddles different levels of formality. It is good ol' barathea, instead of velvet or silk; has a solid, subdued colour; and doesn't have lace cuffs sewn permanently into it, all of which combine to give you more wiggle room to dress it up or down for the event.

Has the Highland outfitter you wrote about actually seen your doublet? Speaking of Highland outfitters, have you read what Highland Clans has to say about the Balmoral? They are one of the few -- if not the only -- people who sell this style of doublet:

"The Balmoral Kilt Doublet is suitable for formal evening events, both black tie and white tie. It is traditionally made from Velvet, but is now also made in Barathea Wool.

...It is usually worn with a belt, and black bow tie (as shown but these items are not included).



...It can be worn less formally unbuttoned - in this case the belt would be worn round the kilt (under the jacket)."*

* my bold

Maybe give that a try and see how you like the look.

[Downunder Kilt]

My vote is for the doublet. There are those there that have upped the ante by wearing jabots, so presenting oneself in a doublet is not, to my mind, going over the top. I believe you have the confidence to wear it, as illustrated on other occasions, so go for it.

[Nathan]

Nathan, I suspect that you may have seen this website before -

http://www.blacktieguide.com/Supplemental/Scottish.htm

It gives a good bench mark of what should be worn for less and more formal occasions, obviously it's up to you what you wear but some may see a doublet at a less formal evening as somewhat "gilding the Lilly".

This was my instinct as well and that's what prompted the thread. This was the discussion I was hoping to have. Should we be concerned with "gilding the lilly" or "overdoing it" and, if so, how do we avoid doing so? Considering that the women are not even in cocktail dresses let alone gowns, a white tie equivalent may be a bit too much to me but the responses here lean otherwise.

I'm not trying to decide which look I like the best, but rather which would be the best choice for the occasion. Whatever choice I make, I'll wear it with confidence and pride but what's the point of having a community like this if not to ask and learn?

Grizzly, the Balmoral doublet is not mentioned in that very well written black tie guide but I had pretty much considered the Balmoral to be the equivalent of a Kenmore. Colin makes a good point though about the lay down collar possibly making it a less formal option than the "jabot" doublets. The fact that it's in barathea helps as well.

MacCathmhaoil made a fun point about the Black Argyll, which I had considered wearing as well but I'd be tempted to wear my tartan waistcoat with it, which is five button and therefore not ideal to be worn with a black bow tie. In fairness, I wasn't insisting I don't need it, I was just asking when it would be the perfect choice. To my mind, for this occasion, the PC would edge it out by a hair since the short waistcoat was made to go with it. Either would serve perfectly well though with a 3 button waistcoat.

Lots of food for thought. Gilding the lilly isn't something we discuss a lot. We compete to stand out in the crowd, though sometimes etiquette is about blending in. I certainly greatly prefer the doublet and it would have been perfect for the St. Andrew's Ball, but for this, I'm still undecided. I love that I have xmarks to bounce the decision off though. Marvellous input so far, gents.

[Grizzly]

Nathan, that was exactly the point I was trying to make, I know I am in the minority and that may well be more to do with reserved British attitudes, but to me on this occasion a doublet of any kind is going over the top, yes it's a lovely jacket and you wear it exceedingly well, but if you wore it over on this side of the pond to a less formal event then I suggest there would be a few raised eyebrows and thoughts that you were trying too hard. Sometimes less is more..

[Spartan Tartan]

There is clearly a difference (I finally went and looked at the pictures from previous years) between what is expected of the men and the women at this event. Without a doubt, the men are dressed in black tie and for some reason the women are almost casual in some cases, but certainly not "black tie" level.

That being the case, I would not consider what the ladies will be wearing--they already "do not agree" with the men. This does pose a challenge to navigate the proper outfit...perhaps.

When I compare your own picture, Nathan, of you wearing the doublet with a black bow tie, I see it as more of a variation to the PC instead of a whole classification of difference. I would agree anything with lace might be over the top, but in this case, I still believe the doublet is appropriate. In fact, it might be greatly appreciated by several of the men to see something different. Most definitely it is likely to spark some excellent conversation.

I can not help but think that the gentleman advising you is INVESTED in your outfit (to some extent). If he is a sales person that rents a lot of gear, he wants everyone to look the same so he can rent them their outfits with what he has in stock! Perhaps he sees your wearing something different it as a threat to his business? I know that sounds a tad absurd, but I'm just trying to understand why someone would discourage an otherwise appropriate jacket to the event.

I DO think that a black argyle with tartan waistcoat would be FANTASTIC for this event. Far more conservative than the doublet (maybe) and closer in keeping with what appears to be the trend at this event, but personalized enough to avoid the cookie cutter look.

Whatever you decide, I am sure you will look great. I will be watching this thread to see what you ultimately decide and enjoy the discussion as well.