semi-formal, what did it cost me?

[MacMullen]

Sporran off of ebay white hair, "leather cantle" (riiight) , three chrome-topped tassels:
$35

That's a very dapper outfit, rivaling Sean Connery for coolness! And the price was right! I don't see where you couldn't go wearing an outfit like that. I agree, though, a green tie would go well with it. Or, perhaps a wool tie in matching tartan?

Is the X-Marks kilt pin still available anywhere, or did I miss out as a latecomer?

[GMan]

That's a very dapper outfit, rivaling Sean Connery for coolness! And the price was right! I don't see where you couldn't go wearing an outfit like that. I agree, though, a green tie would go well with it. Or, perhaps a wool tie in matching tartan?

Is the X-Marks kilt pin still available anywhere, or did I miss out as a latecomer?

Someones got a sharp eye! I guess I am at present memory challenged.

Check with Hank about the Xmark Kilt pin, he may have a few left.

[Hamish]

That's a very dapper outfit, rivaling Sean Connery for coolness! And the price was right! I don't see where you couldn't go wearing an outfit like that. I agree, though, a green tie would go well with it. Or, perhaps a wool tie in matching tartan?

Is the X-Marks kilt pin still available anywhere, or did I miss out as a latecomer?

I am sorry, Joel, but I could never describe Sir Sean as having "coolness", at least, not where his dress sense is concerned! He actually makes more faux pas with his Highland garb than any other celebrity I can think of - especially Scottish ones who should know better! The most memorable of his bloomers involve his ties: he is often seen wearing an ordinary coloured neck-tie, usually woollen, with his Prince Charlie. That is mixing an informal day wear item with Evening Dress - ugggggh! Still worse, and I apologise to you because you have just suggested this, that woollen tie has known to be in a tartan matching his kilt! Sorry, but that is something no well-dressed Scot would ever do, not even with a day-wear tweed jacket. We all know that there are no 'Rules' as such, but a tartan tie worn with a tartan kilt (even the identical tartan) just offends the eye - it looks terrible. With a tartan kilt and tweed jacket for day-wear, the tie should be woollen not silk, and its colour should ideally match one of the minor colours in the tartan of the kilt - in Alan's case, a dark (bottle) green woollen tie would be ideal.

Silk, or shiny, neck-ties can be worn with a tartan kilt, but these should be limited to plain grey or silver ones when coupled with black barathea Argyll or Crail jackets for wear at a day-time wedding.

Tartan ties do, indeed, have their place too but, in the kilt-wearing world, are most effective when worn with a plain coloured kilt. I frequently wear my clan tartan tie (Gunn) when wearing a black kilt, or with one of my TFCK kilt suits. I would never wear it with any of my Gunn tartan kilts.

You don't have to take my word for any of this, but if you doubt me, just try it for yourself and look closely at the results. It's a visual thing!

[MacMullen]

But, Sean is cool, you can't deny that. Some people can carry off a faux pas with aplomb. It's more about attitude than the way you're dressed or what you're doing. Look at Tom Sawyer - how did he convince all of those kids to help him paint the fence? Because he acted like it was the coolest thing you could do.

My comment wasn't on the proper or improper dress of Mr. Connery - it was on his coolness factor.

I think the same would apply with the tie. If you follow the rules religiously, and get a reputation for that, then you can start to take liberties with the old standards, because people will assume that you know what you're doing. Again, IMO it's attitude.

Now, having said all of that, I'm so new to kilts, I can only claim ignorance if I don't follow the rules. I'll have to try the tartan tie combo and see what happens. Of course, I'd have to acquire a tartan tie first...so I'll probably just take your word for it. :mrgreen:

[Alan H]

All I know is that I'm gonna put a plain, green wool tie on my Christmas list this year. It'll go well with the MacNaughton clan kilt as well, though I have a red silk (not very shiny, though) tie for that.

As for the hat, of course it's "not done" to wear a hat inside, but this reception was split between inside the Aquarium and outside on the deck overlooking the Bay, and I just happened to still have the hat on when the picture was taken. Oh, the hats tweed is not the same as the jackets, though you can't tell that from the picture.

[Hamish]

But, Sean is cool, you can't deny that.

Sorry, Joel, but I'm afraid I can deny that!

Look at Tom Sawyer - how did he convince all of those kids to help him paint the fence? Because he acted like it was the coolest thing you could do.

Sorry again! I know nothing about Tom Sawyer, or his kids or the fence!

My comment wasn't on the proper or improper dress of Mr. Connery - it was on his coolness factor.

I think the same would apply with the tie. If you follow the rules religiously, and get a reputation for that, then you can start to take liberties with the old standards, because people will assume that you know what you're doing. Again, IMO it's attitude.

Now, having said all of that, I'm so new to kilts, I can only claim ignorance if I don't follow the rules. I'll have to try the tartan tie combo and see what happens. Of course, I'd have to acquire a tartan tie first...so I'll probably just take your word for it. :mrgreen:

I think, Joel, we should agree that there are no rules. There are, however, guidelines and traditions when it comes to dressing formally in the kilt - and that is when I adhere to them. Those of us who wear the kilt daily, of necessity, have attitude - I have attitude (I absolutely have to, to get away with some of the things I wear in the ultra-conservative neighbourhood in which I live and of which I am a part!) - but I would never make as much a fool of myself as Sir Sean frequently does when in formal attire.

My apologies to Sir Sean and to his followers for appearing to pick on him but, he is supposedly an unofficial Ambassador for Scotland and, as such, should set a better example.

My apologies to Alan also, for hijacking his thread. Don't worry, Alan, I've had my say and will keep quiet from now on!

[MacMullen]

Sorry, Joel, but I'm afraid I can deny that!

My apologies to Sir Sean and to his followers for appearing to pick on him but, he is supposedly an unofficial Ambassador for Scotland and, as such, should set a better example.

Hamish, ignorance is bliss, then, I guess, as, like I said, I'm fairly new to the world of kilts. I'm sure that not everything that looks cool to me now will look cool to me a year from now.

My apologies also for contributing to the hijacking of the thread. The new jacket is cool, no matter who it reminds me of. 8-)

[HeathBar]

Well Alan...It seems that you've become the unofficial tailor for Xmarks. First your thread detailing your first hand-sewn kilt and now some directions for
making a kilt jacket from an ordinary sportcoat.
What's next on the list...sporans?
Your dedication to kilt wearing(and this board) is admirable.

[Alan H]

I'm working on a few web pages, including pics and stuff. I've got it about half done, should have it by, say Thursday or so...

[HeathBar]

Hey Alan,

That's a great looking semi-formal outfit. I really like the jacket you transformed. Do you have any tips for the do-it-yourselfer when altering
a jacket for kilt-wearing. You mentioned the dificulties of altering the lapels.
Would some styles of sportcoats be easier to alter?
Any tips would be helpful.