Since I'm not a man of international intrigue, I will most likely never go to a true white tie event. That being said, I think that, in today's fashion, there is more wiggle room in black tie dress than there was say, 50 years ago.

As far as "blending in" is concerned, let's think about this. Unless it's a completely Scottish affair (rare here in the states, especially in Washington), you aren't going to "blend in" with a kilt on. Don't delude yourself, people are going to notice the pleats, that's what they're there for.

I don't agree that you shouldn't be noticed for your clothing. Maybe it's my vanity, maybe I'm just smooth and good looking. I could always wear the normal, black tie, white shirt, generic tux; or I could add some slight touches and make a couple of choices to really make my black tie outfit my own.

For instance, when I'm being held down by the pants-man, my tux is double breasted. I wear it with a black shirt with hidden buttons, and an off white tie and waistcoat. I don't care what anybody says, it's truly stunning, and some serious clothing snobs have given me my props when in this attire at a black tie event with a bunch of penguins.

So let us take this into account with a kilt. Go ahead, throw away that white shirt if you don't like it. Do you have a color in your tartan that needs to be emphasized? Maybe your tartan has black stripes in it, try a black shirt. Experiment with tie color. It's clothing, go ahead and make a statement. I promise, if you wear a not-white shirt with a kilt to a black tie event, nobody is going to mock you for your shirt. They are going to envy you for the way a kilt looks on a confident man who knows how to dress. By the way, a black shirt under a black waistcoat makes women weak in the knees! I kid you not.

And as far a brouges are concerned, maybe it's true that they aren't for white tie events, but I've worn them and seen them worn at black tie evens often. Of course you'd wear brouges, they're a Scottish dress shoe!

Just my two cents, not trying to ruffle feathers, just putting out some options based on personal experience.