Wedding Attire

[Jack Daw]

Howdy all,

I've got a couple of weddings to attend in my future, and I was wondering. How hard is it to dress up at belted plaid?

I want to go semi-rustic, so I look different, but not so I look like I just walked out of a Jacobite Rebellion battle. I was thinking the BP, a vest/waistcoat, a rustic, Jacobite style shirt, bonnet, and nice hose with either low cut mocs or ghillies.

Any opinions? Thanks in advance.

~Yeti

I've seen a gentleman wear the great kilt with semi-formal attire - pc, coatee, ghillie brogues, etc. It worked fine. That's how I would wear a GK to a wedding.

[McMurdo]

I borrowed this photo from MacWages this is the type of look I think of when I think about dressing up a Belted Plaid.



Of course Matt's Traditional Plaid was very well put together

[Brian F]

I was hoping to go more like Matt's photo, either by rolling the front of the belted plaid up, or whatever other configuration I could come up with to achieve what is, in my opinion, a cleaner look than having the fabric in the front.

[berserkbishop]

I'm not wanting to pull out the BP to show off how Scottish I am. I was just looking back over Matt N's blog and saw the article on the dress plaid he had. Now that's a PLAID!

While I don't have much spare cash these days, I thought maybe I could dress up the BP enough to pull off something much similar to what Matt is wearing in that article.

Also, the brides expect me to be kilted, and I've told them I would not be offended to be asked to not wear a kilt, but that they should assume I'd be there kilted unless they said anything.

Do you not own a tailored kilt? In the end you will do what you want, and thats fine. It takes all types to make the world go around. I was merely making a suggestion based on my own experience. I sincerely apologize that my post was so. . . brash?

BB

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I want to go semi-rustic, so I look different, but not so I look like I just walked out of a Jacobite Rebellion battle. I was thinking the BP, a vest/waistcoat, a rustic, Jacobite style shirt, bonnet, and nice hose with either low cut mocs or ghillies.

Any opinions?

Yes. RUSTIC (adj.): 1- Of, relating to, or typical of country life. 2-Not sophisticated:SIMPLE. 3. Made of rough tree branches. ALSO (-n.) 1. A rural person. 2. A course, rude or simple person.

Unless this is a "rustic" wedding (and I'd pay money to see a bride in a wedding gown made out of rough tree branches), I'd suggest dressing in a more appropriate style. The belted plaid outfit will tend to look costumey, and may cause others to regard you as a rustic. In this instance, a white shirt and tie worn with the kilt is about as "casual" as you'd want to go-- and really, it would be more appropriate to wear a jacket as well.

[SFCRick]

I have been to several weddings kilted. Usually I go with a nice shirt, argyle jacket, a solid tie, my best kilt, some matching hose and a regular pair of wingtips (brogues). I also have asked the brides if they minded me coming in a kilt. NEVER ANGER A BRIDE ON THEIR WEDDING DAY BY SPRINGING A KILT ON THEM. I think the belted plaid will be more of a distraction. You are there for the bride and groom after all, not to show off how Scottish you are. This isint meant to offend, just my personal opinion.

BB

I whole heartedly agree, ask the bride if you may sport The Kilt. Even my own Niece asked me not to at hers, she said she loves everyone in the family when they wear their kilts, just that she felt it would overshadow her dress on her day. No problem, just wore a regular Tux.

[PiobBear]

Since the wedding party will be wearing tuxedos/gowns I opted to go without a PC jacket since the wedding is outdoors and it is going to be a warm day.

How many other gentlemen in the wedding party are going in shirt sleeves?

Leaving off the coat is not formal. I wore an Argyll yesterday; I'll be wearing one today, tomorrow, and Monday...in Florida in August. Would I prefer a Hawaiian shirt & flip-flops? Sure, from a comfort standpoint, but as a gentleman I'd never show up undressed for a wedding or funeral; especially my daughter's.

[Brian F]

Well, I think I'm gonna shy away from the BP. I talked to a member of the wedding party, he said that the reception is at a pretty "pinky-up" place (as my brother would describe). So I'm getting a custom vest made (in exchange for a few knitted items) and if I can scrounge some money I'm gonna' try to get either a new kilt (with a plaid) or pick up a plaid for my Irish National kilt.

In the meantime, thank you all again for your opinions and input. If I don't appreciate them, I will simply replace them with my own.

~Yeti

[kypnkilt]

How many other gentlemen in the wedding party are going in shirt sleeves?

Leaving off the coat is not formal. I wore an Argyll yesterday; I'll be wearing one today, tomorrow, and Monday...in Florida in August. Would I prefer a Hawaiian shirt & flip-flops? Sure, from a comfort standpoint, but as a gentleman I'd never show up undressed for a wedding or funeral; especially my daughter's.

I agree and disagree with this point. Granted, formal is formal. I already discussed this with the bride and she has no problem. I will be the only one there kilted. Those of us who are NOT acclimated to warm/humid weather as we are in Pacific Northwest tend to adapt as best we can. If I had an Argyle jacket, I'd wear it for the ceremony. I am not walking her down the aisle (her brother is), if I were....then a PC would be prudent; I agree there. I do in fact have a fly plaid and a Piper Plaid. I would not consider wearing a pipers plaid at a wedding at all. Fly plaid yes, PB....no. Being a piper as well, I do in fact wear a PB on occasion, but not often.

I will not be undressed at this wedding as you put it, however, it will be different. Besides this ceremony is the second one. She has been married to this groom a year. She had to wait a year for the actual ceremony which I did give her away and was not kilted but wearing my work pants and shirt. Weird? Yes. I may be commiting a faux pas here, but I would consider it minor since the bride does not mind. I have already put on what I will be wearing to show her and she thought it very, very nice.

[Brian F]

Is there a specific style of vest I should get? Or will any vest cut for a kilt work?