Quote Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown View Post
The other thing to consider is how you will be seen (and perceived) by others. If you are a fairly wealthy Scottish aristocrat (or a famous rap star) you can probably pull it off. On the other hand, if you aren't a member of the landed/stranded gentry, most folks will think you are rather jumped up with your gold plated gewgaws.

There are a lot of things you can do to customize your coatee without causing folks to arch an eyebrow; Ted's suggestion of custom buttons being the easiest way to achieve a distinctive look.
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Rathdown is quite right. Gold buttons would be "too much", I believe, and you most likely would be perceived as some sort of nouveau. Granted, some old chaps have gold buttons which have been in the family for generations, but most of the Highland grandees of my ken stick with silver.