Black tie question

[Nighthawk]

I am officiating a wedding in June, and it is black tie formal. They want all the finery possible- including me, much to my protest, as I like to be understated- and I was wondering if a tartan waist coat to match my kilt would be appropriate? All the men will be in coat tails, and I will be the only kilted person there. It's odd enough that I'm at a little bit of a loss. Normally the most formal I would go is kilt and Argyle, and most of the time, not even that! Just kilt and black waist coat are my usual. So- thoughts on tartan waistcoats?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The short answer is-- YES! Whether you are wearing a 5/6 button waistcoat with a four-in-hand tie, or a formal 3/4 button waistcoat with a black bow tie, a tartan waistcoat is perfectly acceptable at formal events.

[chasem]

I prefer tartan waistcoats cut on the bias if they're going to be worn with a kilt in the tartan. Breaks it up a bit, in my mind. But yeah, perfectly acceptable.

[Jock Scot]

Wear your black silver buttoned argyll, tartan waistcoat( if you wish), white shirt, polished shoes ,four in hand tie and then you will be wearing the highland kilt equivelant of the other men's attire-----tails.

[Phil]

Here is a photo I posted elsewhere showing an Argyle with a tartan waistcoat to give you an idea what it would look like.

A doublet like this is OK for a daytime wedding if you want to be a bit dressier

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Oh, that versitile Argyle!

I think you should be well set for a black tie function with a black Argyle jacket. With a black waistcoat or a tartan waistcoat, you can easily "dress up" a black Argyle jacket to wear to a black tie function.

As photo examples are always helpful, here I am with a black Argyle and matching black waistcoat.


And here is the same jacket worn with tartan waistcoat.


In both cases I am wearing a black silk cravat, but both looks would also work with a black bow tie, or even a four-in-hand tie.

What kind of sporran and hose were you considering?

[MacLowlife]

Since you won't "MATCH" anyone else, you will probably be fine with whatever you choose. I may be wrong, but since you said coat tails, the men may well be in WHITE tie, in which case, I would suggest that you bring out your full artillery.

On the other hand, you like to be understated, so your usual armament may need a little boost. I like MoR's suggestion of a 3 button waistcoat, though I suspect your tartan one is more likely to be of the 5 button variety. Would you consider a jabot?

If you are the only one in highland dress, most people will have difficulty sorting out what is formal, what is kilt, and what is wedding officiant. Someone will undoubtedly want to know the ecclesiastical significance of the color of your flashes.

Thinking just a little more, and trying to balance the full on formality with your low key role and approach, if you won't go with the jabot, maybe the best idea is a solid black four-in-hand tie and a regular collar. Keep us posted.

[Jock Scot]

It is not usual to wear evening(dress) wear to a wedding. It is quite normal to wear the morning suit which is the usual formal(dress) day wear(four in hand tie or cravat is worn) attire for a wedding. Whilst the coat for evening wear "white tie" does indeed have tails it should not be confused with the appropriate day dress wedding attire, the morning suit, which also has tails. The "cut" of the jackets with the tails are completely different. Be careful, a potential major faux pas is lurking!

[Lyle1]

It is not usual to wear evening(dress) wear to a wedding. It is quite normal to wear the morning suit which is the usual formal(dress) day wear(four in hand tie or cravat is worn) attire for a wedding. Whilst the coat for evening wear "white tie" does indeed have tails it should not be confused with the appropriate day dress wedding attire, the morning suit, which also has tails. The "cut" of the jackets with the tails are completely different. Be careful, a potential major faux pas is lurking!

Good advice for Scotland, but remember, the OP lives in the U.S. In many parts of this country, weddings are more likely to be held in the evening, than during the day.

[Jock Scot]

Good advice for Scotland, but remember, the OP lives in the U.S. In many parts of this country, weddings are more likely to be held in the evening, than during the day.

I had realised where the wedding was taking place, but I had not appreciated that the white tie and full evening dress was worn to weddings over there.