Review My Attire (Black Tie)

[M. A. C. Newsome]

A couple of points.

1) You look great as is, so there is really no need to change anything unless you just want to.

2) Regarding the choice of the Argyle jacket over the Prince Charlie, you can read a variety of opinions posted here already, from applause that you chose to wear one for a black tie event, to criticism that "three button waistcoats" or "diced hose" should only be worn with a PC. These are only opinions, of course, but please understand that it is perfectly correct to wear a black Argyle jacket to a black tie affair, and that includes a three-button waistcoat and diced hose if you so choose.

3) I agree that diced or Argyle hose would be a step-up for formal wear, but there is nothing wrong with solid hose in lieu of those. I disagree that Argyle-topped hose would be another option. I'm a big fan of patterned cuffs on hose for day wear, but I cannot recall ever seeing them worn traditionally with evening wear. So I would stick with solid if you cannot get the full Argyle or diced.

4) Some have suggested red hose to pull out the red stripe in the tartan. I would agree -- if there were a red stripe in the tartan! The Baird tartan does have a purple stripe in it, so maybe purple hose would be an option, but if you want to be conservative the navy blue or bottle green would be a safe choice. (I have visions in my head of navy and purple diced hose....)

5) Lastly, many have suggested wearing the kilt pin lower. This is because today, the kilt pin is typically worn very low on the kilt. However, traditionally, the kilt pin has been worn higher. I started wearing mine higher up, about the level you have yours, after noticing photos from the 40s and 50s where men typically wore theirs higher. So where you have yours is very traditional, and I wouldn't worry about moving it at all.

[artificer]

4) Some have suggested red hose to pull out the red stripe in the tartan. I would agree -- if there were a red stripe in the tartan! The Baird tartan does have a purple stripe in it, so maybe purple hose would be an option, but if you want to be conservative the navy blue or bottle green would be a safe choice. (I have visions in my head of navy and purple diced hose....)

5) Lastly, many have suggested wearing the kilt pin lower. This is because today, the kilt pin is typically worn very low on the kilt. However, traditionally, the kilt pin has been worn higher. I started wearing mine higher up, about the level you have yours, after noticing photos from the 40s and 50s where men typically wore theirs higher. So where you have yours is very traditional, and I wouldn't worry about moving it at all.

Thanks Matt!
Regarding the red stripe, I was wondering if people were thinking of the original records of the the Baird tartan, (Source WR273: Highland Society of London Date: c.1906.) which does have a red stripe. As for purple hose to help bring out the stripe, I'm just not quite there yet.

As to the kilt pin, when in doubt I usually take my cues from-


He's yet to steer me wrong
ith:

[piperdbh]

4) Some have suggested red hose to pull out the red stripe in the tartan. I would agree -- if there were a red stripe in the tartan! The Baird tartan does have a purple stripe in it, so maybe purple hose would be an option, ...

To my poor old eyes and on my monitor, the stripe looks red, thus the recommendation for red. I'd like to see purple hose, too!

[longhuntr74]

It's the look that I aspire for...I'd like a regulation doublet someday...but the Argyll Jacket is MUCH more versatile...so that will be the first purchase. I think I'd recommend green or red hose...my preference would be Argyll (#1) or Diced (#2)...but you already shared your thoughts and reasoning...and I respect that.

All that being said...you could definitely go dressed as is and you'd be one of the best dressed men in the room hands down. Well done!!