Wedding Wear

**Paul** · 23rd February 10, 05:23 PM

Well I had the same problem when I was preparing for my cousins wedding around 5 months ago. I went for a semi-traditional look with a lower-cut tweed jacket and waistcoat than an Argyll, silk tie to match the green in my kilt and tartan hose-tops, instead of solid or full tartan hose. I'd only replace the ghillie brogues with standard brogues, as I really liked the outfit and it really seems different to the "regular/standard" kilt package, as I suited it to myself. If you want to stand out a bit (although - like me you may already, being the only one kilted!) then go for something a little different, although, stick to the basics and build it up from there.

Here's a picture of what I wore (excuse the sun... we don't see it very much!):

**Scotland Forever** · 23rd February 10, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Paul.

Here's a picture of what I wore (excuse the sun... we don't see it very much!)

I saw it I think three times when I was home in August for a week.

**piperdbh** · 23rd February 10, 07:26 PM

As usual, Jock's right on the money.

**Highlander31** · 23rd February 10, 11:36 PM

I would follow Jock's advice.

**Phil** · 24th February 10, 03:32 AM

As others ahve said, unless you are one of the "heid bummers" at the wedding it is best to go with the tweed for daytime. In Scotland, though, you will find that many guests will arrive in PC's, daytime or evening, so you could quite reasonably join in. I would leave the fly plaid at home though. Sometimes the groom and best man will wear them to distinguish theselves a little from the herd but others should not for that very reason.

**Tobus** · 24th February 10, 08:48 AM

The total sartorial ignorance of most people under 50 is awe inspiring. How can so many people live so many combined years with no knowledge of proper dress?

Speaking as one of those who is under 50 and trying to learn "proper dress", I can tell you it's because society doesn't care about what's "proper" any more. You older fellows apparently were taught somewhere, or picked up the rules of etiquette along the way. But for us younger folks, we were raised in a time where etiquette was (apparently) not important. It's not like they teach this stuff in school. And it seems that your generation failed somehow to pass along your knowledge to mine. Nowadays people expect the rental/hire companies to know the rules for formality (it's their business, after all!), so if these companies are responsible for bad information, shame on them. For normal people who do not attend enough formal functions to have been exposed to proper etiquette, why would you have expected them to know all the rules?

Many of us are trying to learn from you older and wiser gentlemen, and we appreciate your help on these issues. But I can't help feeling a little defensive when being labeled as "too ignorant to know better", even if it's an accurate statement.

You may not have intended it to be demeaning, but surely you can understand how your statements could be taken as such, especially from the folks who are genuinely asking for help.

**Jock Scot** · 24th February 10, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Speaking as one of those who is under 50 and trying to learn "proper dress", I can tell you it's because society doesn't care about what's "proper" any more. You older fellows apparently were taught somewhere, or picked up the rules of etiquette along the way. But for us younger folks, we were raised in a time where etiquette was (apparently) not important. It's not like they teach this stuff in school. And it seems that your generation failed somehow to pass along your knowledge to mine. Nowadays people expect the rental/hire companies to know the rules for formality (it's their business, after all!), so if these companies are responsible for bad information, shame on them. For normal people who do not attend enough formal functions to have been exposed to proper etiquette, why would you have expected them to know all the rules? Many of us are trying to learn from you older and wiser gentlemen, and we appreciate your help on these issues. But I can't help feeling a little defensive when being labeled as "too ignorant to know better", even if it's an accurate statement.

You may not have intended it to be demeaning, but surely you can understand how your statements could be taken as such, especially from the folks who are genuinely asking for help.

Okay, you do raise a valid point that there are actually some that really want to learn about kilt etiquette and on the whole there are those that really have taken the trouble to give help where they can. No one, as far as I can see, is intending to be demeaning any more than any one is intending to be sensitive, or defensive. BUT we all have our little ways and emails have a way of camouflaging, or, magnifying comments, in a way that is not really intended either by the poster or the receiver, or both; that is they way it is I suppose.

For those that are trying to learn please bare in mind the times that good advice has been given and that advice has been rejected in a not very diplomatic way. So its a two way thing.

Anyway, YOU keep asking and I/WE will keep the advice coming. How about that?

.

**Tobus** · 24th February 10, 09:52 AM

Anyway, YOU keep asking and I/WE will keep the advice coming. How about that?

Sounds like a deal!

(Sorry... reading my post again I sure sound like a whiner. I didn't mean to come across that way.)

I can't speak for others, but I'm trying to take all the good advice to heart, rejecting nothing. But it sure seems like this whole issue of "proper dress" is a big onion. I keep peeling back layers, only to find more layers.

**Jock Scot** · 24th February 10, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Sounds like a deal!

(Sorry... reading my post again I sure sound like a whiner. I didn't mean to come across that way.)

I can't speak for others, but I'm trying to take all the good advice to heart, rejecting nothing. But it sure seems like this whole issue of "proper dress" is a big onion. I keep peeling back layers, only to find more layers.

Tobus you are complicating things by having two onions! If you really want to understand kilt attire throw that American dress code "onion" in the bin! Gently and with great respect, of course. KEEP THE SCOTS KILT ATTIRE "ONION"!

Assuming that my advice is fairly sound, what is complicated about my original post on this thread?What is there to make that advice complicated? Remember the US Onion is out of commission! So what makes that advice complicated?

**MacLowlife** · 24th February 10, 10:02 AM

Of course Jock's advice is good advice, but I wonder if this might be one (OR TWO) time(s) when a little something over the top is acceptable- the Father of the Bride, even a surrogate father of the bride, is entitled to be very dressed up and might even be able to carry off being overdressed for a daytime wedding, i.e., wearing the great whacking plaid and all of that. The trick is, for that third wedding (where you will be an ordinary guest), to show just how understated a gentleman in a kilt can be.

Ummm Paul, were you in that picture? I saw a lady and then didn't notice what else was there.