Talk me out of a fly plaid

[Highwayman]

In good part thanks to this forum, I've managed to assemble a very affordable Prince Charlie tuxedo set for the occasion of a yearly Tartan Ball up in Milwaukee which I'll be traveling to attend. I expect to be a yearly visitor as I have friends in the area who run the event, it may also be my only occasion to wear highland black tie thus I did not splurge too much on the outfit costs. Showing off my ebay'd vintage Prince Charlie to a friend, they reminded me that the shoulder cords are designed to hold a fly plaid and chuckled that 'I'm sure you'd like wearing a cape.'
He was right. Wearing a cape is a long term goal in my life. I need not explain myself in this day and age of tolerance and acceptance.

However, my needing a cape to be fulfilled in life does not mean I should barge into cultural traditions solely for the look. Reading into it, while many vendors would happily provide an affordable fly plaid in my matching tartan, it seems to be the one accessory that this forum finds simply silly and unnecessary. On a forum about kilts, that's saying something. At worst, I've heard it's unwieldly, dangerous, or uncomfortable. At best, I've heard it should only be for extremely special occasions rising above black or white tie, such as a man's wedding. It seems that wearing one implies you're trying to overshadow others, and at gatherings it should be reserved for those of honor or status. I will say I find this gesture of respect to be extremely interesting and unique in a world where men's formal wear is simply a uniform we don attempting to look the same as everyone else, and it's a gesture I respect as a non-Scottish individual.

But trust me I'm still shallow and want a cape. I've priced one from USA kilts to match my fabric, I've looked into a smaller, subtle brooch that is a simple Celtic knot rather than a clan or fraternal badge, and I can afford it comfortably if I behave this month and have a little left over in my entertainment budget.

What are your thoughts? Considering this would be a once-a-year outfit for a distinctly Scottish-themed (but not Scottish in heritage) gathering held by a Shriners pipe band, the finest tastes may not apply. However, making an effort to truly honor the tastes of the culture may be worth suppressing my truly disturbing desire for a cape.