Cheers, folks. Having thought about it a little more, we decided that yes, it's no contest. Kilts are more occasiony, and always feel more dressed up, whereas however nice a suit is, it's a nice suit and something one might conceivably wear to work. And, as I say, we need something that can expand up and down.
Having thought about the various options, we discovered Austin Reed in Regent Street does a limited range, which would save us the time and money of travelling back up to Edinburgh for this. Chose the tartan yesterday - a nice purply-blue colour with a very fine white weave. We've ordered the basic kilt and dress outfits, and I'm going to buy the various trimmings (sporran, belt, socks, flashes, sgian dubh, etc.) online.
Sax:
Are you actually keeping it secret from the families, or just not inviting them?
Keeping it secret, until after the event. There's no idea way of managing the situation, but we reeeally want to keep it small and for us, essentially, rather than for family. We'll eventually have a separate event up in Edinburgh specifically for parents and siblings, and a small number of good Edinburgh friends; probably a big meal in a nice restaurant.
On a related note, I've been invited to a wedding (barely) in Scotland in July (it's north of Berwick, although the groom is from Glasgow) and there's been a request for gentlemen guests to wear kilts. Can below-average-height Sassenachs, even ones as dazzlingly handsome as myself, ever get away with wearing a kilt and not looking just plain wrong?
Abso-fucking-lutely. Don't buy into all the precious "ooh, only Scotsmen are entitled to wear a kilt" bollocks. And remember, these things were developed in Scotland, home of squat, stocky men with podgy legs; they're designed to flatter the, erm, less-than-willowy male. G'wan. You passed on the leather trousers, Sax, but you can do this! |
