Great kilt ideas

[Derekc5555]

Hello
I only have great kilts, and I'd like to wear one to the scottish games in Pleasanton, CA. I am worried about it looking funny though. How can i make a great kilt look nice without looking like I belong at a Ren' Fair or in a reenactment?

Any opinions are appreciated.
Thank you.

[Luke MacGillie]

To be honest, the great kilt is so far out of the norm, that I would think nothing could be done to not make it appear "Costume" to most people. I understand your struggle, my great kilt is the best piece of tartan I have, and it would really look good with my day jacket. But I simply keep my great kilt for reenacting, and wear a box pleated little kilt as a nod to my preference to the really, really olden days......

[Derekc5555]

Exactly. I love my great kilts but I feel they wouldn't be appropriate for the games. However I don't know if I'll be able to get a little kilt by then. The fiance wouldn't be happy about me buying one at least.

[DotDLL]

Hello
I only have great kilts, and I'd like to wear one to the scottish games in Pleasanton, CA. I am worried about it looking funny though. How can i make a great kilt look nice without looking like I belong at a Ren' Fair or in a reenactment?

I suspect that'll come up any time a great kilt is worn, however, it seems that I get a bit of that anytime I wear a kilt, in public. "Where are you heading?" is a relatively frequent question, although sometimes it is more specific.

Maybe pair a great kilt with more modern clothing? I've seen at least one t-shirt (it was a 'metal-band' type shirt) paired with a great kilt, that I thought looked pretty good, but then again, I tend to like many forms of non-standard kilt wear. :-)

Any which way, if you try something, maybe post pics? :-)

[Derekc5555]

I suspect that'll come up any time a great kilt is worn, however, it seems that I get a bit of that anytime I wear a kilt, in public. "Where are you heading?" is a relatively frequent question, although sometimes it is more specific.

Maybe pair a great kilt with more modern clothing? I've seen at least one t-shirt (it was a 'metal-band' type shirt) paired with a great kilt, that I thought looked pretty good, but then again, I tend to like many forms of non-standard kilt wear. :-)

Any which way, if you try something, maybe post pics? :-)

I was thinking of wearing a black watch modern tartan GK with a nice black button-up, black hose and shoes.

[DotDLL]

I was thinking of wearing a black watch modern tartan GK with a nice black button-up, black hose and shoes.

That could work. I say, go for it!

[dcommini]

I wear my GK more than I do my others. I usually just wear a plain t-shirt, or a sleeveless shirt depending on what I'm doing, and boots that just come over my ankles. I don't think it looks like a costume or like it purely belongs at the ren faire.

If it's cold out then I might wear a Henley style shirt with a sweater or pullover fleece jacket.

[CamelCody]

Maybe pair a great kilt with more modern clothing? I've seen at least one t-shirt (it was a 'metal-band' type shirt) paired with a great kilt, that I thought looked pretty good, but then again, I tend to like many forms of non-standard kilt wear. :-)

That's the way I tend to wear my GK, modern hardcore or metal t shirt and combat style boots or home made 'cuarachan'
After all we're really kind of appropriating something from the past anyway, unless you have every clothing item exactly period correct. If you do then you're essentially reenacting. We do the same thing the feilidh beag all the time, add modern items to what is really a traditional garment. That's my two cents, but I tend to like many forms of non-standard kilt wear too. And tend to think no self respecting Gael in the hay day of Gàidhilteachd would've asked advice on how to wear his kilt

[Manu]

In my honest opinion, id say it's impossible to make a great kilt look contemporary, as it is a historical garment, as opposed to the "little" kilt which is a garment that evolved with the times into what it is today. All the advice given in this thread is valid as far as options for wearing with the GK, but to me it will always look costume like or at least out of place.

[Jock Scot]

In my honest opinion, id say it's impossible to make a great kilt look contemporary, as it is a historical garment, as opposed to the "little" kilt which is a garment that evolved with the times into what it is today. All the advice given in this thread is valid as far as options for wearing with the GK, but to me it will always look costume like or at least out of place.

I cannot help but agree.