Need advice on what or what not to wear

[Eric Schutte]

Hello all

I am a first time poster here on XMTS and I was hoping some kind soul could guide me as I am planning on attending the 2012 Clan MacLean gathering at Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull. I have purchased a dress sporran and am saving money for a 16 oz Dress MacLean kilt from J. Higgins in addition to a waistcoat and jacket.

What I want to know is when in the company of clansmen from Scotland that I meet at the gathering, what should I wear or not wear in regards to highland attire so as not to offend anyone?

Just to clarify, my biological father was Merle MacVey. The MacVeys are a sept of Clan MacLean.

Thanks to you all,

Eric

[Paul]

I'd say if it is a clan gathering it will be probably both daytime and evening? Casual and semi-formal at most.
I'd say get a nice tweed jacket, plain wool tie and just wear plain black shoes (or brown if your sporran is brown). A leather sporran with no cantle should be appropriate or if you'd prefer skunk or a mask then go for it!
Are you planning to wear any headwear? If so - just dont wear any feathers!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Eric,

The BEST possible advice you can receive will come from JSFMACLJR. Whatever he says, you can take to the bank as 100% the real deal.

[SFCRick]

You have plenty of time to go through all the advice you will get, take your time, learn the styles. look at all photos and choose what you like.

[Eric Schutte]

Paul, I have a L&M Muskrat Mask Sporran that I recently purchased for $150.00 and I was planning on wearing a plain balmoral with clan crest....thoughts?

Thanks,

Eric

[ForresterModern]

One thing I noticed in your original post was that you were getting (or planning to get) a kilt in DRESS Maclean. Nothing wrong with that except you may stick out of the crowd that is wearing one of the standard non-dress Maclean tartans. DRESS tartans were an invention to add some white to the basic clan tartan in lieu of red, for women to wear, as red was seen in olden times as a sign of a woman of ill repute. Since many clan tartans were predominantly red, dress tartans introduced some white in place of red to change the predominant background color to one more pristine. So dress tartans are more commonly worn by women than men, and also more commonly in Highland dance outfits than for formal clan gatherings. I cannot think of more than a handful of times I have seen a DRESS tartan kilt worn by a man in a picture on this forum in the two years I have been lurking or a contributing member.

You would more likely fit in in a Maclean Modern tartan kilt, or if you prefer a somewhat different color set the Ancient, Muted, or Weathered version of the same tartan.

[JSFMACLJR]

Hello all

I am a first time poster here on XMTS and I was hoping some kind soul could guide me as I am planning on attending the 2012 Clan MacLean gathering at Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull. I have purchased a dress sporran and am saving money for a 16 oz Dress MacLean kilt from J. Higgins in addition to a waistcoat and jacket.

What I want to know is when in the company of clansmen from Scotland that I meet at the gathering, what should I wear or not wear in regards to highland attire so as not to offend anyone?

Just to clarify, my biological father was Merle MacVey. The MacVeys are a sept of Clan MacLean.

Thanks to you all,

Eric

Hello Eric,

We too are planning on attending the next Gathering on Mull, so I look forward to meeting you.

Most MacLeans wear the MacLean hunting tartan by day, and the red MacLean tartan for evening events. You certainly do NOT want to get a kilt of Dress MacLean, which has a white background. You certainly would appear a bit odd!

Now, not everyone can afford two kilts. If you can only buy one, I would get one of MacLean hunting tartan. Many MacLeans wear them even in the evening, including Maclean of Ardgour, and Maclean of Dochgarroch--two of our chieftains. MacLean of Pennycross wears the trews in the evening of hunting tartan.

For the daytime events at the Gathering, a tweed jacket, maybe a waistcoat (it can be quite chilly on Mull), necktie, hose that are not white, would mark you as One Who Knows. Of course you can go a little less formal and wear a sweater of fleece. For the formal evening events, many wear black tie. The Prince Charlie coatee predominates, but all other forms of evening doublets are seen. The Chief wears a doublet of green velvet with his silver salmon buttons. My suggestion would be to give the PC a wide pass and get either a regulation doublet, or the always popular and versatile Argyll doublet.

Most importantly, dress in a manner that you find comfortable. You won't be shunned no matter what you wear! There are even MacLeans at the Gatherings who wear white hose, although I must say they do stick out and occasionally evoke a chuckle or two by the cognizanti!

Cheers
Sandford MacLean

[McMurdo]

I would say listen to the sage advice given by JSFMACLJR. Another thing you may want to do is to look at the 1 kilt 10 looks thread here as it runs through outfits from casual to white tie.

[Eric Schutte]

Thanks to everyone for your much appreciated input. It appears I ALMOST made a less than optimum choice with a dress MacLean kilt. THANK YOU FORRESTER MODERN and JSFMACLJR for your input. I will take your advice and get a MacLean Hunting Tartan kilt instead. It will go better with my forest green balmoral anyway so that will work out well. One more question, if I cannot afford ghillie brouges what would be most acceptable? I have some nice corafram dress shoes from my military days or I have a pair of oxford type slip on shoes.

Thanks again for taking time for a "newbie". I do appreciate it.

Eric

[Highlander31]

Eric,

The BEST possible advice you can receive will come from JSFMACLJR. Whatever he says, you can take to the bank as 100% the real deal.

You have plenty of time to go through all the advice you will get, take your time, learn the styles. look at all photos and choose what you like.

I would say listen to the sage advice given by JSFMACLJR. Another thing you may want to do is to look at the 1 kilt 10 looks thread here as it runs through outfits from casual to white tie.

I couldn't give you any better advice than the above.