Please critique the outfit

[turpin]

Here is my first posting of kilted pix. I had a non-kilting friend take them, so fingers crossed. I'm interested in feedback on the footwear, especially, but anything will be received in a spirit of learning.

I thought the shoes worked well with the SWK saffron, but do they work with the charcoal hose?




I kind of like the casual booted look


Here are some close-ups of the kilt itself. Not a bad garment for $132 total cost.



Most of the rear pix showed this goofy pleat. Hope it was just my pleat-ignorant photographer and not a chronic issue.


So, that's it. I wore this tonite for my first kilted outing ever. Posted on that elsewhere.

[Panache]

Turpin,

Congratualtions on your first kilt. The second outfit works better than the first. Why? Because your belt should always match your shoes (and sporran).
I'm going to challenge the matching sporran strap with belt and sporran later this week (when my photos are developed). One other thing, you should look into getting a leather sporran strap. It will wear less on the front apron of your kilt. Cavscout makes them and they are available from many vendors. Keep your chain strap for formal occassions. But overall:

Good on you!

Cheers

By the by, the dress shores are nice (just match them!)

[Southern Breeze]

It looks good. Here's my critique:
Shoes, belt and sporran strap should be the same color.
The sporran seems a bit formal for casual use.
You need a leather sporran strap, the chain will cause excess wear on the kilt.

Enjoy the freedom.

[Tattoo Bradley]

I'll echo the others. It's kind of an unwritten rule, that your "leathers" (sporran, shoes, belt) should all match (black with black, brown with brown.)

The sporran is probably a bit formal. But, I don't know, I like it fine for day wear. I would probably wear it as day wear myself . I'll also echo the others and say get yourself one (or two) of Cavscouts sporran straps.

Looks good though. That saffron is a great kilt.

[Rex_Tremende]

In my opinion, the second casual outfit works better than the first. Here's why:

In the casual look, everything (with the possible exception of the sporran) says casual: shoes, scrunched hose, polo shirt. The shoes with their black trim go better with the belt, support the charcoal hose, and being two-toned, sort of make the semi-dress sporran work.

In the dressier look, you have a couple of things fighting each other. I like the navy/saffron combination. You could make this look better by using black shoes, and swapping out the casual polo for a button-down in a similar color, but try other solids (like evergreen) or maybe even a broad plaid - with autumn approaching, I bet you will find one to go with that saffron that will be a knock-out. When hose are pulled up, they expose a lot of color. Because of this, I think navy hose would work better with the navy shirt than charcoal, but it takes a while to build the collection. Black shoes would again help in this case if charcoal is what you have.

This week I received my brown and black sporran straps from Cavscout. They are well made and an excellent value.

I think it's a terrific first effort, and you are courageous to put yourself out here for what I hope is constructive criticism.

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati

[turpin]

Turpin,

Congratualtions on your first kilt. The second outfit works better than the first. Why? Because your belt should always match your shoes (and sporran).
I'm going to challenge the matching sporran strap with belt and sporran later this week (when my photos are developed). One other thing, you should look into getting a leather sporran strap. It will wear less on the front apron of your kilt. Cavscout makes them and they are available from many vendors. Keep your chain strap for formal occassions. But overall:

Good on you!

Cheers

By the by, the dress shores are nice (just match them!)

Thanks. I agree on the belt/shoes match. It's the only belt and sporran I have so far, and better something than nothing. I am waiting for this one vendor to finish up a large existing order so I can get this sporran and belt.




http://www.theinnerbailey.com/main.htm

I think the Black and Chestnut sporran could go with either a black or brown belt and straps. I do plan on ordering straps from cavscout. I've seen them and they really are an excellent product.

[Tattoo Bradley]

You might try one of our own mods. He offers GREAT looking sporrans that are very similar in design to that one. Freelander Sporrano
He makes some in brown/black combo like that.

I've yet to buy one. BUT, I still have full intention to.

[Blu (Ontario)]

... I'm interested in feedback on the footwear, especially, but anything will be received in a spirit of learning.

I think that the footwear is fine worn in the appropriate context... but think there are a couple of other problems you might want to consider.

I do believe you have a bit of a conflict going between the cool (blue) and warm (saffron / brown) colors. A general rule of thumb is to select colors from the same side of the color wheel. That means that in most cases, blues and browns together are not good bedfellows.

The blue shirt should go back in the closet. The shirt would look better in dark brown to off-white / wheat or perhaps a warm gray each with matching socks. The right shade of green might also work or perhaps solid black.

I agree that the shoes should match up with the other leather accessories. The oxford style shoes in the top photo should be black to match the belt... or the accessories brown to match the shoes.

You really need to wear your kilt to the store and try the various shades available to see what looks best. And the kilt generally gets lots of attention from the store clerks.

.

[Riverkilt]

My most Gordon Cousin Turpin,

I gotta tell you, you have the stance, the posture, the kilted attitude down pat. Don't change that one bit. You're definately House of Gordon.

You've had good suggestions on the fashion part.

I'm with the others on I doubt that stuff they make SWKs out of will stand up long to a metal chain. Get thee to leather for sporran straps.

I'm deeply in love with the Black and Decker Gizmo...a hand steam rig with a sort of duck bill clamp to tame wild pleats and zap out wrinkles after wearing a kilt. That might help with rebellious pleats.

Ron

[turpin]

I think that the footwear is fine worn in the appropriate context... but think there are a couple of other problems you might want to consider.

I do believe you have a bit of a conflict going between the cool (blue) and warm (saffron / brown) colors. A general rule of thumb is to select colors from the same side of the color wheel. That means that in most cases, blues and browns together are not good bedfellows.

The blue shirt should go back in the closet. The shirt would look better in dark brown to off-white / wheat or perhaps a warm gray each with matching socks. The right shade of green might also work or perhaps solid black.

I agree that the shoes should match up with the other leather accessories. The oxford style shoes in the top photo should be black to match the belt... or the accessories brown to match the shoes.

You really need to wear your kilt to the store and try the various shades available to see what looks best. And the kilt generally gets lots of attention from the store clerks.

.

Thanks to all for your thoughtful and helpful input. Actually, the shirt is black, although a bit faded. The photo makes it look navy. But your points are well-taken, and I will keep them all in mind as I build my kilted wardrobe. I'm sure this sounds familiar, but I now can't be in a clothing store without looking at stuff with an eye to how it would look with a kilt. And I really have to get to bed now. School starts tomorrow in Georgia and traffic w/b a b!t@h!.