Incremental Accessorization Question

[BobCampbell]

Hey all,

Kilting up on a budget here. Plus, I'm not really sure on heritage/clan tartan affiliations yet. So, I'm getting started in this incrementally.

Currently, I own nothing kint-related (other than a utility kilt that USPS is currently in posession of).

My goal is to wear a tartan kilt outfit to the company Christmas Party in December. Dress for this event is anywhere from a low formal/casual formal up to semi-formal but not black tie. The most casual of men will probably wear black slacks and a dark colored polo shirt. The fanciest will be blazer/suitcoat (not necessarily matching pants) and a tie.

So here's what I am thinking.

Can I get away with a USA Casual Kilt, 1.5" belt, dark grey sweater and my existing dress shoes with kilt hose and solid color flashes?

1. My Dress Shoes look like this. Would they look weird with kilt hose?
2. How bad is sans-sporran? Will it make me "too casual" I was thinking I'd leave my sporran stuff in my coat. It's a private party and I'm not worried about it walking off.

I want to try to build up the rest incrementally. Get a good first sporran when I can rather than getting a cheapo one right away. No kilt pin initially. Thinner kilt belt, then buy a proper 2.5" when I can. No Sgian Dubh at first.

Or should I grab some cheap accessories to replace later?

[Panache]

Bob,

I personally think that a sporran is the one absolutely essential accessory for wearing the kilt. I have a suggestion for you that fits between the really nice/custom ones you see so often on XMTS (and as someone who owns a Freelander, a Fergusson Brit, and an Artificer sporran I will attest that is worth it to save for the "good stuff") and the "cheapo" ones.

http://www.buzzkidderoriginals.com/s...zzsporrans.htm


I and a number of my friends own at least one Buzz Kidder and we all are quite pleased with their quality. {Please note I am recommending the actually Buzz Kidder sporrans and not their imported sporrans.} At about $60, they aren't cheap, but they are a good value. They are sturdy, made of thick and supple leather, and are quite good sized (for a sporran) with lots of room to carry your things. Later on when you have saved for the "good stuff" you will still feel comfortable using one of these (unlike buying a cheap one that you will discard or stuff in a drawer and never use again when you have a better one)

I have had my original "Loch Ness" model (purchased from the Scottish Tartans Museum Shop) for years and it is still my "go to" sporran.

Here is a photo of mine from a couple years back with our wonderful dog Bella (who we still miss)




Hope this was of help

Cheers

Jamie

[Jock Scot]

We all have to start somewhere and the trick is not to "fall at the first fence" by starting off on the wrong foot! I honestly think that a utility kilt is not the way to start where office do's and work related evening events are concerned and the sooner a tartan kilt turns up the better. If you are wearing a pullover(sweater) then you need not worry about the belt as no one will see it under the sweater. For a slightly smarter look, a "V" neck sweater allows you to wear a tie if needs be and it still looks ok without one too. A "crew" neck sweater will do nicely too. Remember, though , if you are not wearing a tie then undo the top button of the shirt. No need for a kilt pin, or, S.D., however a sporran does set off the kilt to perfection. For my old eyes the shoes look a tad agricultural, but will do at a pinch. Good luck!

[BobCampbell]

We all have to start somewhere and the trick is not to "fall at the first fence" by starting off on the wrong foot! I honestly think that a utility kilt is not the way to start where office do's and work related evening events are concerned and the sooner a tartan kilt turns up the better. If you are wearing a pullover(sweater) then you need not worry about the belt as no one will see it under the sweater. For a slightly smarter look, a "V" neck sweater allows you to wear a tie if needs be and it still looks ok without one too. A "crew" neck sweater will do nicely too. Remember, though , if you are not wearing a tie then undo the top button of the shirt. No need for a kilt pin, or, S.D., however a sporran does set off the kilt to perfection. For my old eyes the shoes look a tad agricultural, but will do at a pinch. Good luck!

To be clear: The Utility Kilt is for me and will not show up to the office. While the dress code says nothing about kilts, it does specifically forbid cargo pockets. It might make an appearance at our annual office BBQ, though, where cargo shorts and t-shirts are the norm.

I'm for sure going tartan for the Christmas Party, even if it is in a more casual style kilt. Tartan kilt or no kilt. I have my eye on a USA Casual in Scottish National. Gotta start somewhere and I think I can dress it up enough for the party. Plus, I know I will want to keep a casual kilt around anyways.

I have a couple of different sweaters and really might bust out the v-neck if I can find a solid color tie that compliments the kilt. My current tie collection is lacking in the solid color department.

[Dughlas mor]

What you have planned sounds fine to me, but I agree with Panache and Jock that a sporran is definitely a must. I have seen the Buzz Kidder sporrans and I agree they are pretty nice, and a good value.

[IsaacW]

I know that others have other opinions but definitely a sporran. They are not too expensive depending on what you want, but set the garment out as a "kilt" and not a "skirt" in the minds of many that do not know. Get some good hose that are a go to color (lovat blue or green, tartan green, or claret), and you are fine with one pair for now. Those shoes are fine for now, but a nicer pair may be better. You absolutely DO NOT need ghillie brogues, but a nice pair of black brogues (oxford, wing-tip, cap-toe, etc.) would be good.

Beyond that, for casual settings, a good jumper/sweater and shirt that you likely already have (tie if needed) is perfect. Follow Jock Scot's advice on that. When time comes for a jacket, it is hard to beat a nice tweed for most American levels of formality (other than really formal, which is a rare thing for most of us in the States). Depending your size, you really can often find good vintage tweeds on eBay and from other Xmarkers for good prices and often they are better quality than some of the new ones that can be purchased for far more money.

Isaac

[IsaacW]

Oh... and KEEP IT SIMPLE!! As many have said here in the past, "less is often more." Also, keeping it simple is safer when you do not know, understand, or are new to Highland attire.

[MNlad]

All good advice, and you're taking the right approach. Kilt, sporran, and a good pair of shoes and hose cover the basics. Add to your wardrobe as the need arises and the budget permits. You'll never be sorry you waited to buy good quality items rather than trying to instantly achieve the "look" with a bunch of bargain basement throw-away junk. Walk into the room confidently and you'll have no regrets.

[CMcG]

...

Can I get away with a USA Casual Kilt, 1.5" belt, dark grey sweater and my existing dress shoes with kilt hose and solid color flashes?

1. My Dress Shoes look like this. Would they look weird with kilt hose?
2. How bad is sans-sporran? Will it make me "too casual" I was thinking I'd leave my sporran stuff in my coat. It's a private party and I'm not worried about it walking off.

I want to try to build up the rest incrementally. Get a good first sporran when I can rather than getting a cheapo one right away. No kilt pin initially. Thinner kilt belt, then buy a proper 2.5" when I can. No Sgian Dubh at first.

Or should I grab some cheap accessories to replace later?

Yes, a tartan USAKilts casual kilt is a good place to start. If they still have that patch on the apron, you might want to take it off. Give those shoes a proper shine, and they'll be fine. No need for a belt if you wear a sweater and it can actually make some unsightly bulges. Kilt hose (any colour but white) and solid flashes will be good, as long as you make sure to show some knee.

Sans-sporran doesn't quite look right with a tartan kilt unless you're doing something athletic. I understand being on a budget, but it would be better to spend $20 on a cheap sporran than to go without. My starter sporran lasted me a couple years until it was lost in a move.

Post some pics of your outfit before the event and I'm sure people here will be able to help you fine tune the details

[BobCampbell]

Yes, a tartan USAKilts casual kilt is a good place to start. If they still have that patch on the apron, you might want to take it off. Give those shoes a proper shine, and they'll be fine. No need for a belt if you wear a sweater and it can actually make some unsightly bulges. Kilt hose (any colour but white) and solid flashes will be good, as long as you make sure to show some knee.

Sans-sporran doesn't quite look right with a tartan kilt unless you're doing something athletic. I understand being on a budget, but it would be better to spend $20 on a cheap sporran than to go without. My starter sporran lasted me a couple years until it was lost in a move.

Post some pics of your outfit before the event and I'm sure people here will be able to help you fine tune the details

Does "Cream" count as white for kilt hose? I don't think I've ran across ones that are called white but cream seems to be ubiquitous. I've seen some nice pictures of lovat green with red flashes, but I'm not sure if I'm quite that bold. I was thinking grey hose with green flashes.

You can bet I'll post pics when I get it all together. Really hoping to get it all in time for the company Christmas party. In my favor is that USA happens to stock "off the rack" the exact measurements I need in the tartan I want (Scottish National) for a casual kilt.

Alright, everyone, I'll make a sporran work in the budget somehow. I, sadly, might have to start with the cheapo one, but I guess that's better than getting a mediocre one and never getting around to an upgrade.