Accessories for a new kilt.... questions from a newby

[JohnMcNab]

I am new to this very informative forum and I am learning a lot reading through the various threads. I also have a (now worn) copy of "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt!" I am waiting for the arrival of my first kilt. I chose the Special Forces Tartan as I spent 20+ years serving there. I have worn a kilt in the past for various ceremonies but this is the first time I will be the proud owner. I have a few questions and I appreciate any advice from the experienced and knowledgeable members here.

As I am waiting for the arrival of my kilt, I am choosing accessories. I bought a charcoal grey Argyll Jacket but I opted for stag horn buttons thinking this would make it a "most occasions" suit jacket. I plan to add others as needed. Thoughts?

I have several pair of hose as I wear them with my breeks when I shoot birds. I typically wear hose in colors "louder than my shotgun". I guess occasion would dictate, but are there any formal or informal norms when it comes to hose and the kilt?

I love the red stag. I have pursued this royal beast numerous times in Scotland and Argentina (and will do so as long as my legs will carry me up the hills). I see sporrans, kilt pins, belts, etc. that are decorated with the stag. Are there any formal are informal norms to wearing stag decorated accessories?

Again, I thank everyone for their comments and advice.

Larry

[sbevans]

First, welcome from Illinois. Second, I have a grey kilt jacket, (Braemar Cuffs with horn buttons), and wear it far more often than my Black Argyll Jacket for the same reason. Third, I think you will find many different opinions about hose color. As for me, I generally wear lighter colors with daywear (Lovat blue or green, or grey), and darker colors for evening. It may depend on the colors of your Kilt(s), but ultimately, wear whatever you like. Last, as far as accessories, I believe stag accessories are not uncommon. In terms of day, semi dress, or dress sporrans, some may offer different opinions, but I own one of each, and find that I wear the day sporran the most often.

[Livonian]

Loud hose would look quite nice in my opinion, although I like to have at least one or two (very) loud pieces of clothing on my person at any given time.

The stag seems a popular motif for Highland Dress, although one of our members from Scotland would be better-qualified to comment on any norms for wearing stag-motif items.

If I may ask, where might we all find hose that are louder than a shotgun? I, and some other members, may be interested in a pair or twelve.

[Dughlas mor]

Hello, JohnMcNab. If you haven`t done so already, I urge you to have a look at the sticky posted at the top of the traditional forum, "Traditional Highland Civilian Dress, a Definition and Guide with Visual Examples." You will see lots of photos of Xmarkers who really know the traditional look, and some fairly loud hose as well. Happy shopping!

[JohnMcNab]

Thanks to everyone for the comments.

Livonian: I pick up the loud hose when I visit the UK. Fortunately, I have able to go at least one time every year.

Larry

[OC Richard]

First and foremost, thank you for your service to our country!

Yes a grey jacket is versatile, hard to go wrong.

About bright hose, I love them! Why not have bold accessories, especially as the jacket is grey.

About the stag motif, yes, there's a small number of motifs which show up all the time in Highland Dress, the most common being the thistle, the stag's head, St Andrew holding his cross, and the Lion Rampant. These are seen over and over both in civilian and in military Highland Dress.

The stag's head, in the military, is most associated with The Seaforth Highlanders and The Gordon Highlanders, a stag's head forming the cap-badge of both regiments, as well as appearing on the sporran badges and numerous other places.

The dearly departed Pipe Major Alisdair Gillies in the uniform of The Queens Own Highlanders (formed by an amalgamation of The Seaforth Highlanders and The Cameron Highlanders). Note the stag's head badges on the Glengarry, brooch, crossbelt, and on an embroidered arm-badge



The regimental toast of the Queens Own Highlanders was, not surprisingly,

Slainte agus buaidh gu brath le Gillean Chabar Feidh!

And one of the main regimental marches is Cabar Feidh.

Here's a civilian guy in the 1860s wearing spectacular deer's horn motif hose



Personally I think the putting badges (of any sort) on accessories can easily be over-done, in civilian kilt-wearing. Sometimes less is more!

[JohnMcNab]

OC Richard, thank you for your comments and information. I love the stag motif hose. I agree that less can be more, especially when one is not in uniform. I am going to tastefully wear a stag theme accessory or two as pursuing the cabarfeidh is one of my passions.

[MacPherson85]

The only time I wear White kilt hose or black kilt hose is for formal occasions (weddings, funerals, burns supper, etc.), other than that I usually just wear cream, grey or any other color hose for any other time. If you plan on going to any formal occasions, maybe get yourself a formal dress sporran with a full cantle, but it really is personal preference. I also wear semi formal sporrans even to formal occasions.

[Jock Scot]

I can relate, well, to your Stag and bird interests, but be careful with the stag with everything when it comes to kilt attire. As already mentioned the "less is more"----with the emphasis firmly on the "less" bit-----way of going about kitting yourself out with kilt attire is generally more effective in the long run.If you are lucky enough to belong to a Clan with a stag crest (probably and properly worn within a strap [belt] and buckle worn on your bonnet) then that helps no end. Sadly I am not that lucky.

As to loud kilt hose, well yes, there is scope to be adventurous there, but there are times when loud can become deafening!

[Tarheel]

I, unlike Jock, have a stag in my clan motif. But I have wood button on my jackets and wood sgian handles. There are other (subtle) ways to incorporate stag accessories such as buttons, sgian handle, antler clasp on a sporran, etc. This would be too much for me with the clan badge already displayed on my caps.