My kilts - so far

[Eck]

Hi all, newbie Eck here. Thanks to you all for the kind welcome you gave me, what a friendly bunch.
As this is what the site is all about, thought I would share some pics of my kilts - so far. Still learning the ropes.
I own three all made from Lochcarron Mills fabric and all variations of Clan Donald tartans.
MacDonnell/MacDonald of Glengarry Modern
MacDonald of Clanranald Ancient
MacDonald of the Isles Hunting Ancient
and the fourth photo is a MacDonald Dress Modern which I hired for a wedding.






Hope the photos show and not just the links, I'm new to all this stuff (this is my first time on a forum).
Grateful for any advice if I am going wrong somewhere, dresswise or photowise.
Thanks again
Eck

[Mael Coluim]

Very distinguished! Your confidence in kilt wear effervesces!

[AKScott]

Looking sharp I think.

May I ask, are you a native Scot been there your whole life or a recent transplant? No offense, you are clearly doing fine and surrounded at least currently by plenty of people who know what they are doing. All of these pics show you confidently dressed, free of North America matchy match disease. EDIT: I am the first kilted member of my branch of my clan in at least a century, I have to learn from either you guys or the rental shop owners.

I am asking because I am still struggling with understanding why bias cut waistcoats are super cool but tartan ties with tartan kilts generally not found together.

Looking at the second photo I think the blatantly brown shoes with the nearly black sporran are, I guess, fashion forward enough to make it work. You could easily fit a dozen other ties in that photo, but with the tartan tie it just flat works for me. I bet part of the appeal is the more subdued ancient pallette.

Your approachable confidence certainly makes a difference, if I was wearing those exact clothes and the least bit tentative the look wouldn't work for me.

Anyway, thanks for the reference point. For now I think I am going to stick with a bias cut waistcoast to match my modern tartan, but I will be looking this over again when I get closer to a muted hunting kilt.

Welcome.

[xman]

Super turnout cousin, you look tremendous.

[Eck]

Looking sharp I think.

I am asking because I am still struggling with understanding why bias cut waistcoats are super cool but tartan ties with tartan kilts generally not found together.

Hi AKScott, thanks for your interest and comments.
Yes, I am a scot still living in Scotland. Have only just recently become hooked on the kilt having been 'required' to wear one at a relatives wedding (photo 4).
You will appreciate that kilt wearers are in a minority in Scotland just like anywhere else and yes, in some areas of Scotland regarded as oddballs.
However, it was not until I donned the kilt for the first time in my life that I experienced the pride in doing so - result, I'm hooked (took me nearly 60 years).

Regards the tartan tie, well the Clanranald kilt was supplied with matching tartan flashes and I thought it would be a nice touch to match those with a tie. I agree with you the more suttle 'ancient' tone seems to make it work OK.

Whether this is right or wrong is debateable. Long ago, highlanders wore multiple tartan garments together with the kilt including vest, hose and jacket. Were they wrong to do so? We have to remember, we are following in their footsteps. I guess it was fashionable at the time for them and my view is that is what it is all about. Fashion and trends. Is it fashionable now and who decides? No doubt in years to come, some other 'dress code' will suggest what we are doing now is not permitted. For example, I have noted in Scotland at least that the current trend with younger men wearing the kilt is to wear it longer and virtually cover the knee - much to the disdain of tradionalists, but, it's fashion.

As for the brown shoes with the darker sporran, well that was my first sporran and belt and I did'nt have black brogues at the time, but I think it looks OK given the more relaxed 'day wear' and 'ancient' theme that is going on. I now co-ordinate my leather.

(hope this response does'nt appear twice, I tried posting earlier but it did'nt seem to work - sorry if it does - I'm also a newbie to forums/posts etc).

Regards
Alex (Eck)

[CMcG]

<snip>
As this is what the site is all about, thought I would share some pics of my kilts - so far. Still learning the ropes.

Grateful for any advice if I am going wrong somewhere, dresswise or photowise.

Regards the tartan tie, well the Clanranald kilt was supplied with matching tartan flashes and I thought it would be a nice touch to match those with a tie. I agree with you the more suttle 'ancient' tone seems to make it work OK.

Whether this is right or wrong is debateable. Long ago, highlanders wore multiple tartan garments together with the kilt including vest, hose and jacket. Were they wrong to do so? We have to remember, we are following in their footsteps. I guess it was fashionable at the time for them and my view is that is what it is all about. Fashion and trends. Is it fashionable now and who decides? <snip>

First of all, well done! You are well turned out, and especially so for a newbie Kilt worn at the right height, jackets fitting well, not too matchy-matchy.

You are quite right that the debate about right and wrong in the world of kilts rages on. From a traditional point of view, historical Highland attire and fashion are both erroneous sources of sartorial evidence. The historical is too much like a costume and fashion changes each season. Traditional style is classic, widely accepted, and dignified. Wear what you like but do so knowing that it may not be "how it's done" in traditional Highland civilian dress (THCD).

There are a couple things to nitpick about. In the first picture it appears that you are wearing a belt under your waistcoat? This can create an unsightly bulge and shouldn't be necessary for holding your kilt up. If for whatever reason your kilt isn't staying up properly, consider suspenders (braces?) when wearing a waistcoat.

In the second picture, the tartan tie and flashes are a bit too much. As AKScott mentioned, a tartan waistcoat or even a jacket might be traditional but the tie and flashes aren't. They look a bit kitschy. I reserve my tartan tie for wearing with solid colour kilts or with a suit... The mixed leathers, however, is fine for traditional wear and HRH the Duke of Rothesay does it all the time!

The third picture is spot on, according to what I've learned while hanging out on this forum

In the last picture, everything is ok from the knees up but white hose and ghillie brogues are best left to pipe bands. You wrote that it was a hired outfit and it shows because those two things are also sure signs that one has rented. This would have been better with solid colour, diced, or Argyle hose and black cap-toe Oxfords.

You asked, so I've done my best to point out a few things for your consideration. In the greater scheme of things, though, you wear the kilt well

[English Bloke]

I am not a traditionalist so I don't have an issue with any of your outfits but then I'm happy wearing my Kilt casually so maybe I'm not the best judge.

I like smart as much as I like casual and I think you look the bees knees. I like the way you've put together tartan tie and kilt, I've seen this done often in Scotland so it's not uncommon; as is belt with waistcoat. If you like it, crack on... I like your selection of jackets. I like the mixed leathers and I think you should keep doing it. It's all good in my view.

[Eck]

Hi CMcG
Grateful for your interest and comments and they are all taken on board.

I knew about the cream socks issue and subsequently don't own a pair. That was my first outing with the kilt and I did'nt know any better at the time being a hire for a wedding. Still happens now though with current hires, see it all the time - someone should put the hire companies right.

Who put that belt around my waist? Argh! (Hee Hee). I know I should'nt have done that also but I was jiggling the outfits about in order to get the photos posted and slipped up there. Oversight.

Tartan tie and flashes issue noted - will do better next time. (However, I don't understand why they provide the flashes with the the kilt then)?

Really appreciate your input. Have learnt a lot from you more experienced wearers on the forum, it's a gold mine of info.

Thanks again
Alex

[Riverkilt]

Hey cousin - great collection! I have the generic Macdonald, and Macdonald of the Isles Weathered Hunting, Macdonald Lord of the Isles, and Macdonald of Kingsburgh tartan kilts.

Nice thing about being of Clan Donald - we have a LARGE wish list of clan tartans.

[Eck]

Thanks to my distant cousins for their interest.

Indeed Clan Donald has so many tartans to choose from.
I intend to do some family research and find out which subdivision of the clan is my bloodline.

xman - looking forward to seeing those Clanranald kilts you are making, what a challenge.

Riverkilt - Jings, what a collection of kilts you have, outstanding!!!!!

Regards
Alex