my favourite topic. Dress codes.

[gazbot]

Hello,

I am to be kilted in a few weeks time in London. I have no events or functions planned just thought it may be nice to get the tartan out. What would be more appropriate my tweed jacket and waistcoat with daywear accesories or my black argyll with dress sporran. I know it may seem straight forward as i will be out in the day but my alternative non celtic wear would be lounge suit and i do try to follow the never wear brown in town rule when in non celtic gear! I know anything goes, and we all have our opinions just intetested to see which way general opinion sways.

[tripod]

Well it depends on what you're doing.

Personally if you've no formal functions leave the argyll etc at home. Day casual, wear a jumper. Anything smarter wear the tweed for day or evening.

In my view you're not in fancy dress you're just wearing a kilt, don't go overboard.

[Jock Scot]

I know that I am probably swimming against the tide here, but personally I would not wear the kilt in London, unless I had a kilted event to attend. Even then, I would think thrice about it and still would probably not wear the kilt there. But that's me.

The main problem you will have, is that the majority of Southerners, who know absolutely nothing about kilt attire do not know that a tweed kilt jacket is lounge/business suit equivalent and will assume, quite wrongly of course, that you are incorrectly attired.

We would hope and expect that the general public will keep their thoughts to themselves -------it won't stop them from thinking AND drawing the wrong conclusion though. For me, that actually matters.

[thecompaqguy]

In London, folks do generally keep their thoughts to themselves, they probably won't be occupied by the same kilt protocol we adhere to so much here, people will look because it's different, but as a nice change (people are quite used to seeing that Indian kilted chef on the BBC, I forget his name), people might want their photo taken with you (especially tourists who love the kilt), and aside from ignorant individuals (usually in groups) saying something about your "skirt" (more likely to Tweet it or make a Vine), there's not much to worry about. Wear the kilt as you would some smart jeans, for me, that's boots, scrunched-down hose, casual jumper, or a tweed waistcoat (depending on weather).

It's nice to sometimes stand out from the sea of jeans and be kilted, but I would not get too worried about what others would think if they ever dared to voice their opinion. For every two or three who don't like your kilt, there's loads more that love it!

My Mrs has just categorically told me she hates kilts compared to her traditional West African dress. I can't figure that one out either, but life is too short to worry. There's loads of women who do like the kilt and I do get admiration, to her chagrin, when I am kilted.

Those who matter won't mind, and those who mind don't matter

[Jack Daw]

I appreciate Jock Scot's opinion, and I'm tickled at the term "Southerners" regarding Londoners. And, I think I may understand Mr. Scot's concern. But, in MHO, go about as you please. You are your own boss regarding dress.

[kilted scholar]

I grew up in London and visit it now regularly. I have no hesitation in wearing the kilt there. If I have no function to attend I wear a sweater not a jacket (personally I avoid jackets unless there is a compelling reason for one).

London is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. In central London almost every language spoken by humans is heard on the streets. It is a microcosm of the world. In London Muslims wear their distinctive clothing, Sikhs their turbans, and others whatever they wish; it amazes me that anyone would even think it out of order for a kilt to be worn.

So wear it in an understated way.

[CMcG]

... What would be more appropriate my tweed jacket and waistcoat with daywear accesories or my black argyll with dress sporran. I know it may seem straight forward as i will be out in the day but my alternative non celtic wear would be lounge suit ...

Tweed jacket and daywear accessories is a suit equivalent, so I recommend you go with that if your non-kilted choice would be a lounge suit. A black Argyll can be dressed down a bit, but it is basically the equivalent of morning dress or black tie evening wear, depending on the accessories.

[Derek]

I have worn my Cilt in London to many times to remember and have never experienced any problems at all. People are to busy getting on with what they are doing and not really concerned about me. If the weather is good, I have just worn my ordinary denim shirt or if its cold or raining, a sweater and my leather jacket. Mind you, that's what I normally wear inc the Cilt ....
Iechyd Da
Derek

[Jock Scot]

Of course we can wear what we like according to the situation and how an individual feels at the time. However the OP indicates that he would normally wear a lounge suit when going to town.

We see the thought process on this website weekly, where people won't, or are at least hesitant on deciding to wear tweed as kilt lounge/business suit equivalent because they are thinking sports jacket. A perfectly natural thought for those in London, New York, Dallas, wherever, because that is the dress culture that most come from. To my mind if you are wearing the kilt then at least wear the correct attire to suit the occasion and that is as important, more so in many ways, in London as Inverness.

Should one decide to wear the kilt and tweed kilt jacket to London, New York, Dallas, etc., one thing for certain sure will happen should one be surrounded by suits, most will be thinking kindly no doubt,; "why is that chap wearing a sports jacket?" One could spend an awful lot of time explaining should anyone be interested enough to ask. I hope they do!

[HarveyH]

The main problem you will have, is that the majority of Southerners, who know absolutely nothing about kilt attire do not know that a tweed kilt jacket is lounge/business suit equivalent and will assume, quite wrongly of course, that you are incorrectly attired.

I wear kilt in London a lot of the time, mostly with what Joch describes (I think rightly) as day-wear; that is tweed jackets of some kind or sometimes just with pull-over or waistcoat. I have only ever had compliments and tourist photo requests. Even at its most casual the kilt still looks smarter than most other casual dress. Where I really do agree is that there is never a reason to wear a black argyle and associated 'formal' dress unless you were attending a formal (and probably evening) event (UK black-tie or equivalent) - If you only had a black argyle, I'd say leave it at home and just come in shirt sleeves or pull-over .

As for the Town and Country rules of the late 19th and early 20th century (brown in town). Tweed has been revitalized by the likes of Patrick Grant and is now seen 'fashionable' to wear anytime and definitely in town.