Hello all,

I seem to recall seeing an old printing of the wonderful Thompson book, So You're Going to Wear the Kilt, and something struck me as odd, but at the same time very sharp. On the cover, it shows a gentleman in daywear, but instead of wearing a belt or waistcoat, he was wearing both with the waistcoat tucked into his kilt. My question is this, does anyone still do this? I fondly recall my late Grandfather doing this on occasion, & his Ancient Gordon looked wonderful with his charcoal jacket & waistcoat. Anyhoo, I've planned on experimenting with this look but I want some opinions on what you all think.

Thanks,
Zach Caselman
Clan Gordon
"Ozark Jacobite"

I'd advise against it. First, the waistcoat should never been tucked into the kilt; it just isn't designed (or intended) to do that. Secondly, when wearing a waistcoat the belt should be dispensed with as it presents an awkward appearance peeping out from under the waistcoat. Thirdly, the belt was/is intended to be worn with a dirk, and in those circumstances would be buckled over the waistcoat (as it is in the illustration on the cover of Thompson's book).

Since the kilt is a fitted garment that does not require a belt to stay in place, why bother with one in the first place?

It works in certain circumstances. I almost never wear a belt with a waistcoat, but I am in this photo:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-DGC5EPerrg/Sd...2/100_3971.jpg

Why? Because I am wearing a plaid that requires a belt. So in this instance I wore the belt on the outside of the waistcoat to allow for the plaid.

The thing to avoid, and the mistake that many people make, is wearing the belt underneath the waistcoat, which generally results in either the belt sticking half out from beneath the waistcoat, or creating an unsightly bulge in the waistcoat, or both.

Thank you sirs.

Doesn't appear too bad. Its not an eye sore.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Deil's Chiel

http://www.farquharson-clan.co.uk/images/chief.jpg

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This is not a bad look, but the military in me would like to fix his gig line. :pith:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Deil's Chiel

http://www.farquharson-clan.co.uk/images/chief.jpg

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Imagine, for a second, a belt almost an inch wider, with one of those chrome-plated index card belt buckles that most people own/wear... somehow I think that would look a whole lot worse...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Deil's Chiel

Young Struan, chief of Clan Donnachaid, could use a few pointers from some of the old timers...that loose droopy belt he's wearing in this photo makes him look like an American tourist.

http://www.donnachaidhnorcal.com/images/Gilbert.jpg

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Could he be wearing a truss?

That old chief is just crusty looking enough to pull it off.

I have seen the look on Thompson's book but I think the look would create a fine line between disaster and success.

Quote:

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This is not a bad look, but the military in me would like to fix his gig line.

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I'd also like to fix his garter flashes. Good grief.