Please help the fashion challenged

[DryFly]

I've noticed a lot of great helpfull advice on this and other sections of the forum. I am however a bit flustered when it comes to "the rules" with regard to formal kiltwear. On the one hand, folks are generally given positive feedback on kilt wearing but the next thread in a forum resounds with statements like "one must never..............." or some other expectation of gentlemanly fashion conduct. I get the basics (Mother did well thank you) but my interest in this part of my celtic heritage seems to have created many unexpected questions.

Might one of you more experienced contributors start a sticky thread with the "gentlemans guide for the wearing o the kilt"?

What type of kilt is considered formal?
Which jacket and or waistcoat for which degree of formality?
Is formality determined by time, event type, both? other or more?
Hats? Fly plaids? Hose? Doublets? Tweed? Footwear?

I'm looking for a formalwear 101 course that won't take me hours of thread searching.

Oh yes, and with pictures please. I'm a visual learner!

Any takers? Please?

Thanks in advance.

DryFly

[ForresterModern]

Try starting here:

http://albanach.org/

Matt Newsome is a phenomenal source of information about kilts and kilt outits, besides being a master kiltmaker and curator of the Scottish Tartan Museum, a sponsor of this very web site.

enjoy

[Carolina Kiltman]

ForresterModern beat me to it, you can't do better than that site. Enjoy the hunt.

[Frank McGrath]

As a self appointed Kilt Kop, I believe in the following:

1. I wear what I like. You should too.
2. Judge not lest ye be judged.
3. I will be bribed. (beer is best)
4. Rules Schmules.
5. The only problem with fashion is the man not wearing a kilt. I dislike pants. But, some don't see things MY way.

Wear the kilt. Look at our pictures for guidance. But, wear the kilt with pride.

[CDNSushi]

This may not have quite the sufficient detail you're after, but one good primer is "Kilts & Tartan Made Easy" by Dr. Nicholas J. Fiddes. Have you read that yet? It's available as a free e-book from Scotweb here: http://www.scotweb.co.uk/kiltsandtartan/

The whole book is interesting, but if you start on pg. 40, it gives some info about different outfits and how they are characterized.

[Bugbear]

You are right, there is a mess of disagreement on this subject. I have tried to sort it out by sticking to the advice and posts of three or four spesific members, who know what they are talking about, when I read about formal attire. And that's all I've ever done: read about formal attire. When the experts start disagreeing, it's a monster, though.

[McMurdo]

OK here are a few photos to help you out

Black tie, most men in Black tie Highland wear will be wearing a Prince Charlie Jacket




White tie, there are several Doublets that are perfect for White tie, mine is a Montrose Doublet




Semi-Formal or smart day wear, an Argyll, Braemar, or Crail jacket with or without a waistcoat depending on the event with an appropriate sporran




Casual, just about anything goes for casual, however I always try to at least look well put together.




I hope this helps a bit.

[Cavebear58]

Very tidy. BTW I reckon the beard is pretty much an essential accessory to kilt wearing!

Cheers, Graham.

[Panache]

Dry Fly,

Since you said that photos would be helpful (and one must keep up with the McMurdos of the world ) I thought I would give you a visual tour of my take on the levels of formality in Highland Attire. I haven't attended a white tie event so I will leave that to the experts.


Burns Night Supper Outfit



What makes this formal?

PC Style Jacket and waist coat, cantled fur /hide sporran, satin bow tie, tux shirt, and fly plaid with large brooch. The fly plaid is really meant to be worn at extremely formal / special occasions such as a groom at his wedding. I was the Master of ceremonies for the night. (Beautiful Flame-Haired Celtic Amazon Goddess optional but highly desirable!)

Formal Scottish Country Dance



Same outfit sans the fly plaid and wearing dance ghillies.

At a church dance: Formal vs. Semi formal



My friend Andrew is sporting a formal Prince Charlie outfit while I am semi formal. I'm using the same sporran as in the pictures above but have traded the shirt and bow tie for a regular dress shirt and tie. Instead of a waistcoat I have a waist plate for my belt that matches the cantle of my sporran. (Lobster optional but really makes for a fun picture!)

Next up: Semi Formal

[Panache]

Outfit for the Ballet



Braemar jacket, tie, ghillie brogues. The sporran I am wearing has a leather cantle instead of metal. This older style of sporran works with all levels of dress. It looks equally good with a Prince Charlie jacket as it does with a polo shirt.

Anniversary Dinner



Basically the same outfit as above. The more formal sporran and matching waist plate make it (in my eyes) more formal than the prior outfit

To a Choir Concert



A similar outfit but slightly less formal. Regular dress shoes and my sporran is a leather semi formal one. Though it still has a chrome cantle the leather body makes it less formal than a fur one. The gray overcoat thing is an Inverness cape

Solstice Party Outfit



Comparing semi formal to smart day wear.

My friend Gryphonaire is wearing a black wool Argyll jacket to my simpler Crail styled tweed jacket. The tweed and the brown leather accessories mark my outfit as smart day wear. Gryphonaire wears a true semi formal sporran. Full mask sporrans, such as what I am wearing may be worn with all levels of formality of Highland dress


Daytime Holiday Party Outfit



At a distillery tour and tasting



The two outfits above are about as formal as one can get with a tweed coat

Next: Day wear