Boot color

[TMcAdams]

Hey all
I'm havin a hard timne choosing what color boot to buy for my kilt. The boots come in brown or black. I wear the MacGregor plaid and it looks like...


The boots look like...

Was leanin toward black, but wonder what you guys thought?
Thanks
Thom

[xman]

I would think about coordinating the boots with the rest of the outfit rather than the tartan. That aside, I think I like the black better.

[bchunter]

I agree with Xman

[JSFMACLJR]

I don't mean to give offence, but why are you planning to wear moccasins like this with the kilt? Wouldn't shoes be a much better choice?

[toadinakilt]

I don't mean to give offence, but why are you planning to wear moccasins like this with the kilt? Wouldn't shoes be a much better choice?

I actually have that exact set of moccasin boots in black, specifically for wearing with my kilts. While they may look a little "costumey" they are comfortable, and usually get positive comments. You might not think it, but they look pretty good with a kilt, despite being non-traditional.

My $0.02.

[AFS1970]

I discovered how comfortable they are almost by accident. Since mine came out of a western wear catalog before these were all the rage at Ren Faires, they actually have fringe that hangs down from the top making them look a bit less Scottish (if that is even possible). While I know they are not historical, neither is that denim jacket the piper has on, and neither is much of what is worn at Ren Faires. By the way, the hiking boots are probably more acceptable to the modernists but about as historical as the moccasins, so go with what works.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Thom, I really don't think it matters all that much, since boots of that type (or any type, really) were never worn with the kilt in Scotland. That said, I suspect the brown boots would probably look a bit better, and would likely be a tad more versatile.

[Riverkilt]

Never say never. This pic was taken at Culloden. Shows the black boots with a different tartan, but may give you an idea of the look.



I'm with XMan too. Match the moccasin leather to the rest of your turnout rather than the tartan colors.

[macbheatha]

Never say never. This pic was taken at Culloden. Shows the black boots with a different tartan, but may give you an idea of the look.



I'm with XMan too. Match the moccasin leather to the rest of your turnout rather than the tartan colors.

I think he pulls this off quite well. Denim jacket with the kilt works almost as well as a leather bike jacket. Far better than some of the pseudo-Jacobite nonsense people insist on wearing...

[McElmurry]

Never say never. This pic was taken at Culloden. Shows the black boots with a different tartan, but may give you an idea of the look.



I'm with XMan too. Match the moccasin leather to the rest of your turnout rather than the tartan colors.

The jacket is clearly circa 1970 modern western wear. I owned several of these jackets as a youth. Early on I wore high-topped Converse tennis shoes in black, since it was the only color Converse made at the time. Later on I paired the same style jacket with slip-on steel-toed work boots in brown, similar to cowboy boots but with more room in the toe. If it was cold I would wear a fiberfill stuffed vest with a large blue and black pattern. In this instance it is permissible to wear a belt with the vest.

The period correct bifurcated garment would be Levis brand five pocket 501 shrink to fit dungarees with 5 buttons on the fly. The buttons should match the jacket. While the hose would not normally be visible during the work day, the period correct style would be white socks over the calf with three bright horizontal stripes of complimentary colors at the top of the calf. When the Levis wore out the legs were often cut off to form a style of shorts called “cutoffs.” After cutting off the legs a row of stitching should be placed about 3/8ths of an inch above the cut to keep the fringe at the optimal length. When wearing cutoffs it would be important to match the stripes on the socks with the shirt.

Depending upon the work site the correct head wear would be a white full-brimmed hard hat or a baseball cap. The bill of the baseball cap should be curved or alternatively tri-fold and the bill should be centered over the eyes. A flat bill and /or an off center bill is a more recent urban affectation as is wearing the hat with the tag still attached. For backpacking a red felt crusher hat could be worn. A headband hand made from cinnamon or blackjack chewing gum wrappers makes a nice addition to the hat. This style of hat was particularly popular with girls at church camp who kept stealing mine. Since I was only 11 at the time I was a little unclear on exactly why they wanted me to chase them.