Questions on attire

**rmckay** · 19th March 11, 01:27 PM

Ok the only way I have ever worn my kilt is in a very casual manner during the day at various highland games, but I am wanting to start wearing it more when out and about at other events. For most of these instances I think I have a good grasp of what should be worn, but there is one event that my wife and I go to every year that I'm just not sure what attire I should be wearing. The easiest thing to do is just describe the event and see what folks think.

It will be an evening party thrown by a group of doctors and there is no rule as to what to wear such as formal or casual. I have seen people in jeans and a tshirt all the way up to some in tux and tails. Most seemed to be dressed in a suit and tie that are a bit more than just a business suit. I am wanting to look nice without going overboard, and still be wearing the kilt correctly since it is more than just going to the games or hanging out with my friends.

I hope some of you might have some suggestions on what direction i should be heading. Thanks. If you have any question about something just let me know and i'll try to answer as best I can.

**Jock Scot** · 19th March 11, 02:00 PM

Alright, imagine Jock from Scotland is going to the same event. Now I don't have a clue about the climate, so bare that in mind. But this is what I would wear. In truth, I would not wear the kilt unless I was specifically asked to by the host. I am in foreign lands after all. So OK, I HAVE been asked to wear the kilt!

OK here we go and this is not the time to wear kilt attire in a sloppy way! Black well polished brogues(NOT those dreadful ghillie things), solid coloured hose(not white) worn at the correct height, solid flashes, my tartan kilt, black leather day sporran, white shirt( a tattersall shirt would do), regimental style tie, TWEED argyll and waistcoat. I would leave the waist coat behind if it was hot. How does that sound?

**Woodsheal** · 19th March 11, 02:14 PM

Jock will steer you straight! I agree that tweedy "daywear" is the way to go....

**Riverkilt** · 19th March 11, 04:07 PM

You don't mention your kilt's origins. Sounds like a place to wear a well sewn kilt rather than a kilt you paid less than $100 for.

A hand sewn tank speaks for itself - and speaks loudly....as does a $30 acrylic kilt.

**Really a McQueen** · 19th March 11, 05:28 PM

Prehaps, we need an "Ask Jock" thread sticky posted for a while.

Thank you Jock for your sage advice. May I throw another question your way (and to the rest of the rabble as well)? I will be attending a friend's wedding in June, and she has asked me to wear my kilt. My only sporran is a dark brown leather, day type. Considering the MacQueen tartan, would that sporran work with black brogues, or should I go with my medium brown ones? Or should I purchase a black, day sporran since I still have a couple of months before the date of the wedding.

**davidlpope** · 19th March 11, 05:40 PM

Shoes should be black. Sporran should be brown. Forgo the desire to match sporran to belt to sporran strap to shoes.

**Cygnus** · 19th March 11, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

Shoes should be black. Sporran should be brown. Forgo the desire to match sporran to belt to sporran strap to shoes.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that shoes should be black. Shoes with highland dress tend to be black, but that's certainly not the rule.

I'm a big proponent of ensuring that my belt and shoes match when wearing "lowland" clothing, but when it comes to kilted attire, shoes, sporran, and belt (if worn) need not match; though they can if you prefer.

**davidlpope** · 19th March 11, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by Cygnus

I wouldn't go so far as to say that shoes should be black. Shoes with highland dress tend to be black, but that's certainly not the rule.

Of course- there are no rules!

That being said, I've never seen a photo of a Highlander in Scotland wearing other than black shoes with the kilt. You may have some examples that I've missed, though. Lord Polwarth wears oxblood brogues, but I suspect that he's trying to offer some contrast to the black and white shepherd's check kilt that he wears....

**rmckay** · 19th March 11, 06:27 PM

@Riverkilt the kilt I will be wearing is a hand sewn Ancient MacKay.

Thank you all for the responses.

@ Jock I've never owned the type of shirt you are talking about, a tattersall, I looked them up online. I am going to go on the assumption that it should be a mainly white with the other colors at least going with the tartan colors or does that really matter? The tweed jacket and waistcoat, should they both be tweed or can the waistcoat be a different material. The shoes I may have to deal with those dreadful ghillie things, lol, I got a pair of them a while back on clearance and may not be able to afford anything else. I hope you wont look down on me to much for that.

Sorry for all the questions, I'll probably have a hundred more between now and then, but I have a very limited budget to accomplish this and I want to do it as right as I can.

**Jock Scot** · 20th March 11, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by Really a McQueen

Prehaps, we need an "Ask Jock" thread sticky posted for a while.

Thank you Jock for your sage advice. May I throw another question your way (and to the rest of the rabble as well)? I will be attending a friend's wedding in June, and she has asked me to wear my kilt. My only sporran is a dark brown leather, day type. Considering the MacQueen tartan, would that sporran work with black brogues, or should I go with my medium brown ones? Or should I purchase a black, day sporran since I still have a couple of months before the date of the wedding.

Black brogues and brown sporran will be fine. To my mind, if the budget can stretch a bit then a black sporran would be even better. I have said it before, if your budget is tight and can only afford one sporran then in my opinion the black sporran is the most versatile.