My new Red Robertson

[Donnachaidh Drumair]

I waited ever so patiently, a month extra for navy hose here (my fault for not checking availability). Much to my pleasure, and I watched its travel daily, my basic shipping was expedited courtesy Scotweb!

Many at X Marks helped me with advice in ordering, with a special mention to AKScott. I'm quite pleased with this Balmoral in Locharron 16 oz wool.

After much fretting over the length, I think I made the right call. My only regret was the waist. Everyone says to measure snugly at your natural waist and warns not to use your pants' size, but I probably should have. It's a little tighter than snug.

But alas. That one is my fault and a lesson learned. Scotweb did a wonderful job, and I came to be familiar with their friendly customer service over the months!

It's just impossible to capture the vibrant colors in a photo, but these come closest.

[Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM]

Wow! That is quite nice looking -- and you do wear it well. Thanks for posting.
Rob.

[McElmurry]

The kilt looks great! As far as the waist measurement goes, it looks to my eye like you are wearing the kilt nearer you pants waist than your true waist. It looks like the top of the kilt (where your hands are) is nearer your true waist. The bottom of the kilt looks good now which would mean it will look too short if you put the buckles at the true waist. In the future, if you want a kilt you can wear with a PC jacket you need it to sit at the true waist with a rise of about 2 inches. The overall length will be longer than this kilt. If you like wearing the kilt at the pants waist then you need to measure the waist where you wear your pants.
But again, the kilt looks great!

[CMcG]

Donnachaidh Drumair, if it feels too snug, have you tried loosening up the straps a bit? The second strap (on the left) is superfluous and can actually be a bit constricting.

Over all, I really like the look. I'm generally not a fan of Glengarrys, but combined with the contemporary black on black of the shirt and tie, plus the tasteful lack of a belt, it really works. Good on you!

The kilt looks great! As far as the waist measurement goes, it looks to my eye like you are wearing the kilt nearer you pants waist than your true waist. It looks like the top of the kilt (where your hands are) is nearer your true waist. The bottom of the kilt looks good now which would mean it will look too short if you put the buckles at the true waist. In the future, if you want a kilt you can wear with a PC jacket you need it to sit at the true waist with a rise of about 2 inches. The overall length will be longer than this kilt. If you like wearing the kilt at the pants waist then you need to measure the waist where you wear your pants.
But again, the kilt looks great!

I agree that the kilt looks great, but I don't think the buckles look like they are at his pants waist at all. Perhaps the OP can comment?

[Donnachaidh Drumair]

Donnachaidh Drumair, if it feels too snug, have you tried loosening up the straps a bit? The second strap (on the left) is superfluous and can actually be a bit constricting.

Over all, I really like the look. I'm generally not a fan of Glengarrys, but combined with the contemporary black on black of the shirt and tie, plus the tasteful lack of a belt, it really works. Good on you!

Thanks! I don't really have a proper rest of the ensemble yet, so I took my band Glen and black shirt and tie to wear. I like Glens, but indeed, I need a balmoral. I need a proper white or blue dress shirt that doesn't poof out on me at the waist, as well.

Great tip about the second strap. I'd been wondering about loosening that a notch or two.

[Donnachaidh Drumair]

It looks like the top of the kilt (where your hands are) is nearer your true waist.

I was always under the impression from all my reading and researching, including "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt!" that you don't wear any of it over your ribs. If I took it any higher that's where it would be. That be my true waist. My pants are definitely worn much lower (I'm pretty lanky).

[Beardie Beastie]

Hi Donnachaidh, yes Robertson is one of the most striking tartans. It looks good with your black shirt and glengarry. It put me in mind of myself thirty years ago when I was hitch hiking in southern France wearing a red top, Robertson kilt and red socks, turned a few heads and actually caused a car accident!

regards beardie beastie

[Donnachaidh Drumair]

Hi Donnachaidh, yes Robertson is one of the most striking tartans. It looks good with your black shirt and glengarry. It put me in mind of myself thirty years ago when I was hitch hiking in southern France wearing a red top, Robertson kilt and red socks, turned a few heads and actually caused a car accident!

I figure with the loud and bright Robertson to just go all out, it's the fun of the tartan! I've had bedeviled notions of going all red too. I even bought some cheap red hose (tall socks from SportKilt) for such an occasion until I can afford red diced or custom tartan ones. ;-)

And thanks for the compliments. I'll get an Argyll jacket and proper fitting vest too, but I didn't think the black-on-black and navy hose too atrocious for this occasion.

[creagdhubh]

I was always under the impression from all my reading and researching, including "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt!" that you don't wear any of it over your ribs. If I took it any higher that's where it would be. That be my true waist. My pants are definitely worn much lower (I'm pretty lanky).

J. 'Scotty' Thompson's book is to be taken with a grain of salt. I too own his book, but have come to find most of the information presented is heavily biased and rubbish - just my opinion. I bought his book years ago when I was around 13 or 14 years old. I find that informative outlets such as this forum, with so many perspectives and quality information in regards to Highland dress and the manner of wearing it correctly, is far superior to almost any book on the subject. Again, just my opinion. I think your kilt looks very smart and agree, the third strap is indeed superfluous - matter of fact, I recently sent several kilts to our own Matthew Newsome to have the third strap removed entirely. I had already removed the belt loops as well, as I do not wear a belt with the kilt any longer.

Cheers,

[Donnachaidh Drumair]

J. 'Scotty' Thompson's book is to be taken with a grain of salt. I too own his book, but have come to find most of the information presented is heavily biased and rubbish - just my opinion. I bought his book years ago when I was around 13 or 14 years old. I find that informative outlets such as this forum, with so many perspectives and quality information in regards to Highland dress and the manner of wearing it correctly, is far superior to almost any book on the subject. Again, just my opinion. I think your kilt looks very smart and agree, the third strap is indeed superfluous - matter of fact, I recently sent several kilts to our own Matthew Newsome to have the third strap removed entirely. I had already removed the belt loops as well, as I do not wear a belt any longer.

Cheers,

I concur, of course. I didn't agree with everything he said, and would err towards this forum's consensus over a book's, which is bound to date itself regardless of personal opinions therein. But I was looking for something "authoritative" and have seen little to contradict it in regards to general area of wear on the natural waist (for full weight, full yardage traditional kilt anyway).

I took some advice from here on belts (and ignored it per dark hose in this instance, I have lighter pairs). I clearly thought the belt was too much in this case. When drumming in a band or with a piper or two and in dressier situations, I'll keep it around, but I was quite pleased at how much I enjoyed the look sans buckle.

And thank you very much! I'm even more happy with the kilt, if that was possible, after all the compliments!