One kilt, several looks. A canny Scot's take.

[Calgacus]

I decided I’d post a few pictures to show how I wear my kilt and tailor the look to a variety of situations. I believe in quality over quantity and that in general more is less, so you’ll see that I’m re-using many items from shot to shot and only changing a few items at a time to change the look. I do have a few more kilt related items in my wardrobe, but what you see in the following photos is 95% of what I ever actually wear when kilted.

Please remember that this is just one Scot’s take on how to dress in his native land.

1. Formal

I have no requirement for white tie, having only ever been to one white tie event in my life, so I don’t have much call for doublets or lace jabots & cuffs. The most formal level of dress I have is black tie.

1a. Prince Charlie

2014-05-17 17.39.03 by Richard the Rogue, on Flickr

The Prince Charlie jacket gets a bit of a hard time now and again due to its ubiquity, but I like its sharp lines and think it suits my build.

1b. Black Barathea Argyll

2014-05-17 17.43.53 by Richard the Rogue, on Flickr

Another possibility for black tie events is the Argyll jacket paired with a three buttoned waistcoat. This combination can be more flattering than the Prince Charlie for those of a larger build. All other items are the same, I’ve just changed jacket.

Bonus look!

2014-05-17 17.47.52 by Richard the Rogue, on Flickr

The question has been asked on these forums as to what one should wear with the kilt when the weather is inclement. If I were dressed in evening wear and had to protect myself from the elements I might wear the above overcoat and bonnet. I stress however that Scotland’s mild climate, when combined with the invention of the motor car, mean that I have never actually been required to wear such an outfit. I should also add that before getting dressed I’d be sure to iron my shirt first.

Kilt-8 yard 16oz wool, hand sewn from Philip King, Aberdeen
Jackets & waistcoats- Pure new wool from McCall’s, Aberdeen
Bow tie- silk, self-tie
Sporran- Black Mink from Black Isle Pewter
Brogues- Loake
Overcoat- Pure new wool from Crombie, Aberdeen

2. Non-black tie evening wear

2014-05-17 18.02.17 by Richard the Rogue, on Flickr

Strictly speaking this look is not actually required as the tweed Argyll (below) is perfectly appropriate for all non-black tie situations, however I feel it has its place, and I’d wear this for example to an office dinner-dance where the dress code is ‘lounge suit’. I’m still wearing the same shirt with French cuffs, I’ve just changed the tie and the waistcoat. I’ve also dropped the diamond pattern hose for a plain charcoal in order to tone things down.

*Edit* As MacRobert correctly points out below, this level of dress is considered the equivalent of 'morning dress' and is suitable for such occasions.

3. Daywear

2014-05-17 18.17.23 by Richard the Rogue, on Flickr

For daywear I have replaced the jacket with a tweed Argyll and the shirt with an Oxford shirt with barrel cuffs. A Tattersall shirt would be rather nicer than the white I have chosen here. I don’t have a waistcoat to match this jacket so I’m wearing a leather belt with brass buckle. The sporran matches the belt. I’ve finished the look off with a pair of blue hose and an antler handled sgian dubh.

Bonus look!

2014-05-17 18.18.11 by Richard the Rogue, on Flickr

Not something I’d personally be likely to wear, except possibly to a highland gathering if I was feeling adventurous, but I’ve included it for those of you who like bells & whistles. I think a Glengarry suits me better than a Balmoral, and the cromach isn’t actually mine, it belongs to my girlfriend(don’t ask!) Most of the time I’d probably not bother with the sgian dubh either, it’s only really good for putting dimples in my leg.

Jacket from Kirk Wynd Highland House, Kirkaldy
Belt & sporran- Dark Havana leather & brass from McRostie of Glasgow
Hose- Harris Ancient Blue, House of Cheviot
Sgian Dubh- Cameron Thomson, Horn Carver, Lawers

4. Casual

2014-05-17 18.22.46 by Richard the Rogue, on Flickr

Here I’ve simply replaced the jacket with a woollen jumper (sweater). I could go further and wear a t-shirt, losing the shirt & tie, and in fact that’s what I’d normally do. I had actually meant to replace my brogues with a pair of smart black leather trainers (sneakers) for this and subsequent shots, but I forgot!

Bonus look!

2014-05-17 18.27.35 by Richard the Rogue, on Flickr

I have a couple of Barbour jackets and although not designed for wearing with a kilt, both work well enough, and are what I would wear if required over my jumper. I’ve chosen this one as the zip also opens from the bottom, allowing it to work better with a sporran. It’s the jacket I wear when I take Lucy the crazy cocker out for her walks, so when she saw me put it on she suddenly took interest in what I was doing. Of the two of us, I often wonder who's the smarter one.

5. Hillwalking (hiking)

2014-05-17 18.46.05 by Richard the Rogue, on Flickr

As you might already know I love nothing better than getting out and about in the beautiful Scottish highlands. In this shot I’m wearing a Nightstalker nylon sporran and some loop knit walking hose along with my regular hillwalking kit. I think my kilt has slipped south an inch, but never mind.

Sporran- Nylon Nightstalker from Stillwater Kilts

I did a quick calculation of the cost of all kilt-specific items shown and it came to just under £2,000 at today’s prices. Most of the items are 5-10 years old, but some are over 25 years old.

[McMurdo]

Wonderful photos and descriptions to go with it.

[KentuckyCeltophile]

You look very sharp! Nice pics and the descriptions were very helpful.
Thanks so much.
KC

[MacKenzie]

Nicely done. Thank you.

[MacRobert's Reply]

Smart lad ... very well turned out and an example to us all!

I would only take issue with your description of "2. Non-black tie evening wear" which I think is actually morning dress. Just the job at a posh wedding or a royal garden party where morning dress is being worn.

[hector]

Thank you Sir for your very educative contribution. I appreciate this very much. Each of these dressing styles are very attractive.

[WillowEstate]

Magic! Just goes to show you can cover all situations without a massive wardrobe - I'm a minimalist myself. Thanks for sharing.

[Calgacus]

Smart lad ... very well turned out and an example to us all!

I would only take issue with your description of "2. Non-black tie evening wear" which I think is actually morning dress. Just the job at a posh wedding or a royal garden party where morning dress is being worn.

You are of course quite correct. Sadly, I am rarely invited to such occasions!

[tulloch]

Too little dog for my taste but you have really shown a lot there. Thanks. Very sharp. Nice kilt.

[mookien]

Richard: Great pics, not to mention all the others on your Flickr site. I can only imagine how difficult they were to stage and take. They will provide lots of ideas and food for thought. Thanks for posting and for going to all the trouble.

I suggest that this thread be made a sticky after the fashion of the Panache and McMurdo threads. It will be most helpful in the same way those were, ie to provide lots of good ideas to X-Markers about how to wear the kilt.

Slainte!

John