Am I doing this right ?

[Tasty Rabbit]

I'm new to this & was hoping I could find out what I'm doing right , what I'm doing wrong , & what I could do better (cheaply of course ) before I go to an event with a hundred other kilted guys & embarrass myself with something silly like a backwards kilt .











I don't know if this jacket is right for converting to a kilt jacket . Also not sure if I have the pin is in the right spot or if the kilt is too high on the knee or not . In a couple of pics I noticed the kilt seemed to bunch up on the sporran chain . Any other critiques are more than welcome .

[John_Carrick]

I don't know if this jacket is right for converting to a kilt jacket. Also not sure if I have the pin is in the right spot or if the kilt is too high on the knee or not . In a couple of pics I noticed the kilt seemed to bunch up on the sporran chain . Any other critiques are more than welcome .[/QUOTE]

Hi there, looking very promising. You seem to be a natural.

The jacket would need to be converted (maybe try and source a cheap kilt jacket rather than spoil this one).

Kilt height and hose look spot on. The kilt pin should go where the USA kilts badge is, so I don't see where else you could put it other than where it is.

I would wear the sporran 2or 3 inches higher, then it might not bunch and also not fly around when you are walking.

Good job overall.

John

[Liam]

Since you've asked for advice I will give you my opinion. Not knowing what the event is, I will assume it is a Celtic festival, or Highland Games if 100 or so other kilted folks are to be there. You appear to be going for a casual look with the t-shirt, flat cap, and shades. I think they work well. The only thing that I would consider out of place is the "Saxon" jacket. I find they always look odd with a kilt, so would eliminate this or substitute a wind breaker or bomber length to go with the casual look.

Slainte...Bill

[sydnie7]

You're off to a great start!

At a glance, that jacket looks like a good contender for conversion but may be a touch more formal than the T-shirt calls for. I think Liam's suggestion of bomber or windbreaker is great.

To really get into details. . . move your flashes closer to your kneecap. Typically halfway between knee and side of leg, and a bit shorter (or, to show you are really "in the know," switch to plain knitted garters rather than the came-with-the-kilt tartan models). But the fact that I'm focused on that minor point shows how well you have done overall!

[Nile]

You really look great for that style. I too wore a Saxon jacket on a few occasions (until I got a kilt jacket) but, the problem with them is that they hide or conceal part of the kilt and, of course, you want the kilt to be the star. In the mean time, a saxon jacket might have to work if you need to wear one and the one you're wearing is nice. That said, have you considered a waistcoat? Though a waistcoat may not work with that t-shirt, it's a good alternative to a jacket if you want to step it up a little.

Overall your look is neat and trim, the kilt length falls at the top of the knee, your hose and shoes look good and the color balance (matching) is pleasing. That's all very well however, I think you need to shake it up a bit. I would like to see some contrast and/or some color perhaps in the hose or flashes, or maybe, the hat and add a contrasting pocket square. JMHO

Nile

[Chas]

Stop worrying - you're doing fine!

[Tasty Rabbit]

Thanks for the tips & compliments ! A casual look for Highland games , Celtic fests & celtic type music events was what I had in mind . I think it may serve well for hiking too .
As for spoiling the jacket , it is a nice Lands End jacket but I picked it up at a nifty thrift shop for price $10 . I do like the suggestion of the pocket square - didn't even think of that ! I don't normally dress up much so this is new to me .

[rlh2]

I agree with what's others have posted. You look great by the way.

[Nathan]

Your original question is, "Am I doing this right?"... well that really depends on what you mean. First of all, you objectively look good in the outfit so that's good.

However, if you're going for a "traditional look" or you wish to wear Highland attire as it is worn in the Highlands, I'd suggest a few changes. On the other hand, if you're trying to bring the kilt into your own contemporary style and aren't bothered by how the Highland gentry wear it, just keep on keeping on.

In case you are looking for how your look here diverges from how it's done in the Highlands (as I understand it anyway), there are a few small things to be aware of. On this site, people use THCD to denote Traditional Highland Civilian Dress or TCHD (Traditional Civilian Highland Dress)...

1) Some don't like tartan garter flashes. They're a rather new innovation, popularized by the rental industry.
2) Some don't like flat caps with the kilt. They aren't very traditional (a few photographic exceptions to the rule aside). Most Highlanders go hatless or with a traditional Highland bonnet of the balmoral or glengarry variety. The glen is typically worn by pipers, the balmoral by the rest of us.
3) The jacket cut, as has been previously mentioned. Unless you sew yourself, I wouldn't pay to have your jacket altered. It will never be quite right due to lower gorge and pockets etc.. not to mention that it may have a centre vent instead of side vents etc. You could easily spend more on jacket surgery than you'd pay for a used kilt jacket. Instead I'd watch ebay, craigslist, kijiji and here and wait until a good deal comes along on a tweed kilt jacket in your size. In the mean time, you can just rock a pullover/sweater/jumper or a shorter casual jacket. On the other hand, if you have the confidence or inclination, there are some good DIY threads on here that can help walk you through the jacket conversion.

Like I said, if you're not worried about how it's done in Scotland, just carry on and ask Rocky to pay you for modeling his brand so well ;)

[Stoo]

If you are happy, wear what you want with the kilt, ignore all the, the pin is 2mm too far too he left, the hose should be folded over an extra half inch. The kilt was and is a item of clothing that can be worn on a daily basis in place of trousers. It is not a uniform unless you are military or in a pipe band. Do what you want and be comfortable. I started off reading the does and dont's and then evolved into what I do now. I have the formal jacket and shoes, but also wear " ooh god forbid, a t-shirt untucked" and have had more positive than negative remarks (in fact only one person has commented, and he was drunk) even scots, have said how much they like to see a man in a kilt, and this is in the Black Country. Have fun, enjoy and ignore snobbery in all forms