wearing the great kilt

**Thistle Stop** · 16th March 05, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Andrew Breecher

Now to wear a top hat is considered more of a statement or a bit of fancy dress. You'd never seriously wear a top hat to a formal function.

I don't mean to be argumentative here, but a top hat is still worn with certain formal attire in Britain -- and a grey one is considered de rigeur for Ascot Week. The bowler is still worn as a normal (as opposed to anachronistic or fancy dress) style, too.

Of course, neither hat is worn with the kilt!

**Thistle Stop** · 16th March 05, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

I know another gent who wears a top hat with his formal attire, and again, no one, to my knowledge has ever said anything negative to him. A lot of people comment that it's nice to see someone practicing the "old ways".

Come to think of it, there really is no other type of hat to wear with formal dress such as a dinner jacket (tuxedo) or morning coat (cutaway), is there? (Unless it's under an academic gown with a 'mortarboard' or other sort of academic headwear on top!) What else would be suitable to black- or white-tie? And certainly with a cravat!

**Andrew Breecher** · 16th March 05, 10:39 AM

Oh, I know both the bowler derby and the top hat are still worn, but as you said the top hat is usually worn with "certain formal wear" and at "Ascot Week" - effectively relegating it to a costume item. Just like the great kilt, which is most often worn to Highland festivals.

I'm not trying to be argumentative either, I'm just pointing out that what was once common is no longer so. Of course people still wear top hats, bowlers (I've got one too, though I don't wear it with a kilt, which means I don't wear it; I also have both a brown and a black fedora, which I also don't wear with a kilt), and people also still wear the great kilt, but none of them are really modern dress anymore - they're a throwback to another era.

Andrew.

**Dreadbelly** · 16th March 05, 01:13 PM

People who know me here already know how I feel about the great kilt.

I love em.

Would wear them as daily wear. In the winter months of course.

Something distinguished and primal... Powerful in the look and hang.

Given my savage and beastial look with my dreadlocks and beardlocks, I imagine I would scare the bejeezus out of folk where I live wearing one.

**dano9672** · 28th April 05, 06:34 AM

Originally Posted by Hamish

Well, let me put it this way: the Great Kilt is not a practical garment in this day and age (unless you are going to be sleeping rough on open mountain sides

). That is why the small kilt came into being.

I suppose it all boils down to what you intend doing whilst 'casually' dressed. Standing around looking gorgeous is one thing, but getting on with life is another!

Really, I am sorry if I am appearing to be somewhat blunt, but I just cannot identify with your passion for the Great Kilt, since I am not involved with historical re-enactments or theatrical performances.

Well, I have a great kilt and wear it for re-enactments. One has to remember that the great kilt evolved from the 'brat', a short cloak worn by the Celts that migrated from Ireland. In inclement weather it was a great and versatile garment, but in warm weather or in battle the great kilt was doffed. A 'common' highlander before 1400 went into battle wearing little more than a leine (shirt) and sometimes much less. I am currently researching highland dress c.1530 and have very little to go on, but even the great kilt didn't appear until the 1590's.

**beerbecue** · 28th April 05, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by Kilt Wilter

Given my savage and beastial look with my dreadlocks and beardlocks, I imagine I would scare the bejeezus out of folk where I live wearing one.

Alright, you really need to get a gallery up!!!!

I was just thinking this morning about buying some tartan for a great kilt..... I figure it would be a blast to wear one to certain events....

**Woodsheal** · 29th April 05, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by "dano9672

I am currently researching highland dress c.1530 and have very little to go on, but even the great kilt didn't appear until the 1590's.

I think it's more accurate to say that great kilts didn't appear in DOCUMENTS until the 1590's, which means it's safe to say they were being worn for some time prior to being written about by some foreign observer! As early as the 1530's? Who knows, but it is not out of the realm of possibility....

**dano9672** · 2nd May 05, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

Originally Posted by dano9672

I am currently researching highland dress c.1530 and have very little to go on, but even the great kilt didn't appear until the 1590's.

I think it's more accurate to say that great kilts didn't appear in DOCUMENTS until the 1590's, which means it's safe to say they were being worn for some time prior to being written about by some foreign observer! As early as the 1530's? Who knows, but it is not out of the realm of possibility....

Oh, I'm sure somebody belted his brat long before that to keep it from tangling in the heather, and it's not too much of a stretch to say they probably started pleating them that early as well. That's MY story, anyway.