Critique my Summer Kilt Wear II

**piperdbh** · 24th July 11, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by Nick the DSM

Does one have to be a gentleman to look nice? Or to be traditional?

No, but it helps.

CMcG,
Everybody else has already told you more than enough, but I'd say, if it were me doing it, and the temperature were 84 F (ooohhh, that would be nice), and I were going "casual", I'd probably wear a short-sleeved shirt, too, and no waistcoat, and sandals. Oh wait, xman beat me to it.

**CMcG** · 27th July 11, 01:01 PM

After successfully defending my first (of two) PhD comprehensive exams yesterday, I finally had time to try out some of your suggestions.

There were a couple things that didn't work for me. Shirt sleeves rolled up without a vest looked very sloppy to my eye. This leads me to think that a short sleeve shirt without a vest is preferable for very HOT weather.

I tried not wearing a belt with both a short sleeve shirt and also rolled sleeve shirt with unbuttoned waistcoat. Didn't like the way that looked on me either... somehow a belt just finishes the look and, besides, I don't notice a significant difference in the heat value.

A few people suggested different flashes: less bright green or a contrasting colour like yellow. I don't have yellow but I tried red and dark green. They all look equally good to me but I'll let you all be the judge.

I think I like the look of a rolled sleeve shirt with a waistcoat better than short sleeves. Waistcoat buttoned or unbuttoned both seem to work. A plain black waistcoat does seem to look more casual and suited to the look than the tweed vest (with scalloped pockets) I was wearing in the OP.

One final observation. All my casual shirts seem to have either button down collars, breast pockets or both! FYI the rolled sleeve I'm wearing in the pics below is a sheppard check.

Are the following looks better? Anyone have a favourite?

**creagdhubh** · 27th July 11, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

After successfully defending my first (of two) PhD comprehensive exams yesterday, I finally had time to try out some of your suggestions.

There were a couple things that didn't work for me. Shirt sleeves rolled up without a vest looked very sloppy to my eye. This leads me to think that a short sleeve shirt without a vest is preferable for very HOT weather.

I tried not wearing a belt with both a short sleeve shirt and also rolled sleeve shirt with unbuttoned waistcoat. Didn't like the way that looked on me either... somehow a belt just finishes the look and, besides, I don't notice a significant difference in the heat value.

A few people suggested different flashes: less bright green or a contrasting colour like yellow. I don't have yellow but I tried red and dark green. They all look equally good to me but I'll let you all be the judge.

I think I like the look of a rolled sleeve shirt with a waistcoat better than short sleeves. Waistcoat buttoned or unbuttoned both seem to work. A plain black waistcoat does seem to look more casual and suited to the look than the tweed vest (with scalloped pockets) I was wearing in the OP.

One final observation. All my casual shirts seem to have either button down collars, breast pockets or both! FYI the rolled sleeve I'm wearing in the pics below is a sheppard check.

Are the following looks better? Anyone have a favourite?

You look great in each photo Colin, well done! Good luck on your second PhD exam - I'll be there too...one day soon!

Cheers,

**saxandpipes** · 27th July 11, 01:31 PM

I do prefer these options to the first.

Well done, looks great!

Cheers,

Michael

**Spartan Tartan** · 27th July 11, 04:08 PM

I like the short sleeved blue shirt. Looks real good.

**English Bloke** · 27th July 11, 01:57 PM

All three are absolutely fine Colin. No preference. Even the grey socks look good.

The thing I like about these threads is it gives you a chance to try before you buy. To look at, and evaluate what other people are doing before making a hash of it myself. I understand that the traditional way of dressing in Highland terms is to look at the wall while you scrabble about in the wardrobe and put on whatever comes out (sorry Jock

I'm paraphrasing.) but probably because I don't have a lifetime of kilting experience behind me, I can't help but attempt to put at least a bit of a ponder into what I wear.

Often as I dress meeself, I'll go "nope, not that shirt" or "Naaa' those socks ain't workin' " and this sort of thread is a help because it puts a number of images in my head (do's and don'ts in respect of what might work for me) before I start the usual dance of the quick-changes. It will save me lots of put it on, take it off time in the future so I am appreciative of everyone else's efforts. Ta!

By the way. Speaking of buying, has anyone noticed that when looking at clothes in shops, the first consideration is "will it work with the Kilt"? Or is it just me?

**CMcG** · 27th July 11, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

<snip>
The thing I like about these threads is it gives you a chance to try before you buy. To look at, and evaluate what other people are doing before making a hash of it myself.

...

By the way. Speaking of buying, has anyone noticed that when looking at clothes in shops, the first consideration is "will it work with the Kilt"? Or is it just me?

I'm glad this sort of thread is useful for you English Bloke, because it definitely is for me and I bet for others as well. Thanks for your comments

And yes, I also find myself evaluating most clothing from the "will it work with the kilt?" perspective. With a small apartment and a smaller budget, clothes that can do double duty are essential to me!

**MacMillans son** · 27th July 11, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

All three are absolutely fine Colin. No preference. Even the grey socks look good.

The thing I like about these threads is it gives you a chance to try before you buy. To look at, and evaluate what other people are doing before making a hash of it myself. I understand that the traditional way of dressing in Highland terms is to look at the wall while you scrabble about in the wardrobe and put on whatever comes out (sorry Jock

I'm paraphrasing.) but probably because I don't have a lifetime of kilting experience behind me, I can't help but attempt to put at least a bit of a ponder into what I wear.

Often as I dress meeself, I'll go "nope, not that shirt" or "Naaa' those socks ain't workin' " and this sort of thread is a help because it puts a number of images in my head (do's and don'ts in respect of what might work for me) before I start the usual dance of the quick-changes. It will save me lots of put it on, take it off time in the future so I am appreciative of everyone else's efforts. Ta!

By the way. Speaking of buying, has anyone noticed that when looking at clothes in shops, the first consideration is "will it work with the Kilt"? Or is it just me?

Ditto for me John. I lay out a kilt, two or three pair of hose, and two or three shirts, do a little mixing and matching on the table, and pick the combo I think looks best together. As I work through the various combos in my closet, it gets easier as I can rule out some previous attempts that didn't make the cut. Native Highlanders had the benefit of elders as they were growing up kilted, and I have you guys!!

CMcG, I like these recent combos much better than the first go 'round. Although my personal taste is for the waistcoat to be buttoned, or not worn at all. I think the rolled sleeves and no necktie is congruent with the plain waistcoat, it is not an uncommon casual look here in the States. And, the short sleeve and kilt is a look I wear often in a casual or work setting, just not with a waistcoat. I too tend to wear a belt almost always, when not wearing a waistcoat that is. I just like the look better on me, an exception may be when hiking sometimes.

I too want to second John's thank you for your willingness to post the photos (you have done this more than once for us) as I too learn a lot from seeing things on others and reading comments/critiques from other's posts.

Good on ya!

**Dale Seago** · 27th July 11, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

I think I like the look of a rolled sleeve shirt with a waistcoat better than short sleeves.

With a waistcoat, yes -- I agree.

Are the following looks better? Anyone have a favourite?

I think all three look perfectly fine! I find that I like #2 just a smidge better than #1, though they're both great, and it took me a few minutes to figure out why. Seems that if due to heat, or even just being very informal, you're going to go sans necktie and with rolled sleeves, keeping the vest buttoned up seems to contradict either idea -- seems like you're "sending mixed signals": Trying to be sensitive and open, but not letting anyone get to your soft creamy center. As for wearing the belt with the open waistcoat. . .Hmm. Yes, I think it would look equally good with or without the belt.

And the short-sleeved shirt and belt, sans waistcoat, for really warm weather? Yes, I agree completely.

**tpa** · 27th July 11, 04:00 PM

I have worn both short sleeve shirts without waistcoat and polo shirts in warmer weather and both have met with the only approval that matters - my wife. Of the 3 pictures, I don't think buttoning the waist coat is going to help if it is hot although it looks ok, if a little more formal. Just not my choice.