Oh! My turn! How'd I do?

[Laird_M]

Looks really smart mate, so don't worry about the shoes not matching you sporran.

We'd all need several pairs of brogues if we tried to match with our sporrans, and I don't think our wives would be too pleased if we rivalled them on that front...

[Grizzly]

Looking damn smart Matthew, that is exactly what i am looking for in my next purchase of a daywear jacket and vest/waistcoat. Well done sir.

[Tobus]

Just a quick question -- is the image reversed due to a mirror?

I'm thinking not. The buttons on the jacket and waistcoat appear to be on the correct side, so he is just wearing the bonnet reversed.

[saxandpipes]

Looks fantastic, well done!

Cheers,

Michael

[Ryan Ross]

Man- That is an incredibly slick kit, sir! Incredibly slick.

And also- I have no idea what you're talking about, because I think you're wearing that bonnet to perfection! If you want to cant is south paw style, go for it! If the sun/wind/rain are coming in from the left, it's nearly a necessity!

Cowher, don't let the smile police bother you! I'm firmly of the opinion that fake-smiling for photos is ridiculous and overrated. Not only can it make otherwise normal people look like deranged lunatics*, but it's a new tradition (only a couple of decades old) that needn't be followed. Go with the 19th-century and early 20th-century style. Either a neutral facial expression or a look of determination will serve you much better than a cheese-eating grin.

*disclaimer: a natural "in the moment" smile can be a good thing, but far too often people develop a contrived "photo smile" that looks nothing like them, and is never seen in normal life, making their photos look odd and grotesque. Let us rebel against this unnatural trend!

AMEN!!!

[ForresterModern]

Just a quick question -- is the image reversed due to a mirror? Traditionally, bonnets are pulled over the right ear, with the badge going on the left eye/side.

Todd,

I am with Tobus that the photo is not reversed---both jacket and vest button left over right, typical male standard; kilt pin is right lower on front apron as should be; I even think I can see the fringe of the front apron along the right side. Bonnet is pulled to left side of head.

Other than that, and maybe needing to show a smidgen of shirt sleeve at the cuffs, right smart look indeed, Cowher. And definitely an enviable find on the high quality jacket and waistcoat.

[macwilkin]

Todd,

I am with Tobus that the photo is not reversed---both jacket and vest button left over right, typical male standard; kilt pin is right lower on front apron as should be; I even think I can see the fringe of the front apron along the right side. Bonnet is pulled to left side of head.

Other than that, and maybe needing to show a smidgen of shirt sleeve at the cuffs, right smart look indeed, Cowher. And definitely an enviable find on the high quality jacket and waistcoat.

I concur wi' you both. I should have given it a more closer look.

T.

[SlackerDrummer]

That's a smart outfit, Cowher. And I completely agree with Ryan that the bonnet looks just fine. It's a hat. It goes on your head. Beyond that is pure personal preference.

[Joshua]

Hahaha! It must be a 19th-century inspired countenance!

At least you weren't doing something weird with your mouth, like I am doing in the photo below! What the heck was I doing?!

Cheers,

Or the camera flash gives you demon eyes... this was me before Burns dinner on Tuesday night...

P.S. I'm wearing brown+brass, except for my black leather shoes (my brown oxfords were too tight with the hose I chose to wear). I would have worn my waistcoat and bonnet but it was too dang hot.



I just realized... as I keep losing weight, my head stays the same size! I'M NO KIDDIN THAT'S A HUGE HEEED!

[Cowher]

I only have one comment and many would consider it a nitpick or simply personal preference----your bonnet is cocked to the left while most non-french wearers of the various styles of headgear based on the beret/balmoral typically (by all means not absolutely) cock it to the right. On a typical balmoral that would place the cockade over the left front temple, a military style beret would place the patch above the left eye except for the french, who wear it the other way with the patch above the right eye (to quote Dr Suess "I don't know why?"). On other highland bonnets or berets or tams without the cockade or tails/ribbons it doesn't really matter, and other recent threads have shown the highland bonnet (Ryan Ross style) in particular worn in a variety of styles---pulled to left, to right, forward, and just about everything in between.

Well done you.

jeff

I never knew that! Cool! In fact I never gave it a thought. I am left handed so maybe that's why I naturally put it on that way. But a good tip. I'm an artist and I think it's all the small details that gather up into the big picture. People will be able to tell it looks better but it's so subtle that they don't know why.
Thanks a ton for the positive critique!
As for the smile… I try but it always comes out like a triangle face. It scares me. (your highness -movie)