Less Can Be More

[O'Searcaigh]

You raise two issues here. The first is formality ...
The second issue is climate ... a few more pics.
I think the idea is to adapt to the weather while maintaining a generally traditional look:

Spot on! Wow, this has been a very helpful thread for me. Thanks for all the great pictures/examples.

Great thread this. I fully endorse the less is more train of thought, even so it is a fine line that we tread, between the more traditional and costume.

*** and yes Jock, that is precisely the point at issue for me. I want to be able to wear my kilt "comfortably" (because that is the main reason I wear one -- it is comfortable) but also want not to dishonor it's origins nor come off looking like I am dressed up for some kind of costume event but rather just be "respectfully natural" in whatever setting. Come to think of it, that's pretty much my over-all attitude for life!

[pbutts]

Interesting thread. As a newbie who already has some of the extra kit (sgian dubh, kilt pin, etc.) I probably won't totally forgo all of the traditional pieces, but this helps me think about jackets (which I do wear in my normal life ocassionally). I have two great Goodwill finds that I haven't had tailored yet and you've encouraged me to keep it simple and not do the whole pseudo-military epaulets and sleeves thing.

"Less is more" seems like a good place to start evaluating whether you are simply putting on clothing that just happens to include a kilt vs. putting on a costume.

There's an interesting discussion among the pipers on the Bob Dunsire forum about whether they prefer Balmorals or Glengarrys and several folks seemed to find even the standard Balmoral too "costume-y" and preferred to wear a simpler tam o'shanter.

[pbutts]

I can't believe no one has commented on the diced hose and running shoes? ;-)

[Dale Seago]

Many superb examples, and this is another very educational thread. I definitely incline toward a "less is more/keep it simple" approach as already noted. In most "everyday" settings in which I might find myself, if I went totally THCD I would generally find myself not only the only man kilted but the only one wearing a tie or waistcoat unless I were in San Francisco's financial district, and even there waistcoats are not a terribly common sight among men wearing suits.

Similarly, going out to dinner at a nice restaurant no neckties would likely be seen. Here I am at dinner in a pricy Italian restaurant with some of my buyu ("martial friends") at the end of a day thrashing on each other outdoors in the Marin Headlands. My jacket preference is for no epaulettes:





I've noticed that tweed jackets and pullover jumpers are common for casual wear; but something I also like but have almost never seen others wearing is something along the lines of a "casual/outdoor" jacket like this dark navy wool bomber from Filson. (Pic taken in December in Kashiwa, Japan, hence the also nontraditional slip-on shoes: The latter just "work better" over there.)

[TheOfficialBren]

I usually keep to the less-is-more mode of THCD with a contemporary nod, very similar to Dale, actually, especially his photo right above my post.

When snazzing up for swanky-casual I sometimes (not always) I wear a waistcoat over a nice dress shirt (with or without a tie---it's a California thing, guys) minus a jacket. It's he time of yest where no one wears them for any reason (heat) in my neck of the woods.

Shoes are always suited to the occasion, nice shoes for dressing up (appropriate clothes to match the occasion), casual shoes for casual occasions (often nice slip-on leather boots). I NEVER, EVER wear trainers with my kilts, though. If the occasion requires sportswear of any kind then I just wear athletic clothing and leave my kilt at home. If I participated in the Games then that would be an exception...but I don't, so I don't.

ALWAYS wearing proper kilt hose--no exceptions--and NEVER, (I repeat) NEVER scrunched down.

No sgian dubh, no kilt pin.

I feel that I take enough liberties with a slight Southern Californian flair that any more would move further away from THCD than I would be comfortable with.


Simple and understated. That's the way I roll.

[Peter Crowe]

Colin, this is a great thread and I agree that less can be more with THCD as well as many other things in life. My only caveat is that minimalism (IMHO) can become inverted ostentation which defeats the original purpose.

I like tweed day-wear and it has been the most consistent form of kilt attire that I have owned and worn since my boyhood. I have always worn the Argyll style of jacket with gauntlet cuffs (in lovat blue and lovat green) and never really thought about any other until I joined XMTS. I must admit I do like the Crail style of jacket, but my ideal for my next tweed day jacket is a brown herringbone tweed with hints of red carried by Rocky at USA kilts (won't be for a couple of years yet) with gauntlet cuffs, two fastening buttons and buttoned scalloped pocket flaps but sans epaulettes which I find superfluous and a five button waistcoat.

I have worn the kilt often with shirt sleeves and/or various woolen jumpers (sweaters) with more casual shoes (moccasins or monk-straps), as well as hiking boots, even with wellies and a wax jacket (for Scottish weather). I find that my THCD tastes are merely a kilted version of my regular clothing tastes which are heavily made up of tweed sports jackets or a navy blazer, cords, and/or chino type trousers.

[CMcG]

Colin, this is a great thread and I agree that less can be more with THCD as well as many other things in life. My only caveat is that minimalism (IMHO) can become inverted ostentation which defeats the original purpose.

...

You have a good point there, Peter, about extreme minimalism becoming ostentatious. I was wondering how long it would take for someone to point that out! There is a fashion trend in the kilt world towards monochromatic outfits, which are quite striking, but not quite what I'm talking about. Nor am I referring to a "kilt suit," where the kilt and jacket are made up in the same fabric. Not that there is anything wrong with these, but they aren't quite traditional enough for my taste at this point.

...

I have worn the kilt often with shirt sleeves and/or various woolen jumpers (sweaters) with more casual shoes (moccasins or monk-straps), as well as hiking boots, even with wellies and a wax jacket (for Scottish weather).I find that my THCD tastes are merely a kilted version of my regular clothing tastes which are heavily made up of tweed sports jackets or a navy blazer, cords, and/or chino type trousers.

I made a similar point about seeking a parallel between kilted and non-kilted attire, which makes for a more natural look. My caveat here is not to drag one's THCD down to the modern, relaxed standards of dress, but rather to have THCD bring one's overall standard up.

This is, of course, dependent on context and I'm not suggesting that people should put on a jacket and tie to go to a very informal event. And of course one needs to dress for the weather and terrain that they find themselves kilted in. Nonetheless, my experience is that kilt wearing has had a positive impact on my wardrobe in general, so I now have nicer, more traditional clothes to wear; a tattersall shirt and/or a repp tie looks just as good with p@nts as it does with a kilt

My point is that people shouldn't feel compelled to load up on all kinds of colours, patterns, and detailing, just because some people go for that very vibrant and bold type of THCD. It is possible to dress well -- and be traditional -- while still being somewhat reserved.

[OC Richard]

There is a fashion trend in the kilt world towards monochromatic outfits

Ugh... I love colour too much to have a very high opinion of this sort of outfit. Talk about matchy-matchy! The charcoal hose, jacket, and even matching tweed necktie!

Many pipers nowadays, for their solo outfits, wear all black: hose, plain black kilt, jacket, shirt, necktie. Too much for me.

[Jock Scot]

Well said OCR!

[Peter Crowe]

Well said OCR!

That deserves a Kyleism, Jock ***