'Ultra' Casual Kilt Wear

[adempsey10]

Ive been searching through the forums with regard to what is everyone's preferred 'look' in a kilt is. Ive seen lots of posts that refer to 'casual' wear, but for me many still seem fairly dressed up. The jacobite look, for example, I find it to be a little too costume-y and not necessarily casual. At least in the sense that it looks like someone put effort into looking that way. I don't see too many posts or discussions about wearing kilts as if they were jeans. My personal preference is a black Clash (or as you'll see in the picture, Dr. Strangelove) t-shirt with my kilt and a pair of grey Converse high-tops. Or if I have a solid colour kilt, I like to reverse and wear a plaid flannel button-up with a solid black x-kilt.

As far as dressed up goes, I'm not a big fan of the traditional Prince Charlie look with the Ghillies. I often wear my black watch with a sharp grey button up, tie and occasionally a suit jacket.

I was hoping there would be other like-minded individuals who would be interested in sharing their preferences for the casual kilt-as-jeans and a t-shirt look. See pictures for better examples. The selfie is a shot of me and my kilt at work.


IMG_2734.jpgIMG_2710.jpgIMG_2701.jpg

[Chas]

It is certainly a look. Not one that I particularly like, but each to their own. The danger of ultra casual is that it can cross the border into scruffy or slovenly. Not that it is happening here, but to my eye - you're very close.

I would suggest tucking in upper garments and go for high-waisted jackets (the old-fashioned bum freezer), would still give casual without being sloppy.

Regards

Chas

[Jock Scot]

To my, apparently, arch traditionalist eyes, I agree with Chas that you are sailing along a very thin line between casual and------. Still each to their own.

[Pipersson]

Whatever one is comfortable with.
Do as you like. The scale of kilt occasions is very wide....

:-)

[Grizzly]

I have to agree with Chas and Jock above. But on the other hand we are on the wrong side of 50 so tradition means a lots to us. Your look could very well keep kilt wearing alive well in to the future and us old boys could well be the photos that you look at 30 years from now showing how the kilt used to be worn.

[Stan]

Hi Adempsy, and let me throw my 2 cents worth in.

I think that you've accomplished the "jeans look", in a great way. And while I'm more in favor (my personal taste) of a more traditional look, I think that you have accomplished your goal.

I also think that your wearing of "the kilt" and how you chose to do so, is reflective of your age, just as my preferences are (probably) a result, and reflection of mine.

I don't find your "look" offensive, and think that you look absolutely age appropriate. I'm also of the of the opinion that as time progresses you're taste will probably change, and as a result your chosen "look" may change too.

Not as in "change to the better" but simply "change". After a few years it's easy to get board with "a look". It's the same reason that I don't have long hair any more either. Not that I never will again, but I just got tired of it.

The fact that you like wearing your kilt (s) and do, is in my opinion a great step towards helping to keep the tradition alive. I'm willing to bet that whether or not you know it, your style is showing other people (in your age group) that kilts are cool, and any one wearing a kilt (casual or traditional) is (normally) at the front of the pack, and self confident.

This thread kind of reminds me of "Pakistani kilt vs. hand made Scottish kilt" conversations. I started off with a few Pakistani kilts, and then migrated into a closet full of Scottish hand made wool kilts. Things just changed....It could be, that some time in the future your taste will change too.

On my front, and in my book, I'm giving you two thumbs up. Personally I'm still trying to find some shoes that will go well with a "casual look" for me, with out making me look like some who's not "age appropriate".

BTW, I like wearing my kilts (casual look) with kilt hose, flashes, sporran, and either a T-shirt, a rugby shirt, or a short sleeve knit shirt. Most of the time I tuck my shirt in. I just think that it looks better on me that way.

I have black "jungle boots" and all the rest, but wearing them with my kilts just isn't me. I think that boots are a cool look on others, but it's just not me, or my style.

As a result, that's why I'm still looking for "my casual look", and so I'm in search of the right kind of shoes that don't make me look like a kid, or a mercenary....LOL...

Keep on kilting, and having fun. I think that your doing great.

Stan L.

[The Kiltman]

Casual Is Day Wear and not Black Tie, Evening Wear, Wedding, Funeral, etc.

Note also that sporrans come in Day Wear, Formal Wear, Work or Casual

I wear my wool tartan kilts for RSCDS Dances, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Funerals, Memorial Services, Christmas Gatherings, Family Gatherings at Easter , Weddings, etc.

I do not wear my fine Wool Tartan Kilts for working in the garden around blackberries, rose pruning, or changing the oil in the lawn mower.

I do wear my cotton, Utilililts, Practikilts, and Alt Kilt for daily wear with sandals, boots, tennis shoes, tee shirts, etc.

Your look is fine for casual and has a modern 2000 + look.

The weather will also dictate how you dress. I live by the Pacific Ocean and I like wool in the winter and fall but cotton blend during the spring and summer.

Let the event and the weather dictate how you put the attire on during the day or evening.

The Kiltman

Oh, yes, I wear a Kilt every day. When I do not wear a Kilt people that know me ask, "Where is your Kilt ?"

[O'Searcaigh]

Actually, and honestly, I sometimes look a bit like that myself -- but only at home in my own "privacy."
The whole "casual" thing seems to be a question of taste/style whether kilted or not and does seem to be largely generational. I see no difference between the way you are dressed here and the way I see a lot of young men similarly dressed but in shorts rather than a kilt. As I view the kilt as an alternate male clothing choice (to those long or short bifurcated things), I see basically no difference. I am, however, always mindful that a kilt in the eyes of the public is a symbol of a country and tradition for which I have a lot of respect and want to reflect that (at least a little) when kilted in public. But then, I'm also one of those "old school" fuddy duddies" whose grandson recently said I needed to "get the pole out of [my] **s" -- he said it with affection and love in the spirit of "lighten up Dad!." So, ... hey, life's too short to get one's "panties in a twist" and down right impossible to do wearing a kilt regimental!

[Llama]

I've been known to wear my kilts with just a t-shirt or sweater (see this thread) but I usually wear kilt hose too.

I'm not really concerned about looking scruffy when I'm in a t-shirt - I know people who can make it look smart, but that's just not my style. There's not much you can do to dress-up a faded Star Wars shirt, nor would I want to. (I dig the Dr. Strangelove shirt, btw.)

[Couper]

You captured a casual "jeans" look just fine. And that's from an old (to some, but that's from being eligible for Social Security) fuddy-duddy (wife says I'm getting cantankerous in my "old" age). I may actually have a similar look this evening - heading to a local Irish pub for half-price burger night. The only difference is that I will likely wear loafers with kilt hose instead of sneakers and, most likely, no sporran.