'Ultra' Casual Kilt Wear

[rlh2]

I like this look.

[The Kiltman]

All pictures are great. A Kilt is a WRAP by definition and can be dressed UP, Down, and Historical. Enjoy the WRAP based on events, weather, and mood. :-)

OH, and so is this - me..I mean.



However, in that picture, I'm attending a very important Scottish Cultural Event, wearing a tartan kilt and WHITE SOCKS. I'm also stinky, covered in dried sweat
and generally having a great time. I might also be, in some peoples estimation, "slovenly". Horrors.

[Stan]

adempsey10,

I think that your one of the "voices of the future", and you (and your opinions) represent a nice branch on the "kilted tree". If I was close to your age, or if I thought that a "kilted" suite looked good on I think that I'd be buying one too.

While I like a more traditional look with kilt hose, and flashes, after having received my first "casual (low cut) kilt", that I really like and am ordering more of them.

I like your ideas, and think that your "look" looks great on you. As I've said before on this thread, Your look is absolutely age appropriate, and looks, edgy,hip, and cool. Frankly the same kind of "feel" that I attempt to accomplish when I'm kilted too, but for my age gorup, and who I hang out with, I'm just doing it n a different way.

[Lyle1]

Stan,

That was very well said!

[Alan H]

"Kilt as jeans"? I have no problem with the concept. But sartorial ideas of what to wear with jeans, at home or privately, vs. out in public, may differ. Would I, or do I ever, wear an untucked t-shirt with jeans? Sure. At home. Never, ever out in public.

The absolutely most casual I'd ever get with a kilt in public -- on a very hot day -- would be something like this:

Looks great....you usually do!

But c'mon Dale! Wear a t-shirt with a kilt in public. Come to the dark side! We have whisky!

[TheOfficialBren]

Ugh! My eloquent reply to this thread was deleted when Safari crashed on my iPad.

Here is the Reader's Digest version:


1) IMHO we are seeing a silver age of kilts. These newer, modern styles are still in their infancy.

2) It was only a little over a century ago that an 8-yard, knife pleated kilt was considered wrong. I recently purused the site of a reputable kilt maker n Cape Breton who flatly said that anything less than 8yards was not technically a kilt. Any kiltmaker that doesn't know more than the customer about the real history and valid traditions of the garment is not worth my business. Very stodgy.

3) The historically valid lower yardage kilts are making a big comeback. They are simply rebranded as the "casual" kilt. Ironically, this modern trend is the most historically correct form of the tailored kilt. Must we be reminded that four or five yard BOX pleats were the norm until the middle of the nineteenth century. Knife pleats were viewed by many experts to be incorrect until as late as the 1880s.

4) Traditinal and casual will always have a place within their proper context. Sometimes they are even interchangeable. It is within the last few years that we have begun to view daywear as proper dailywear without the need of a special occasion, returning it to its historical context, and thus its older traditional role.

5) The kilted world will always see things kilt-related differently than the non-kilted world. That is a fact. Some people will never see it the way we see it and even then, within the kilt community, many do not view the kilt as anything but an outfit for special occasions exclusively. Fine. To each their own. I wear my kilt when I feel like it and don't wear it when I don't. It's as simple as that. I will NOT, however, begrudge another man's right to wear his kilt as he sees fit.

Wear it with pride, wear it with dignity. That is all I ask at the end of the day.

[moggi1964]

He talks sense this man

[Downunder Kilt]

Ugh! My eloquent reply to this thread was deleted when Safari crashed on my iPad.

Here is the Reader's Digest version:


1) IMHO we are seeing a silver age of kilts. These newer, modern styles are still in their infancy.

2) It was only a little over a century ago that an 8-yard, knife pleated kilt was considered wrong. I recently purused the site of a reputable kilt maker n Cape Breton who flatly said that anything less than 8yards was not technically a kilt. Any kiltmaker that doesn't know more than the customer about the real history and valid traditions of the garment is not worth my business. Very stodgy.

3) The historically valid lower yardage kilts are making a big comeback. They are simply rebranded as the "casual" kilt. Ironically, this modern trend is the most historically correct form of the tailored kilt. Must we be reminded that four or five yard BOX pleats were the norm until the middle of the nineteenth century. Knife pleats were viewed by many experts to be incorrect until as late as the 1880s.

Bren, I think we have to be very careful associating the term "casual" with all lower yardage kilts and how various vendors describe them. For instance I don't think any of Matt Newsomes kilt are describled as casual (box or knife pleated) I know John at keltoi does not refer to his lower yardage kilts as casual. Scotweb for instance describes thiers as "This Casual or Sports kilt is expertly sewn to impress, but with a contemporary lower-waisted cut". USAK have a velcro waist on their casuals and thats the only model described as a casual. Not all lower yardage kilts have been or should be branded as casual. I have two of Matts box pleated kilts and a 6 yard knife pleat on the way. I have worn the boxpleated to black tie functions and I consider them as anything but casual in these circumstances.

[The Kiltman]

I agree that the kilt can be dressed UP and it can be dressed down and it can be very modern. All depending on the event taking place.

The Kiltman

See I think this look looks just as cool or cooler with a traditional kilt. Like this.

Attachment 11687

Colin: I'll delete this if you object to having a photoshopped image of you in an outfit you didn't wear. I just thought that was the easiest way to illustrate my point.

[TheOfficialBren]

Bren, I think we have to be very careful associating the term "casual" with all lower yardage kilts and how various vendors describe them. For instance I don't think any of Matt Newsomes kilt are describled as casual (box or knife pleated) I know John at keltoi does not refer to his lower yardage kilts as casual. Scotweb for instance describes thiers as "This Casual or Sports kilt is expertly sewn to impress, but with a contemporary lower-waisted cut". USAK have a velcro waist on their casuals and thats the only model described as a casual. Not all lower yardage kilts have been or should be branded as casual. I have two of Matts box pleated kilts and a 6 yard knife pleat on the way. I have worn the boxpleated to black tie functions and I consider them as anything but casual in these circumstances.

Mike, you are absolutely correct on that. I was looking for a better umbrella term but that was the best that I could come up with at the time.

I was trying to distinguish lower-yardage kilts from "tanks.". The 'casual kilts' (regardless of branding) do, from my experience (so take it for what you will) seem to be made in the vein of traditional kilts. Are their some differences? Most certainly. Are there also lower-cost, affordable options for the kiltie on a budget or the newbie testing the waters? Absolutely. Can they look fabulous? Without a doubt.

I completely agree that Matt's, John's, and all Kilts of such high quality are far from 'casual' in the dressed-down sense. Heck, Matt's lower yardage kilts are (as quoted from his website) "historically based garments." those yardages and styles that he specialises in working with certainly pre-date the modern 8-yard tank. They are as appropriate at a white tie to-do as an 8-yarder and 99% of observers will not know or care what the difference is.

I would certainly wear any one of these chaps fine garments without hesitation.

I look forward to seeing your new kilts when they arrive, my friend. Excellent choices. Top-notch quality.