'Ultra' Casual Kilt Wear

**The Wizard of BC** · 25th May 13, 12:08 AM

I don't intend to hijack this thread any further from the OP's intent of how he wears a kilt, but the definition of a "Casual" kilt is not dependent on the yardage but by the construction method.

"Casual" kilts are usually those made without the internal stabilizers and interfacing found in a traditional kilt.
They are usually made in the way most of today's clothing is. They rely on the fabric and the lines of stitching for their strength.

In a traditionally made kilt the outer fabric 'floats' over the internal construction without putting stress or distortion on the outer fabric. This internal construction is the reason a traditional kilt has the marvelous swish we all admire.

In mens' suits of old we talked about 'drape'. This drape of the fabric over the body without distortion and puckering is due to the floating interfacing used then. Today very few items of clothing still use floating interfacing. The traditionally made kilt and the bespoke suit are two exceptions.

A traditionally made kilt can have less than 8 yards of fabric. A Casual kilt can have a full 8 yards and more. What actually differentiates them is how they are made.

**TheOfficialBren** · 25th May 13, 01:59 AM

Thank you, Steve. That helps me to understand much better.

**adempsey10** · 25th May 13, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

I don't intend to hijack this thread any further from the OP's intent of how he wears a kilt, but the definition of a "Casual" kilt is not dependent on the yardage but by the construction method.

"Casual" kilts are usually those made without the internal stabilizers and interfacing found in a traditional kilt.
They are usually made in the way most of today's clothing is. They rely on the fabric and the lines of stitching for their strength.

In a traditionally made kilt the outer fabric 'floats' over the internal construction without putting stress or distortion on the outer fabric. This internal construction is the reason a traditional kilt has the marvelous swish we all admire.

In mens' suits of old we talked about 'drape'. This drape of the fabric over the body without distortion and puckering is due to the floating interfacing used then. Today very few items of clothing still use floating interfacing. The traditionally made kilt and the bespoke suit are two exceptions.

A traditionally made kilt can have less than 8 yards of fabric. A Casual kilt can have a full 8 yards and more. What actually differentiates them is how they are made.

Its almost like you do this for a living

**Tasty Rabbit** · 14th June 13, 07:48 AM

I like this look for everyday wear & gives me some ideas for my own dress . Like as said not a wedding , black tie dinner or job interview but if I decide to go hiking, mow the lawn or wrestle an alligator while wearing my kilt .

**TJ Kelley** · 14th June 13, 03:20 PM

Looks comfy Adem, you dig it, and thats what counts.

I often wear a pair of gray Vans Skate Hi shoes with black hose scrunched down. While I like the look and it feels good to me, I know some traditionalist will cringe. They definitely hate my knee high combat boots.

I believe there is a time to get gussied up and to dress down, whether it be in trousers, jeans, shorts or a kilt... its really my/your decision.

**Stoo** · 6th July 13, 11:30 AM

There is, in my opinion an over conservative view on what should and should not be worn with a kilt. If a kilt was originally worn in place of trousers then any day wear would have been acceptable. If has, it does seem, sometimes, a "costume" to be worn by people with a Scottish heritage, whos ancestory is dating back so long, that the years can't be counted, but also forgetting the influence of Queen Victoria and the formality of Victorian England/Britain. Wear the kilt as you want. But always wear it with pride

**English Bloke** · 6th July 13, 01:57 PM

I don't think I manage ULTRA casual but I do dress to be comfy. It depends on what's going on at the time as to how I wear my Kilt.

I generally wear my socks up. In fact I don't think I've ever worn them pushed down, I just prefer it that way. But what I wear topsides is exactly what I would be wearing if I were in trousers (in terms of style... obviously I wouldn't wear an argyle kilt jacket with a nice pair of cream chinos... ).

Sometimes it's jeans equivalent, sometimes it's trousers, sometimes it's a suit and sometimes it's a dinner jacket. Like I say, I wear what I like, not what other people opinion I should like. So long I'm comfy and feel in myself that I'm doing my Kilt(s) the justice THEY deserve, I'm happy. Whether I'm successful is subjective, ... but I'm still happy so it doesn't really matter.

To illustrate, I've used pictures of the same kilt worn in different ways for clarity of what I mean.

Touring Bruce

Family day out Bruce

Robert Burns Bruce (Four Englishmen in this picture by the way!!)

At a Wedding Bruce (The Scotsman in this picture is wearing Silver Granite by the way. Kilts are catching on in Englandshire!)

Afternoon party smart but still casual Bruce

Folk festival Bruce

Graduating Bruce (not mine I might add, I'm thick as mince!!)

Chillin' with the wife and kids on holiday Bruce.

And many variations there-of... I've got some of "Pink Floyd T-shirt Bruce" (was reprimanded for that one, apparently old men in rock T-shirts is not acceptable). I've got "Cooking BBQ Bruce" and "Smashed out mee face Bruce" and "Not caring a jot about what anyone thinks I should wear Bruce" but I'll skip those. You probably get the idea already. I've also got pictures of me wearing a kilt in Turkey where I definitely wasn't comfortable 'cause it was so hot I looked like someone had chucked a bucket of water over me. To fix that I went home and changed into shorts... Much better, much more appropriate. Just be yourself and don't worry about it. It works for me.