Options for smart but informal

**andycwb** · 22nd June 13, 07:37 AM

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I've added the daywear jacket to my order, and also got a cheap but nice daywear sporran (as it is the total spend is fast approaching US$1,500) and "sgian brew" from eBay to complete the outfit. I think for now I'll stick with either the cream or black hose coming with the kilt. That will give me options for everything from very casual to black tie and I can accessorise further from there if I get the use out of it.

I'm not individualistic enough to want to wear it for every day use, but I can think of 3 or 4 events in the remainder of this year and double that number next year that it will be worn for. I will be committing a cardinal sin on colour by wearing it with an orange t-shirt for some of this as it's required wear for the volunteer leaders at the events.

**Jock Scot** · 22nd June 13, 07:51 AM

How much! Actually I am not surprised, it is a significant outlay of loot to buy a large chunk of kilt caboodle in one go, thank goodness for my forebears with their judicious purchases!

**Carlo** · 22nd June 13, 01:41 PM

I sometimes have to wear an orange hat with it.
The orange gear is part of a uniform so the "rules" of civilian highland wear don't apply. At least in my opinion.

And yes 1'500$ seems about what you will pay for a chunk of kilt caboodle. Then some people spend that and much more on a watch that is in essence the same as a 70$ swatch in a metall shell.

Compared to that Highland wear does seem more reasonable to me.

**andycwb** · 23rd June 13, 01:24 AM

It is a significant investment - the kilt alone is the most expensive garment I've ever purchased. But, I wanted the Cunningham tartan, and, perhaps with a few alterations, it should last me a lifetime. At will be far more of a conversation piece than a nice watch....

**TheOfficialBren** · 23rd June 13, 09:18 AM

Even a more modest kilt is quite an investment...plus a sporran, hose, and garters. One thing's for sure--a kilted man is often the most expensively-dressed man in any given room. My kikt was my first made-to-measure garment to boot!

**Carlo** · 23rd June 13, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

Even a more modest kilt is quite an investment...plus a sporran, hose, and garters. One thing's for sure--a kilted man is often the most expensively-dressed man in any given room. My kikt was my first made-to-measure garment to boot!

How right you are, exchange rates back in the day made my cheap HoS kilt to my most expensive garement. It's been overtaken now, but is still in the top 3.

**TheOfficialBren** · 23rd June 13, 10:10 AM

Darn those exchange rates!! An attractive price can quickly become a frustrating one.

**xman** · 23rd June 13, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by andycwb

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I've added the daywear jacket to my order, and also got a cheap but nice daywear sporran (as it is the total spend is fast approaching US$1,500) and "sgian brew" from eBay to complete the outfit. I think for now I'll stick with either the cream or black hose coming with the kilt. That will give me options for everything from very casual to black tie and I can accessorise further from there if I get the use out of it.

I'm not individualistic enough to want to wear it for every day use, but I can think of 3 or 4 events in the remainder of this year and double that number next year that it will be worn for. I will be committing a cardinal sin on colour by wearing it with an orange t-shirt for some of this as it's required wear for the volunteer leaders at the events.

What a fabulous start! remember though, those hose will need replacing some day and there's always room for another kilt pin, otr a different sgian dubh. You can always improve your image.

**CMcG** · 23rd June 13, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

I agree. Also, what the heck is "semi-formal" and why do people keep using this term? To me, it makes no sense whatsoever.

Perhaps you might ask the folks over at Kinloch Anderson, who use that term for their kilt hire:

http://www.kinlochanderson.com/about...ress-kilt-hire

As others have pointed out, there can be different meanings attached to the same dress code and it varies by place, as well as social group. I went to an awards dinner at my university recently that called for "semi-formal," so I wore a suit and tie (if I had worn a kilt, it would have been a tweed jacket and tie). Most of the other attendees just wore slacks and shirtsleeves, with no tie

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

How much! Actually I am not surprised, it is a significant outlay of loot to buy a large chunk of kilt caboodle in one go, thank goodness for my forebears with their judicious purchases!

Buying a full kilt outfit in one go is definitely a big chuck of cash and it's even tougher if one wants to be able to do day wear, morning dress, and black tie evening wear! I've only inherited a couple pieces of kit, so instead, I've purchased quite a few items second hand, which helps to keep the cost down. It does take time, but it still gives that certain look where one's outfit is a mix of old and new...

**OC Richard** · 23rd June 13, 04:45 PM

Orange, eh? you could get this jacket!

I'm puzzled by that Kinloch Anderson thing. Well, it's a business, the Kilt Hire business, and they can call it anything they want! But the centre guy is wearing a black jacket with silver buttons, and that has meant Evening Dress throughout the 20th century. And he's wearing a leather sporran, which has meant Day Dress. To me that middle guy looks like he plays in some pipe band. Pipe bands often mix the two traditional categories.

That middle "semi" category didn't exist traditionally... check out these, from the 1930s... just Evening Dress and Outdoor Dress (what later was called Day Dress)

Here's the sporrans from Anderson themselves in 1936 where you can see the distinction between Day and Eve... no "semi" anything