Quote Originally Posted by Sir Didymous View Post
Now this having been said, I wonder about these combinations. In the first picture I am wearing a great kilt with what could feasibly be considered traditional attire. (I look terribly rumpled from putting it on in a hurry for my wife's school related photo shoot.) I'm not entirely convinced that should be considered costumey.
I agree with you; it isn't. While your waistcoat also has a bit of a historic look, I don't think that you look like you're wearing a costume. A little retro, perhaps, but I like the look. On the other hand, if you added an older style bonnet, or a belt with a dirk, most folks would probably think that you were doing reenactment (or had a very, very out of date wardrobe ). The older bonnet styles look great - Matt, for example, wears one to very good effect - but combining one with a plaid tends to emphasize the historic look of both.

I didn't mean to imply in my earlier post that anything more than one historic element automatically makes a look "costumey;" it's what the elements are, and how obtrusive they are in relation to the more modern / currently fashionable portions of one's clothing. I certainly don't think that wearing a plaid with otherwise "modern traditional" clothing creates a "costumey" effect (though some would disagree). If you'd chosen too add a Jacobite shirt to the ensemble, however, the effect would be very different...

Quote Originally Posted by Sir Didymous View Post
In this next image our church was having some slightly more formal festivities so I dressed it up a bit with a jabot and due to the weather I switched the jacket for a fancier waist coat (Which was in the 1770's style). I used the day plaid to finish it up a bit, but I wouldn't be offended if it were defined as more historical in spite of the traditional (in the modern sense) kilt.
Again, I agree. This look is certainly more historical than the first. It's quite handsome, just not contemporary. In fact, you look like you might be portraying a 19th century Scottish parson.

Quote Originally Posted by Dale Seago View Post
I'm not sure what those should properly be called, but I can say I like the look. I've done things rather like that myself with a great kilt/feileadh mor, though not for many years. Here is a more "casual" example than yours above from December of '99, in Japan at my martial art teacher's birthday party:
Dale, thanks for illustrating why I don't believe that wearing the belted plaid automatically makes one look particularly "historic," though the garment itself no doubt is. You look quite sharp and contemporary. Not "blue jeans" casual, nor overly formal, but much like a man who's ready for a hike through the heather - or to celebrate an honored teacher's birthday. I envy your sense of style.