so this is what we've come to? (Prince Charlie)

[TJ Kelley]

Thanks for the laugh Richard.

[EagleJCS]

The answers below are just my opinions, informed through things I've learned from others here...

As someone fairly new to this how could this look (easily?) be corrected? I don't think many have the means to do the lovely example of evening wear OC Richard provided.

Loose the fly plaid? Yes, unless he's the groom or the piper (and most pipers I know don't go this far either).
Change out the tie for something more traditional? Bow tie? Yes - a bow tie would be best with this waistcoat. Self-tied even better. A long tie would go better with a 5-button waistcoat.
Pull the kilt up to show more knee and get the belt up where it doesn't show? Maybe. It looks like the kilt might hit mid-knee when he's standing still, but an inch or so higher would be better, and lose the belt entirely.
Loose the muppet sporran and replace it with? Yes - still fur, but a natural-colored beaver/rabbit/sealskin or a full mask.
Darker hose? Yes. Purple hose would bee a little too much, though. If I wanted to coordinate with the tartan without being too matchy-matchy, I'd choose navy, dark charcoal or even black - though black is overdone these days. Argyle/diced would be even better, but more expensive. The flashes should also be solid-colored, not tartan, perhaps the same color as the hose, or a contrasting color.
I'll go with him being left handed so leave the sgian where it is. Agreed.
Men's shoes I have not much knowledge of..... Just my opinion, but I think the ghillie brogues are fine, as long as they're not tied halfway up the leg like ersatz Roman sandals/leggings. Some prefer to see buckled brogues or even patent leather shoes with a large buckle.

[AFS1970]

To be fair, the white hose looks positively subdued with this ensemble.

[Kiltboy]

LMAO! Not that I would do it for anything other than a goof but it would be hilarious to have a full mask Cookie Monster sporran with the those big googly eyes rolling around on it

Actually, it's been done. See the thread below, on Page 7, at the bottom.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...78/index7.html

[bdkilted]

Appears to be heritage of Scotland tartan.

[HippieLee]

Actually, it's been done. See the thread below, on Page 7, at the bottom.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...78/index7.html

Now THAT's funny!

[MAJMike]

Hory clap!!!

I'll use this as an example of what not to do!!!!!!!

[David Thorpe]

As someone fairly new to this how could this look (easily?) be corrected?

Lose the fly plaid.
Black bow tie. (for evening wear)
Lose the belt if wearing a waistcoat.
The sporran is of obviously cheap materials. Full mask or silver-cantled genuine fur or horsehair would each be a better choice.
The kilt is borderline too long.
Plain, but highly polished brogues or buckled Mary Janes.

[KiltFitz]

Sad to say, but in 75 years the Prince Charlie has gone from this



to this



This image perfectly encapsulates what, to me, is the decline in elegance of Evening Dress.

-ruche tie
-belt showing under waistcoat
-white hose with evening dress
-shoes lacking buckles with evening dress
-tartan flashes
-added bonus: sgian in wrong leg

This might be unpopular in certain quarters:

I used to think it was due to a lack of education/understanding of traditional highland dress. But it's not, because here in Scotland, there are plenty of knowledgeable people in the industry who could resolve any lack of understanding. It's the fault of the hire industry, and pandering to the wishes of women who won't ever be wearing this kind of thing.

Without wishing to start a battle of the sexes here, one of the key reasons that this kind of outfit has become an accepted 'standard' in highland wear today is the lack of a discernment among the industry's customers, specifically in the context of wedding hires.

There are lots of men here in Scotland who wear kilts for only two occasions: football and weddings. Now, the freedom to accessorise and the lack of such freedom in wedding attire hinges upon the influence that women, specifically brides and the bridal party, wield upon the choice of attire that these men make. Hence the industry panders to such whims as the desire to have tartan match ladies dresses, choice of wedding colour scheme (including tablecloths, curtain etc), not to mention price.

Although I don't profess to be any great expert on highland attire, I am frequently asked by friends or friends of my girlfriend to take the groom in hand with regards to his "kilt outfit". I am usually tasked with the following:

1) Make sure the groom's party all wear the same tartan. Why? Because then the photos afterward will be easier to arrange. It's as if the only reason to have a wedding is so you can get a nice set of photos later and not to have a memorable celebration that remains with those close to you for years to come. Also, is everyone content to look exactly the same as everyone else? Most of the women I know choose clothes for a flattering shape/cut and colour that compliments their skin tone and hair colour. I can't imagine any of the bridal parties I have seen ever choosing the same dress independently of each other. So why the wedding uniforms? People look better in wedding photos when they are smiling, having fun. Not when they are grimacing with embarrassment.

2) Make sure that the tartan chosen fits in with the bride's/bride's mother/wedding planner/every other member of the bride's party and family's concept of a colour scheme - "Can you pick a fuchsia tartan with hints of cream and emerald? What about one of those kilts with a pattern at the back? Is there one like that but with flowers?" Call me a chauvinist but any man should refuse to dress with the purpose of matching the floral arrangement on the table that he will eat his dinner from.

3) The cost of hiring outfits for the groom's party should be a mere fraction of the cost of the bride's dress and pale in miniscule obscurity when compared with the overall cost of the wedding which the groom (jointly at least) will be saddled with the responsibility of paying off for years to come. But he shouldn't think that he is entitled to wear what he chooses because that would be selfish.

I have two male friends about to get married and both brides have asked for my help. One of the prospective grooms has been to 3 hire shops and posted pictures on facebook looking like a (well coordinated) dog's dinner each time.

If these guys could stand up and express what they want for themselves to their partners and to the shop staff, we might see less of this kind of stuff in time. Not likely while the control over colour and budget remains locked away in the bride's purse however. If the hire outfits were better and men felt better about wearing kilts, the industry would sell more outfits to men who were happy with what they wore.

[English Bloke]

Leave 'em be I say.

I've been to a couple of weddings (and funerals) this year where kilts have been worn. Admittedly they haven't been in the Highlands and the kilted Scots in attendance (in either case) have not been die-hard kilties but they've worn the kilt as it's expected for them to do so, they're Scottish after-all.

They wear what they wear on the best hire shop advice which says, "this is the outfit". They don't argue the toss because firstly, they don't know, and secondly, they won't be wearing the kilt again anytime soon (till next time they hire it) and the ensemble offered matches (loosley) what they've seen before at other similar events... You're safe in numbers.

Another way to put it is they don't give a stuff... It's the overall effect they are after but there is no desire to invest in a personal Kilt outfit or wear the kilt outside of the special occasion, it's a Scottish statement, but it isn't every day dress, it's a now and again garment so no reason to spend big pounds on something you won't keep. There will always be a hire shop.

It shouldn't matter to us. The people who wear this kind of rented outfit are not as obsessed as we are and are happy to "borrow" a kilt when it suits.

We shouldn't worry ourselves. It's how it's sold to them. Most folk are happy with that, as it achieves the desired result... What is worn at Scottish weddings these days isn't going to change the way I wear the kilt. Then again, how I wear MY kilt isn't going to change the way Scottish weddings are conducted. Regardless of how much I spend on socks...

(Please don't tell my wife I spent 80 quid on a pair of socks...)

Live and let live...

EDIT: Bang on Kiltfitz!!