One kilt, several looks. A canny Scot's take.

[Calgacus]

Absolutely gorgeous! It's hard to beat McRostie. All of my bespoke sporran straps come from them, as well as a couple of leather daywear sporrans (with tassels) in conker and chestnut. I absolutely love the bridle leather and the quality is definitely second to none!

Looking very smart, mate! Of course , I am partial to the Macpherson tartan.

Cheers,

Hi Kyle,

I got swatches of conker, chestnut and dark havana. It was a tough choice but I went for the dark havana in the end and am very happy with it. It's hard to tell from photos or the colours on their website, but the best description of it is the colour of plain chocolate.

Can't believe I neglected to iron my shirt. You are always immaculately turned out. Do you have a checklist?

[creagdhubh]

Hi Kyle,

I got swatches of conker, chestnut and dark havana. It was a tough choice but I went for the dark havana in the end and am very happy with it. It's hard to tell from photos or the colours on their website, but the best description of it is the colour of plain chocolate.

Can't believe I neglected to iron my shirt. You are always immaculately turned out. Do you have a checklist?

The sporran strap that I wear with my Pine Marten sporran is of the dark havana colour. It matches the reverse side of the sporran perfectly, not that it really matters. I actually do have a "mental checklist" and typically prepare my kit in the same order every time I wear Highland Dress (ironing is a must). Perhaps that's my OCD kicking in, or possibly a hangover from my time in the Marine Corps. The former is more than likely the cause, since I have always been a wee bit OCD about things well before I joined the Marines!

[Calgacus]

...It matches the reverse side of the sporran perfectly, not that it really matters...

Oh but it does matter! I'm a wee bit OCD myself, but it's tempered by laziness and forgetfulness in equal measure... :crap:

[creagdhubh]

Oh but it does matter! I'm a wee bit OCD myself, but it's tempered by laziness and forgetfulness in equal measure... :crap:

Hahahaha! Well said.

[JohntheBiker]

Nice set of photos. Nicely turned out. Very instructive.

[Nathan]

Thanks for sharing. Very sharp indeed.

A few observations:

Those diamond patterned hose are quite unique! Not diced and not tartan. Not really picking up colours from the tartan either. They certainly stand out!

The fly front, lay down collar, french cuff tuxedo shirt is almost impossible to find here. Wing collar pleated front tuxedo shirts with studs are by far the most common for sale here followed by lay down pleated front shirts with studs. I do like the concealed placket and the overall look of this shirt. Perhaps they will become more available here in time.

How much more rare would you say a Glengarry bonnet is as compared to a Balmoral aside from among soldiers and pipers?

Final question: Many on this forum have expressed the view that the semi-dress sporran which is sold specifically to be worn with the Black Argyll (morning dress) is neither fish nor fowl and therefore undesirable. I notice you have chosen an evening sporran with this look while I've also seen a simple (usually black) day sporran pressed into service for this level of dress.

I wonder whether there a difference regarding when one would choose one over the other given the context of the occasion or if it's a simple coin toss that goes to personal taste.

Again, thank you for sharing your pics and your comments.

[MacKenzie]

Thanks for sharing. Very sharp indeed.

A few observations:

Those diamond patterned hose are quite unique! Not diced and not tartan. Not really picking up colours from the tartan either. They certainly stand out!

The fly front, lay down collar, french cuff tuxedo shirt is almost impossible to find here. Wing collar pleated front tuxedo shirts with studs are by far the most common for sale here followed by lay down pleated front shirts with studs. I do like the concealed placket and the overall look of this shirt. Perhaps they will become more available here in time.

How much more rare would you say a Glengarry bonnet is as compared to a Balmoral aside from among soldiers and pipers?

Final question: Many on this forum have expressed the view that the semi-dress sporran which is sold specifically to be worn with the Black Argyll (morning dress) is neither fish nor fowl and therefore undesirable. I notice you have chosen an evening sporran with this look while I've also seen a simple (usually black) day sporran pressed into service for this level of dress.

I wonder whether there a difference regarding when one would choose one over the other given the context of the occasion or if it's a simple coin toss that goes to personal taste.

Again, thank you for sharing your pics and your comments.

Nicely veiled. Almost.

'Nay' button needed.

[Nathan]

Nicely veiled. Almost.

'Nay' button needed.

On the contrary, my friend. Nothing was veiled. I am very much appreciative of Calgacus for showing us how he does it. Silly me, I thought the thread was meant to prompt discussion. Most of his choices are perfectly aligned with what I would choose. Thankfully, there is still room for all of us to express our individuality a little bit around here. I thought his choice of hose was daring and I'm still deciding what I think of the risk. I was hoping my comment would prompt some others to weigh in and that I might learn about an option I hadn't considered. Perhaps I should have just quietly wondered where the lines are regarding patterned hose and formal wear.

I complimented his choice of shirt and lamented my inability to find one in my city.

On the Glengarry, Calgacus acknowledged that it was the less typical (although perfectly acceptable) choice while stating that he seldom wears a bonnet but that he feels this type looks better on him. My question was an honest one. I don't live in Scotland. I had a reason for asking as a good friend of mine prefers the Glengarry also and I'm sure one who wears it in Scotland would notice when others do. I also own a Glengarry and the responses might just prompt me to take it out of the drawer once in a while.

My question on the sporran was also an honest one. I have the same outfit and the same sporran choices and given the fact that so many commented less than favourably about my semi-dress sporran (so much that I bartered it for a day sporran) I am now puzzled about which sporran works better with the black Argyll and long tie and, if both do; how do I know which to choose when?

I don't know about you MacKenzie, but I'm here to learn and share what I've learned. I ask questions and provide input. If you thought what I wrote was a veiled insult, I'm afraid you are seeing an esoteric subtext that simply isn't there.

[MacGumerait]

Nathan , I certainly didn't think it was veiled . Looked like open and honest conversation to me ... compliments on some things and a desire to learn more about other things . A gentleman's reply in my mind .

[Downunder Kilt]

Nathan, if reference to your sporran question. You referred to the sporran that Calgacus was wearing with his Argyll outfit as an evening sporran. I call these type of sporrans, formal. The black barathea Argyll, to my mind, is formal, daywear that is. I do not see the sporran that Calgacus is wearing in his photo as being out of place. I also do not see the wearing of a plain black leather sporran with the same outfit as being a social faux pax.