Traditional Highland Civilian Dress: A Definition and Guide with Visual Examples

[CMcG]

Just like the name implies, this could work when those dressed in Saxon attire are also dressed in shirtsleeves, sweaters/jumpers, or even when they are wearing sports coats without neckwear.

[Nathan]

[CMcG]

This is basically a suit equivalent and, notwithstanding the name, can be worn at any time of day or night that a lounge/business suit would be considered appropriate. A very versatile look, this is also the equivalent of a smart blazer or sports jacket worn with a tie, although a sweater/jumper with a collared shirt and tie could also fill that role depending on context. In the Highland aesthetic, all colours and/or patterns of tweed are traditionally considered to be of equal formality. While tweed is tweed, there are still subtle distinctions to be made. When it comes to wearing daywear at a dressier event, it is best to select a natty, sharp tweed jacket rather than a ratty, threadbare one and to avoid any of the more pastoral daywear accessories.

[Nathan]

[Nathan]

This is the kilted equivalent of a tuxedo/dinner jacket, but when it comes to Highland black tie attire, there is some variation in accordance with are more formal and less formal events. One can often tell how formal the event is by whether the women are wearing cocktail dresses or evening gowns. It is a general rule of thumb that accessories like buckle brogues and diced or tartan hose are better suited to the more formal end of black tie while solid coloured hose and well-polished Oxfords are better for the less formal black tie events.

Highland eveningwear doublets can be worn for some black tie occasions. The Regulation doublet is similar to a Prince Charlie coatee and serves this role very well. A Balmoral doublet can be worn open with a black bow tie for a less formal look. In this case, the waistbelt would be worn under, rather than over, the doublet. While a barathea or velvet doublet with lace jabot and cuffs may be worn at the more formal end of the black tie spectrum, like the buckle brogues and fancy hose, these are best avoided for less formal black tie occasions where a dark barathea Argyll or Prince Charlie coatee with a black bow tie are more suitable.

[Nathan]

This would be appropriate for an event that called for “white tie or Highland evening attire,” and, as mentioned above, can even be worn at very formal black tie occasions. However it would not be advised to wear Highland white tie to an event that does not specifically allow for it on the invitation. Unlike with its Saxon equivalent (a tailcoat with white bow tie and white waistcoat/vest), a black bow tie is an acceptable (and to many a preferable) choice to a white bow tie when wearing full formal Highland eveningwear or “white tie” equivalent.

[Nathan]

It is traditional to be wise about the weather and to alter one’s dress accordingly. While this may sometimes result is a less smart or strictly THCD look, common sense must prevail, which is actually quite traditional! Sartorial accommodations and compromises for different types of activities are also reasonable, although one can still aim at maintaining a generally traditional appearance. In a nutshell, form follows function.

N.B. some variations may been seen among Xmarkers that are not in widespread use and, notwithstanding their practicality, should be understood as idiosyncratic (i.e., pith helmets, spats/gaiters, etc).



Wet weather (rain jackets, wellies, umbrellas)









Cold weather (parkas/anoraks, glove/mittens, scarves, boots)











Hiking and hill walking, (jackets, boots, packs)

[Liam]

Well done!!!

[CMcG]

This can be worn when a daytime event calls for formalwear and is a morning suit equivalent. It would be more appropriate for a formal daytime wedding than the black tie options (shown in the post following this one), which are best reserved for after 6:00 PM. When the wedding festivities run into the evening, there is no need to change out of formal daywear.

Despite the name, this is a versatile look that can fit in at many occasions, day or night, when people are very smartly dressed. For example, formal daywear can also be worn to an evening event when a sharp, dark suit would be expected, but black tie would be too formal. In such situations, swapping in black leather buttons can help mute the formality of a black barathea silver button Argyll jacket. It should be noted, however, that the nicer tweed Argylls from the previous section could also fill that very-smart-but-not-yet-formal role.

[CMcG]