Something that Hamish wrote years ago that stuck in my head

[Mael Coluim]

When people look at me I want them to notice the kilt and the Tartan.

Well Steve, I think your swagger pushes the kilt and its tartan to the background, friend.........

[The Wizard of BC]

If you've got, flaunt it.

[vmac3205]

If you've got, flaunt it.

Oh, please!

[KiltFitz]

My experience of hiring out kilts is that if the bride is in the shop, she makes the decisions. The kilt then usually becomes secondary to accessories which will match her chosen colour scheme. Most shops (In Scotland anyway) now have several shades of grey fashion tartans and grey jackets available for hire and it has nothing to do with the popularity of a certain racy book.

It allows them to basically offer the same kilt with a defining stripe which will make the groom's party match. The men take no interest as soon as bridezilla and her mum turn up. For the bride, all that matters is what people will say about the wedding later, what will the photos look like, will it be as fashionable as the other weddings happening that year. Brides don't wear kilts so their interest in it as a garment serves one brief and utilitarian purpose.

Talking to couples or men on their own or sometimes parents buying their son a kilt is a completely different story however. That's when the swatch books come out, different jacket styles (sometimes not in black or grey! Gasp!) are shown and discussions of pewter vs silver kilt pins and outrageous versus conservative sporrans are pitched against each other. Highlandwear is losing its colour in the mainstream, doublets are rare, striking colours in tweed even rarer. Everything has to be wishy-washy, don't stand out - some people don't want to. If you don't want to stand out, there are cheaper ways to blend in.

[Alan H]

So for examples..... and I want to point out that this is ME (and possibly Hamish, too, but I can't speak for Hamish of course), this is what I PREFER. I'm not saying "this is wrong and that is right?" OK?

So.

I much prefer this:



and yes, I chose a photograph with white socks, because I LIKE white socks, especially in a more formal setting. However, I wouldn't grouse if the socks were, say, black or charcoal gray or a blue tone that's in the kilt.

over this:



combined with this



and this:



with this:



and this:



I'd throw in pictures of fly plaid pins and sgian dubhs and dagger/knife/fork/spoon sets, too, but I'll defer.

OK, again, I'm not saying that wearing all that kit is WRONG... eh? It's just my taste. I'm just saying that if I employ Hamish's principle and Steve's principle of KISS, then simple is good. Let the tartan and the kilt be what it is and don't drown it in a bazillion bits and bobs.

[KiltFitz]

Yeah, I think a bit of discerning taste is a good thing but some things can seem too far, even for me. For instance I love that Montrose doublet but I hate lace cuffs and jabot. That said, I'd have the doublet in green velvet, thanks.

To explain what I mean, I think that in 20 years time this:



Will be a more striking and better picture than this:



Is one better than the other? Personal choice I suppose but:

In the first one, the chap looks like he put a bit of thought into a really good outfit with colours working well. That will be a great outfit for years.

In the second picture, if you like very closely, blur your eyes out of focus slightly as if you are trying to see beyond the landscape....you will notice that there are some men in the photo too.

[kiltedtom]

Steve,

I like your basic point that simplicity is usually in best taste too. But, to be honest, I do wear socks to match my trousers. I only have three colors in everything: blue, black, brown. LOL. So socks and trousers both are worn in the same colors. I am not good at mixing and matching color schemes. I am a single guy with no one around to give me advice. And I avoid mirrors. (Maybe that is why I am single ) I only have one pair of hose, blue to match the blue in my kilt. Sorry. Does that get me kicked out of the Rabble? LOL.

In the meantime, have a great holiday season.

Tom

[davidlpope]

So for examples..... and I want to point out that this is ME (and possibly Hamish, too, but I can't speak for Hamish of course), this is what I PREFER. I'm not saying "this is wrong and that is right?" OK?

So.

I much prefer this:

Sartorial tastes differ from person to person. What looks "right" to one person's eyes may seem unattractive to another person. I can't help but think, though, that a preference for the look above is strongly influenced (perhaps even subconsciously) by the ubiquity of such kilt-hire outfits.

If this is the way that one prefers to dress, de gustibus, etc. If one desires to consciously emulate the traditions of the Highlands of Scotland, though, one has to be a bit bolder...

[bwat]

If you're genuinely at peace with yourself then you can wear pretty much anything and make critical observers question their own judgement instead of yours.

[Stitchwiz]

If you're genuinely at peace with yourself then you can wear pretty much anything and make critical observers question their own judgement instead of yours.

Oh so true, but I too prefer the KISS principal - Keep It Simple Simple.