Highland games attire

[Dughlas mor]

You will see every style, level, type of kilted attire there. Plenty dressed similar to what you describe. Go for it and have fun!

[OC Richard]

You will see every style, level, type of kilted attire there. Plenty dressed similar to what you describe. Go for it and have fun!

Well there's truth and wisdom there!

Yes at our West Coast Highland Games one sees a wide variety of kilt-wear: Utilikilts a-plenty (actual Utilikilts, and their numerous imitators) and thin cotton "casual kilts" and lightweight wool "casual kilts" and traditional kilts. This spectrum is par for the course here.

But yes sun protection is very important, and unfortunately all the traditional Highland forms of headdress offer little of it.

Especially at hot sunny US Southwestern Highland Games what I might call a new style of traditional Highland Dress has emerged, all traditional, as one might see at a Games in Scotland, but with a brimmed hat such as a Tilley hat.

Yours Truly and other X-Markers at the Sacramento Games



The British Army has long been sensible about such things, and first put visors on feather-bonnets, then put Highland troops in sun helmets, and later in wide-brimmed hats. So I think there's a precedent for wide-brimmed hats, in case anyone wants to pull the Trad Police thing.





All that aside, let us know how it went tomorrow! Let's see some pics! (If you want to share...)

[kiltimabar]

I've been wearing a brimmed hat a lot more since my doctor recently froze a couple of bits off my ears--I live in California, which seems to be getting sunnier all the time.

[Octobrachium]

At the International Highland Games in Angelbachtal recently, you wouldn't believe the variety of kilts and MUGs we've seen. I'd say you're fine, as long as your kilt is properly made for what it is and not a checkered towel slung across your hips. And I agree with the hat, because I wish I had brought one - you are spending a sunny day on an open field.

[OC Richard]

I've been wearing a brimmed hat a lot more since my doctor recently froze a couple of bits off my ears...

Yes, lectures from my dermatologist have caused me to switch from baseball caps to brimmed hats. I cringe now when I think of all the years I wore baseball caps and exposed by neck and ears to the blazing sun.

I have a Tilley style hat, but also a tweed Elgin/Trilby hat which fits better with my overall traditional look.

[Jock Scot]

Yes, lectures from my dermatologist have caused me to switch from baseball caps to brimmed hats. I cringe now when I think of all the years I wore baseball caps and exposed by neck and ears to the blazing sun.

I have a Tilley style hat, but also a tweed Elgin/Trilby hat which fits better with my overall traditional look.

Very sensible thinking there. Interestingly, I can’t recall seeing anyone wearing a tweed trilby with the kilt over here, so I am not at all sure that it would be called traditional. Does it matter? Not one bit in your circumstances.

What I do see over here with the kilt when the sun is out, like we have seen recently, are the standard Panama’s, tweed fore and afts,tweed deer stalkers( both with wide brims front and back but with narrow side brims), and the Tilly hat quickly gaining favour. Having said that, I have to say bareheaded is still the usual option, with the younger generation. How wise that is, time will tell.

[ForresterModern]

What I do see over here with the kilt when the sun is out.....

What you fail to mention Jock is that when this occurs it is considered a Scottish national holiday. Scotland, home of the Edinburgh tan (aka fishbelly white).

IMHO, to the OP's original question, I believe as long as you are wearing clothes, I think you will be fine. Beyond that, pretty much anything goes. Now if you want advice on how to look dapper, well a traditional tartan kilt with proper tweeds and tie and brogues or ghillies and a proper bonnet generally look grand as one strolls the grounds taking in the whole event. See this 2012 gaterhing of many of our friends here at the rabble attending the Stone Mountain Games for some ideas.



The little guy front left is my son sporting the casual look, and I am above him in the back row in the dark red vest and white balmoral. But the others are sporting a variety of self determined looks. Anything goes. Enjoy.

On a sadder note, I just realized this is the last photo I have of our long-departed friend Turpin, squatting front right, may he rest in eternal peace. He is sorely missed. And his beloved Beverly looking lovely as usual at his right shoulder. (the mustard bonnet I am sporting in my avatar photo was made by Beverly).

[kiltedsawyer]

What you fail to mention Jock is that when this occurs it is considered a Scottish national holiday. Scotland, home of the Edinburgh tan (aka fishbelly white).

IMHO, to the OP's original question, I believe as long as you are wearing clothes, I think you will be fine. Beyond that, pretty much anything goes. Now if you want advice on how to look dapper, well a traditional tartan kilt with proper tweeds and tie and brogues or ghillies and a proper bonnet generally look grand as one strolls the grounds taking in the whole event. See this 2012 gaterhing of many of our friends here at the rabble attending the Stone Mountain Games for some ideas.



The little guy front left is my son sporting the casual look, and I am above him in the back row in the dark red vest and white balmoral. But the others are sporting a variety of self determined looks. Anything goes. Enjoy.

On a sadder note, I just realized this is the last photo I have of our long-departed friend Turpin, squatting front right, may he rest in eternal peace. He is sorely missed. And his beloved Beverly looking lovely as usual at his right shoulder. (the mustard bonnet I am sporting in my avatar photo was made by Beverly).

This looks like Stone Mountain. I see Matt Newsome in the background as well. I think I was there that year, (Turpin's last, sad to say,) but missed the photo meet-up.

[Macman]

On a sadder note, I just realized this is the last photo I have of our long-departed friend Turpin, squatting front right, may he rest in eternal peace. He is sorely missed. And his beloved Beverly looking lovely as usual at his right shoulder. (the mustard bonnet I am sporting in my avatar photo was made by Beverly).

Yes, and thank you for pointing that out. Turpin is indeed missed.

[Tobus]

Especially at hot sunny US Southwestern Highland Games what I might call a new style of traditional Highland Dress has emerged, all traditional, as one might see at a Games in Scotland, but with a brimmed hat such as a Tilley hat.

Yours Truly and other X-Markers at the Sacramento Games

Very sensible choices! I also wear a Tilley hat to Highland Games in hot weather. After having a scare earlier this year with potential skin cancer, I am done with exposing my skin to the blazing sun when I don't have to. I spent way too many years out working in the sun without proper protection. Those of us with pale skin and blue eyes have the highest risk of skin cancer.

It must be nice, though, to have the kind of "hot" weather where you can still wear ties and waistcoats! The Highland Games that occur here in Texas during the summer usually involve heat of between 95-105 degrees F and 90% humidity. We would roast inside waistcoats and soak them completely through with sweat. I will suffer a little for fashion or tradition, but I must draw a line somewhere!

When it's that hot, I typically opt for comfort over tradition, as most people do here. My preference is for a linen shirt, either short-sleeved or with long sleeves rolled up (and sunscreen liberally applied on all bare skin). I haven't yet found a material that breathes like linen.