Proper shirt for wear with a Sheriffmuir

[Tarheel]

I had the song, "Communication Breakdown" by Led Zeppelin flash through my head as I read the latest (and delightful) exchange.

Back to the topic at hand.

[Father Bill]

PERPETUA is a quality band from Edinburgh and they are apparently playing a show at ‘Opium’ which I assume is a venue in Edinburgh.

Good. Now I know what the references are, but I still can't tell what you were trying to say about them.

Sentences are so nice - they say things that a few untethered words can't

[AbernethyCameron]

Back on topic, I think (i.e my opinion) a Sheriffmuir with a "jacobite" shirt would look awful and I've never seen one worn "casually", maybe someone can prove me wrong and show us how it would look. Also, it goes without saying that if it's your cup of tea and you like it, then fill your boots, but expect some feedback!

[Me cousin Jack]

I had the song, "Communication Breakdown" by Led Zeppelin flash through my head as I read the latest (and delightful) exchange.

Back to the topic at hand.

”its always the same”

[AbernethyCameron]

I have nothing against either, in the right setting and with other elements of the outfit that complement them. For me though, and I think it's generally accepted (although I accept that opinions will differ) that a Sherrifmuir jacket is formal, the jacobite shirt, not at all.

[Hirsty]

Opium tends to be supportive of the metal/goth/rock crowd. It did used to be an underage drinking den back in the day but has cleaned its act up. My wife enjoyed going there as it was her type of music but I prefer somewhere with decent beer and less head banging.

[Hirsty]

Anyway, back on topic, whilst the link was helpful, perhaps a picture of the Jacobite shirt and Sheriffmuir Doublet would persuade people one way other the other.

[Hirsty]

To be honest, I don't think it is identical - the lack of sleeves, no epaulettes, no high collar, and no accompanying waistcoat, give it a somewhat different feel - hence the request for an alternative image.
I am not saying a Jacobite shirt would not work but I would be interested to see it.

[Tobus]

To be honest, I don't think it is identical - the lack of sleeves, no epaulettes, no high collar, and no accompanying waistcoat, give it a somewhat different feel - hence the request for an alternative image.
I am not saying a Jacobite shirt would not work but I would be interested to see it.

I agree. The item in question is more of a costume piece made specifically for wearing with that type of shirt, and is commonly seen at Renaissance festivals and such. It is often called a swordsman's vest or chieftain vest, or similar type monikers depending on the maker, which further suggest their costume role. I wouldn't quite put it in the same category as a Sheriffmuir, despite having some similar decorative details. The overall effect is quite different.

EdinSteve, just to clarify my earlier reply, I was not suggesting that anyone should not wear what they want. I was simply saying that the Sherrifmuir seems to be built in a manner similar to other evening jackets, with details that are specific to the more formal end. This would suggest that it's more of a formal jacket and not a casual jacket. Seeing square metal buttons and tashes on someone in a casual setting, or during the day, if they are not wearing it as part of a uniform or regalia (such as pipers, etc.), would seem oddly out of place to my eye. And especially so when paired with the folksy casual look of the Jacobite shirt with its leather laces at the neck. The two put together create a strange dichotomy in levels of dress when compared to the "norms" of modern Highland wear (i.e. not from the 19th century).

[Jock Scot]

I have seen the late Chief John MacLeod of MacLeod wear that outfit many times and always as evening dress------apart from the one time when he was posing for an artist who I understand worked for much of the time from a photograph, for background purposes, taken during the day. Besides in mid June it never gets dark at Dunvegan.

Apart from the formal evening jacket, he is also wearing a dirk, a dress sporran and chain, an evening style buckled belt and a bow tie. All evening attire and a dollop of artistic licence to boot. So if its the picture that I think you are alluding to Steve, then I venture to suggest that you may be drawing the wrong conclusion there.

There are distinct day and formal conventions and yes there are distinct kilt attire differences between the conservative traditional thinking Highlands and the more liberal and contemporary thinking Central belt. This is brought about for understandable reasons, I think.

There was until the late 1960's very little general enthusiasm for kilt attire in the Central Belt, quite the opposite in my experience. Most who actually wore a tartan in the Lowlands in those days wore tartan in the form of trews. I am not sure why attitudes changed but change they did, but the problem was that there was little kilt attire knowledge available to guide the new kilt wearers----much like the rest of the world now with their questions and advice on this website -----so assumptions were made, often based on guesswork and hearsay and those resulted in different choices being made and perpetuated. For example pirate/jacobite shirts being thought of as traditional, black bow ties, white hose and PC's/sherriffmuirs/montrose jackets/etc., being regarded as suitable, correct even, formal day attire. Added to which of course, the kilt hire shops mushroomed to fulfil the need. Sadly the assorted advice given by the unknowing has perpetuated the differences of opinion of styles and suitability of kilt attire for any given event, between the Highland kilt wearers and those of the rest of Scotland.

Yes there are exceptions, yes there varying levels of experience and yes, it a free world and we are all able to make choices. However we need to be very aware that those very real differences of outlook are a reality when kilt attire choices are made and when advice is being given.