No Kilts seen in Scotland!

**Ninehostages** · 11th October 23, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Errr ummm ok that’s what you are going to wear, but that would not be the Scottish/ British way. We would perhaps wear our medals if required but assorted badges and insignia would not be worn as our old comrades would know already what we were and what we have done. So when you decide to get, perhaps a tweed kilt jacket for a smart ( suit equivalent) event or maybe, a black barathea Prince Charlie for a more formal event then, if you want to follow the Scottish attire route all those embellishments can be laid to rest.I understand that the Royal Navy now have their own tartan and I also understand that kilts are now worn, on occasion, in the Officers Mess. I am not sure if the RN tartan must be worn or if Clan tartans are allowed.

Good luck with the hip recovery.

The very few badges and insignia that I will be wearing are specified by our local Naval Veteran's association but I know what you mean.

**BobF** · 11th October 23, 04:50 PM

Let me ask a perhaps silly question. I live very near, and frequent, the only Scottish pub in the state of Connecticut. The last Thursday of every month is Whisky Club, which I attend religiously. Now, the last Thursday of November happens also to fall on St. Andrew’s Day (a fact that I’ve been sure to point out to the publican). What is the appropriate level of formality for a St. Andrew’s Day (or, really, night) event? Is it as formal as a Burns Night Supper (which I’ve pointed out to the publican will also fall on Whisky Club this coming January), or is it a more informal evening? I don’t know if the pub owner is planning a special menu, but what is most likely to happen is Whisky Club from 7:00 to about 8:15ish, and then Celtic music by a musician/historian who plays pipes, Irish bouzouki, and guitar. I’m just wondering what to wear; is the Prince Charlie overdressing for this occasion?

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Another good point from Jock, that's there's more to it than whether you're wearing a kilt or not.

Does your overall level of formality suit the occasion?

Did you take care when dressing yourself? Are you wearing things as they're customarily worn? (The backwards kilts, sloppy neckties, etc.)

Here in the USA it's common for kilted gents to be wildly overdressed for the occasion. The men appear to be wearing every bit of Highland Dress they own, their closets bare when they walk out their doors.

I was hired to pipe for a morning Church service and the kilted men sitting in the pews were all wearing Prince Charlies, bow ties, plaids, dirks, bonnets, you name it. Additionally every man had at least three pins on his lapels. (There's an inexplicable addiction to pins here.)

**Father Bill** · 11th October 23, 05:37 PM

The level of formality will depend on the intent of the host and the traditions of the venue, not the date being celebrated.

**kilted2000** · 11th October 23, 09:42 PM

Just out of curiosity, I know that wearing a kilt in Scotland can make it obvious that you are a tourist, is that a problem if you actually are? On my three week trip to Scotland last year I carried around a kilt and a tweed kilt jacket with vest/waistcoat. I wore it exactly zero times because I was too nervous for some reason. The jacket would only have been worn when a jacker was appropriate, normally I just wear a t-shirt, polo, or button front shirt with a kilt. I never planned on wearing the kilt in Edinburgh, Glasgow, or any other city I was visiting, except maybe Inverness, but I was looking forward to wearing a kilt in Scotland, as silly as that might sound.

Were my fears unfounded? Would I have been treated worse than I was in a kilt? It's a hand sewn wool kilt made by Barbara Tewksbury to my measurements so it's a proper kilt by anyone's definition.

**Jock Scot** · 11th October 23, 10:06 PM

Generally you will be quite safe wearing the kilt in Scotland and nothing will be said , much may be thought though, by some. There are places where the rather heavy handed and unsubtle Scottish sense of humour may come to the fore too, but these days we are quite used to visitors wearing the kilt. I don’t really think that most Scots care one jot about the construction of your kilt.

**Jock Scot** · 12th October 23, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by kilted2000

---------------------

------- Would I have been treated worse than I was in a kilt? -------------

I have just had the time to re-read your post and I have re-read your last paragraph several times to make sure that I have read it correctly. Frankly, its rather concerning. Would you care to expand on it, please?

**Tobus** · 12th October 23, 03:59 AM

Originally Posted by BobF

Let me ask a perhaps silly question. I live very near, and frequent, the only Scottish pub in the state of Connecticut. The last Thursday of every month is Whisky Club, which I attend religiously. Now, the last Thursday of November happens also to fall on St. Andrew’s Day (a fact that I’ve been sure to point out to the publican). What is the appropriate level of formality for a St. Andrew’s Day (or, really, night) event? Is it as formal as a Burns Night Supper (which I’ve pointed out to the publican will also fall on Whisky Club this coming January), or is it a more informal evening? I don’t know if the pub owner is planning a special menu, but what is most likely to happen is Whisky Club from 7:00 to about 8:15ish, and then Celtic music by a musician/historian who plays pipes, Irish bouzouki, and guitar. I’m just wondering what to wear; is the Prince Charlie overdressing for this occasion?

Others may have their own views on this, but I cannot imagine any event held at a pub that would rise to the level of formality where a Prince Charlie would be appropriate. I generally don't like comparisons to so-called "Saxon wear", but if the PC is a tuxedo equivalent according to conventional wisdom, then it really does seem like overkill in my mind for these types of events.

But then again, there is something to be said for fitting in with the crowd. If everyone else is overdressed and that's what's expected amongst the locals (regardless of what would be correct in the Highlands), it's perhaps better to go with the local expectations rather than stand on principle. "When in Rome" and all that.

**FossilHunter** · 12th October 23, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Others may have their own views on this, but I cannot imagine any event held at a pub that would rise to the level of formality where a Prince Charlie would be appropriate. I generally don't like comparisons to so-called "Saxon wear", but if the PC is a tuxedo equivalent according to conventional wisdom, then it really does seem like overkill in my mind for these types of events.

But then again, there is something to be said for fitting in with the crowd. If everyone else is overdressed and that's what's expected amongst the locals (regardless of what would be correct in the Highlands), it's perhaps better to go with the local expectations rather than stand on principle. "When in Rome" and all that.

This is a good point. A local pipe band puts on a burns supper in San Diego each year as a fundraiser and while, on the whole, I wouldn’t consider the event formal in tone or venue, most of the kilted men wear prince charlies and bowties while the trousered men are usually in suits or shirtsleeves.

My experience in this region is that levels of formality are a bit of a wandering zero and a bit of foreknowledge is needed when making a choice.

**Jock Scot** · 12th October 23, 11:08 AM

All right then, can anyone venture a guess on how long this trend of "over-dressing" has been going on? And why? Does it really matter?

To the last question, I can answer it. I actually think it does, because its not following Scottish kilt attire traditions and those traditions are being "watered down". Perhaps efforts could be made for kilt wearers world wide to be encouraged to re-zero their kilt attire expectations?

**FossilHunter** · 12th October 23, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

All right then, can anyone venture a guess on how long this trend of "over-dressing" has been going on? And why? Does it really matter?

To the last question, I can answer it. I actually think it does, because its not following Scottish kilt attire traditions and those traditions are being "watered down". Perhaps efforts could be made for kilt wearers world wide to be encouraged to re-zero their kilt attire expectations?

I can only opine on the US but I think there are basically two parts to this. First, the general trend toward less formal clothing in just about every facet of life. This has been the trend in the US for a long time now and has resulted in people not understanding levels of dress or knowing what levels may be appropriate for what events. Many people will never go an to event that requires a proper tux. They may wear a rental tux to their high school prom or their wedding. This doesn’t help improve understanding of when/wear to dress a certain way.

The second part is the kilt component which Richard previously mentioned. Most people in the US are not familiar with traditional kilt wearing and if they choose to buy a kilt outfit they rely on the advice or marketing of the highlandwear companies. They are given the impression that a PC, white hose, and kilt are the end all and be all of kilted dress. Then having spent a lot of money for the one outfit, will wear it to whatever “Scottish” themed events they participate in. Most of the other participants won’t be any more familiar with kilted dress than they are so the cycle continues from there.