Classic kilt style - as seen at large this summer in Scotland

[Father Bill]

I don't recall ever seeing a boater being worn, out in the wild, with the kilt.

I used to wear a boater at school and at times, at University. I have to say I was amongst many who did not find them easy or, comfortable to wear as they had no "give" in them. They were substantially made and they did take a considerable beating in our hands, and soon became rather tatty. Much to the dismay of the Headmaster, or Chancellor.

Got any pictures of young Jock in a boater? I'd love to see one or two!

[Jock Scot]

I do recall one or two "boater pictures" lurking about a long time ago, but goodness knows where they are. Should I bump into one, well, I shall then have to get the hang of coping with the mysteries of posting pictures on the internet! So, don't be holding your breath!

[Father Bill]

I do recall one or two "boater pictures" lurking about a long time ago, but goodness knows where they are. Should I bump into one, well, I shall then have to get the hang of coping with the mysteries of posting pictures on the internet! So, don't be holding your breath!

That would be fun, Jock. You have my E-mail, I think, so if it becomes problematic, and you'd send it along, I'd be pleased to upload for you, you natty young man!

[Jock Scot]

Right then Bill, the hunt is on! Goodness knows what I might find? I think Gloucestershire might be the place to start!

[Pleater]

And your verdict..?

Or is the jury still out?

The overall effect is certainly a couple of notches above the usual attire - even in kilts which tend to elevate the game somewhat.
I do find that when putting on a kilt I make different choices - particularly in what shoes to wear.

These days I even put on the replacement Tilley hat I was sent after the old one wore out. I think that puts me into the 'officially old' category for all purposes. You can't really argue with having worn out a Tilley hat as an indication of age creeping up on you.
I still cling to the old one - even though it looks a bit disreputable these days. Some people display images of their spirit animal, I wear my spirit hat.
I do have some fairly fancy hose, but I only wear them with ankle length garments for fear of frightening the horses....

Anne the Pleater

[Arnot]

... pictures of the kilted “ Jock” wearing a panama or a fore and aft. Perhaps they still exist?

Here's one with a Panama.

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[AngloCelt]

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How about this trio..?

As seen cutting their respective dashes at a Highland games in Scotland this summer. And there were plenty of other such kilties at large, making these the norm and no exception.

A pleasing lot to admire, and much to envy, with three styles of classic kilt-hose and vintage-style sporrans to compliment a healthy mix of tweeds.

They look as if they have just stepped off the pages of Classic Highland Dress - an illustrated guide of how to wear it. I'm not sure if such a book exists, but it looks as if it might be a good one to have in the library under 'Popular Favourites'.

So what do we think, lads..?

Good style? Done well? What would you add, subract or change altogether..?

I'm with you, indeed the Classic look, and absolutely timeless. These cuts and tweeds look just as good today as they did in the Edwardian time and the decade or two following. If I had to change anything for my own preference it would be a pair of handknitted cable knit kilt hose. And probably a matching day plaid in their respective tartans.

[Troglodyte]

I see the rigoot of the three in the photo as being a reflection of our times - but maintaining the standards set by these boys, a-la-mode 150 years ago.

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[AngloCelt]

I see the rigoot of the three in the photo as being a reflection of our times - but maintaining the standards set by these boys, a-la-mode 150 years ago.

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Very dapper indeed!

[OC Richard]

It gets back to how one defines "traditional/classic" style versus "historical" style.

The Highlanders of Scotland captures the dress of the 1860s, in the heart of the Victorian era.

The history of Highland Dress exhibits long periods of stability punctuated by short periods of rapid change.

One of those periods of rapid change was the first quarter of the 19th century, after which Highland Dress remained fairly stable until the dawn of the 20th century, at which time it underwent a near-total transformation.

This being the case, the dress which emerged around World War One, which is still with us today, the dress I consider to be "traditional Highland Dress", saw the falling from use of a number of things which were part of Victorian Highland Dress.

A great window into the attitudes concerning "proper" (i.e., fashionable) Highland Dress in the early 20th century is The Kilt: A Manual of Scottish National Dress by Loudon MacQueen Douglas R.R.S.E., F.S.A. Scot. published in 1914.

He uses the term "Morning Dress" to refer to what was variously called "Field Dress", "Outdoor Dress", or "Day Dress" the latter term being the one that won out as the 20th century progressed. It's what a gent would wear to a Highland Games, a daytime wedding, or any other event happening prior to evening.

He says this about that form of dress:

Morning dress is a very simple affair and consists of Balmoral cap, tweed jacket and vest (sic) with plain horn buttons. The jacket and vest should be made of the lapel pattern with plain epaulettes on the shoulders.

The kilt should be made of heavier material that than worn for evening dress, but that is a matter of choice.

The sporran should be either of plain leather, or badger, but in any case be of the small round pattern.

Stockings should be of ordinary hose material, and should not be of tartan.

Picking up on his stockings comments, from around 1900 through the 1950s writers consistently state that daytime hose should be "self-coloured to match tweed jacket and vest" (1936) "plain in a shade to tone with the jacket" (1938) "plain, of a colour to tone with the kilt; tartan stockings are not correct with day dress" (late 1950s).

Throughout this period and well into the 21st century Day hose are being offered in Lovat Blue, Lovat Green, and Fawn, three popular traditional colours for tweed Day jackets.

Interesting that patterned hose, considered a faux pas in Day Dress for over a century, have recently returned to favour.