Kilt attire add-ons. Are they necessary?

[CBH]

Jock, very interesting question. I am struck by two possible trains of thought for those kilt wearers outwith Scotland. They are:

1. I bought it, so I'm going to wear it.
2. More accessories make me feel more authentic.

The second item also speaks to "kilt as costume," in that it is not everyday wear for most outwith Scotland and as such more is more or in some cases more is way too much.

Agreed this is likely the case in America. I fall into the 1st camp - it's only everyday wear - and I live in a very warm climate, so I never accompany it with any accessories.

[Cherie]

New here, and but I think that every occasion can has its own needs. So add-on as the occasion sees fit, sometimes a little is enough but sometimes dress to the hilt.

[Tomo]

Hmmm the only 'add-on' I see as necessary is a sporran (due to the absence of pockets, and even then not needed for some activities) and, personally, I can't see me wearing a kilt without hose.

The rest are then either largely optional or personal preference. The choice (if any) of shirt, jacket, vest, neckwear, socks, footwear and everything else may be driven by the occasion - but not always.

The 'add-on' I see as optional - and don't always wear - include:
- SD
- Belt
- Flashes
- Kilt Pin
- Jacket
- Vest
- Shirt & Tie
- Cufflinks (depends on the shirt)
- Balmoral (rarely worn)
- Ghillie Brogues (not worn in at least 15 years)
- Pocket Watch and Chain (worn once, 20 odd years ago)
- Dirk (never worn one)
- Plaid (don't own one or see the need to do so)
- Plaid Brooch (see previous)
- Glengarry (not in a pipe band)
- Cromach (not a shepherd, nor a serving or retired officer of a Highland Regiment)

I think there is sometimes a bit of push from the outfitters to have the whole kit and caboodle and perhaps that drives expectations to some extent.

[Father Bill]

Only quibble I'd have would be the flashes - I wear self-tied garters because I don't like socks sliding down my legs.

The rest depends on the occasion. If other men are 'black tie' for instance, I'll wear a proper jacket and perhaps either a belt or a waistcoat. The rest? Utterly optional.

Hmmm the only 'add-on' I see as necessary is a sporran (due to the absence of pockets, and even then not needed for some activities) and, personally, I can't see me wearing a kilt without hose.

The rest are then either largely optional or personal preference. The choice (if any) of shirt, jacket, vest, neckwear, socks, footwear and everything else may be driven by the occasion - but not always.

The 'add-on' I see as optional - and don't always wear - include:
- SD
- Belt
- Flashes
- Kilt Pin
- Jacket
- Vest
- Shirt & Tie
- Cufflinks (depends on the shirt)
- Balmoral (rarely worn)
- Ghillie Brogues (not worn in at least 15 years)
- Pocket Watch and Chain (worn once, 20 odd years ago)
- Dirk (never worn one)
- Plaid (don't own one or see the need to do so)
- Plaid Brooch (see previous)
- Glengarry (not in a pipe band)
- Cromach (not a shepherd, nor a serving or retired officer of a Highland Regiment)

I think there is sometimes a bit of push from the outfitters to have the whole kit and caboodle and perhaps that drives expectations to some extent.

[OC Richard]

I bought it, so I'm going to wear it.

More accessories make me feel more authentic.

"Kilt as costume."

You've perfectly summed it up.

The issues I so often see

-wearing too many accessories

-mixing items from different genres and time-periods

-wearing things in strange and overly fussy ways

can be traced back to viewing Highland Dress as costume (even historical costume) rather than clothing.

The popularity of Outlander isn't helping.

[OC Richard]

About Tomo's list I will say that as a piper-for-hire I'm expected to look smart so a jacket, tie, and bonnet are required.

Around 15 years ago Pipe Bands suddenly all stopped wearing jackets and went with just waistcoats, and most pipers wear their band kit when doing weddings and funerals, but to me that looks underdressed for those occasions.

[Jock Scot]

Tomo's list is very good and allows one to pick and choose suitable items to fit the event. All perfectly normal and usual, however, it is the overloading of the add ons that can and does ruin the overall picture.

[Jock Scot]

New here, and but I think that every occasion can has its own needs. So add-on as the occasion sees fit, sometimes a little is enough but sometimes dress to the hilt.

Well nearly! If I can use your last sentence and adjust it a tad, perhaps the point can be made perfectly.

.................So add-on as the occasion sees fit, mostly a little is enough, but very occasionally dress to the hilt....................

Of course it depends on how our social life and life in general is organised , but generally for most people , our lives are not run on "high octane"!

[Jock Scot]

About Tomo's list I will say that as a piper-for-hire I'm expected to look smart so a jacket, tie, and bonnet are required.

Around 15 years ago Pipe Bands suddenly all stopped wearing jackets and went with just waistcoats, and most pipers wear their band kit when doing weddings and funerals, but to me that looks underdressed for those occasions.

Generally speaking what Pipers and band members wear has little influence on Traditional kilt attire. Yes, they are similar at times but neither should be used as a guide to the other. THIS, is where many unwittingly make the mistake with their attire choices, particularly outwith Scotland.

[Kitfoxdave]

I tend to wear a kilt every day. The weather here is often hot and humid... when I go out about town, it is a t-shirt, kilt, hose and flashes (to hood the hose up)... a belt usually... sporran, but will be sewing pockets into my kikts as I resize them. Depending on destination, I may put a SD in my hose...
For fancy events, I wear a charcoal jacket, standing collar shirt, black silk cravat, cuff links, tie pin, kilt pin, SD waistcoat no belt. Sporran not often worn as pockets available. (Jackets have custom pewter buttons).