Where to get a high quality Ghillie Shirt (100% cotton)

**jsrnephdoc** · 2nd March 25, 08:38 AM

We have at least 2 threads going now that "cover" articles promoted as appropriate for wearing with a kilt that are roundly (and probably appropriately) dissed by contributors. One is this, about "Ghillie Shirts." My guess (pure guess—I have NO informed knowledge) is that modern buttonholes and drawstrings may not have coexisted with real Ghillies. In contrast, I suspect few of us maintain any romantic notions about Prince Charlie jackets existing back when Prince Charlie was attempting to motivate the clans, but clearly their use is widely accepted now—indeed, probably the standard—for formal events. MY question is about what to wear at decidedly INFORMAL events that would be respectful of recent Scottish history and custom, especially outdoors, when the temperatures are warm and the midges are biting. Certainly not a T-shirt emblazoned across the chest with "I went to Culloden, and all I got was this T-shirt."

Just what IS appropriate for covering one's upper body on those occasions? My guess is just an ordinary monochromatic button-front cotton shirt, or possibly even a collared and monochrome "rugby shirt," but I have no real idea.

I have similar thoughts about those "Ghillie" boots that appear as if they might have resulted from a pair of "high-end" business brogue shoes consorting with military fatigue boots, to the benefit of neither.

**jsrnephdoc** · 2nd March 25, 08:43 AM

I did not see OC Richard's brand new post while composing my own, but now that it precedes mine chronologically I'll apologize, except to wonder where one might find one of those shirts that might save one's arms from the midges.

**User** · 2nd March 25, 08:53 AM

Informal? I suppose you can wear whatever you like. Personally, I always wear a dress shirt. But that's just my sense of style. Tattersall is an old English shirt pattern that looks good with a kilt, and might be popular in Scotland due to proximity and age. But, you'd need the Scots on this forum to confirm or deny that. I'm just speculating.

**FossilHunter** · 2nd March 25, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by User

Informal? I suppose you can wear whatever you like. Personally, I always wear a dress shirt. But that's just my sense of style. Tattersall is an old English shirt pattern that looks good with a kilt, and might be popular in Scotland due to proximity and age. But, you'd need the Scots on this forum to confirm or deny that. I'm just speculating.

Tattersall and other checked patterns are country clothing and along with tweed seem to be popular throughout Britain among those living/working in the country. Estate workers, country gentlemen, farmers.

**Jock Scot** · 3rd March 25, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by FossilHunter

Tattersall and other checked patterns are country clothing and along with tweed seem to be popular throughout Britain among those living/working in the country. Estate workers, country gentlemen, farmers.

Exactly so, although Tattersall patterned shirts are universally worn throughout the UK by many. With the kilt, the pattern on the shirt does not need to be too loud and “ lumberjack” patterned shirts are best avoided as the loud colours do not help the overall look when worn with the kilt.

**figheadair** · 2nd March 25, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by User

Informal? I suppose you can wear whatever you like. Personally, I always wear a dress shirt. But that's just my sense of style. Tattersall is an old English shirt pattern that looks good with a kilt, and might be popular in Scotland due to proximity and age. But, you'd need the Scots on this forum to confirm or deny that. I'm just speculating.

A casual day last summer. That said, the hose were new and I wanted to given them an outing. I'd normally wear plain hose for such days.FB_IMG_1721459791875.jpg

**User** · 2nd March 25, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

A casual day last summer. That said, the hose were new and I wanted to given them an outing. I'd normally wear plain hose for such days.FB_IMG_1721459791875.jpg

Oh, that's a fantastic look! I hope to own kilt hose like those someday.
What's that brown band with metal discs on the top of your kilt?

**figheadair** · 2nd March 25, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by User

Oh, that's a fantastic look! I hope to own kilt hose like those someday.
What's that brown band with metal discs on the top of your kilt?

The brown band is cotton twill tape, it, in varius colours, was popular for binding the top of a kilt from the second half of the 19th to the mid-20th centuries. Matching tartan band, which only match at the front of course, became popular with massed production in the second half of the 20th century. That does not mean that there weren't kilts with a tartan band earlier; there were, but they were less common and usually used a different tartan for the band.

The metal disks are buttons for braces and are the original ones from c.1920 which I reused when the kilt was resized to fit me.

**Steve Ashton** · 2nd March 25, 02:07 PM

If you want an actual historical pattern for a shirt you can find them in a variety of places. I have used both of these and can vouche for them both.

Folkwear has a shirt they call a Mississippi River Boatman's shirt. I have used this pattern and it is nice.
https://www.folkwear.com/en-ca/produ...603627e8&_ss=r

I did up this outfit for a customer who wanted to attend an event that was specifically "historical". So of course he let me try it on.

Black Snail has a pattern that they call Georgian Empire Regency men's shirt. I have made this one too.
https://blacksnailpatterns.com/en/pr...6-pdf-download

Then it comes down to what fabric you choose. If you are looking for a historical type of fabric may I suggest "Linsey-Woolsey".
https://www.wmboothdraper.com/produc...insey-woolsey/

Cotton was known and available in the 1700's in Scotland but was imported from India, Egypt or the Americas so was expensive. The same with Silk.
If you prefer Cotton I would look on both of the websites I mention above as they sell fabrics that are close to what would have been used. But you do not want to go with modern Cotton shirt fabrics like you would find in a modern Oxford shirt. When doing shirts that look sort of historical I found that the blue and white striped pillow ticking give a nice look.

But - I'm not one that usually dresses in "Historical" clothing. I usually say that if I would not wear a shirt with trousers, I would not wear it with my kilt.

**Jock Scot** · 4th March 25, 04:33 AM

Originally Posted by User

Informal? I suppose you can wear whatever you like. Personally, I always wear a dress shirt. But that's just my sense of style. Tattersall is an old English shirt pattern that looks good with a kilt, and might be popular in Scotland due to proximity and age. But, you'd need the Scots on this forum to confirm or deny that. I'm just speculating.

I am afraid that the pictures that I have posted on this website over the years have now disappeared, as they seem to do. Added to which my technical know-how with computers is at the very best , basic and the present system defeats me. If you would like to furnish me with your email address-----by PM----- I could probably send you a picture or three of this kilted gentleman in Highland casual kilt attire.