Kilted in Baltimore

[Declan Rowan]

It does, even more so when you get the crowd forming around you and everyone wants to see what's so interesting.

[Thistle Stop]

I am going to be giving several presentations at a multiple day seminar in Las Vegas in May. Was considering following your lead and wearing the kilt. However, I was wondering how casual / formal you went. Usually when I give a presentation I have on a suit and tie. If I go with a kilt I am afraid to go too formal, as I don't want my attire to distract from the presentation. On the other hand I don't want to look too casual either! Suggestions Declan… Or any one else who has been there?

Brian Mackay
'Manu Forti'

Brian, the equivalent to a suit, with a worsted wool kilt (tartan or not) is to wear a tweed or barathea (fine wool twill) Highland-wear day jacket, in the Argyll or Crail cut, with the same kind of shirt you'd wear with a suit (button-down oxford, for example) and a normal necktie -- a turtleneck shirt would be fine too, if that's a style worn in the workplace with a suit or sportcoat. Most of the 'urban', Utilikilt-type kilts I have seen don't 'dress up' quite so well as a worsted kilt, but if it's in a solid colour and well-pressed, such a kilt could also pass muster with a similar jacket and accessories, if it doesn't have a lot of hardware or cargo pockets hanging about. You definitely don't want to wear a Prince Charlie or other formal jacket or doublet, and unless the casual look is acceptable in the circumstances, you should probably avoid a sweater, polo shirt, etc. Wear a day sporran or semi-formal sporran, conservative kilt pin, knee-length kilt socks with flashes, and business-type oxford shoes. You will look very smart and be the envy of many, I'll wager!

[Declan Rowan]

Indeed, everytime I've worn my kilt to a professional gathering (or any gathering where I've went full out), I've always gotten the attention of those in the room. I love the positive feedback from the other attendees. And, as Cyndi said, the envy of many a man comes standard with the kilt. I've been told on many occasions "I'm impressed that you wear the kilt" or, my personal favourite "wow, I wish my boyfriend/significant other/husband wore one!" (especially when said individual is behind the speaker!) [/quote]

[Hamish]

Brian, the equivalent to a suit, with a worsted wool kilt (tartan or not) is to wear a tweed or barathea (fine wool twill) Highland-wear day jacket, in the Argyll or Crail cut, with the same kind of shirt you'd wear with a suit (button-down oxford, for example) and a normal necktie -- a turtleneck shirt would be fine too, if that's a style worn in the workplace with a suit or sportcoat. Most of the 'urban', Utilikilt-type kilts I have seen don't 'dress up' quite so well as a worsted kilt, but if it's in a solid colour and well-pressed, such a kilt could also pass muster with a similar jacket and accessories, if it doesn't have a lot of hardware or cargo pockets hanging about. You definitely don't want to wear a Prince Charlie or other formal jacket or doublet, and unless the casual look is acceptable in the circumstances, you should probably avoid a sweater, polo shirt, etc. Wear a day sporran or semi-formal sporran, conservative kilt pin, knee-length kilt socks with flashes, and business-type oxford shoes. You will look very smart and be the envy of many, I'll wager!

Bravo, Cyndi! Every word as true as it gets.

I love my Utilikilts (all 9 of them), but they simply cannot be dressed-up to qualify as 'formal' or even 'semi-formal' wear. Utilikilts, by design and by fabric, are the equivalent of blue-jeans - they are leisure or work clothes ...... and fabulous ones at that. I would like, and will be getting, even more of them when I come over to North America for Vancouver's "Gathering" in August.

If I want to get away from tartan (yes, it can happen, but not too often) when dressing formally, I opt for one of my plain colour, woollen or wool-mix, traditional-style kilts from "21st Century Kilts" in Edinburgh. There are some new photos in my album over at IMFF (link below) which illustrate this, and I'll be posting some here tomorrow.

[Thistle Stop]

Bravo, Cyndi! Every word as true as it gets.

Glad you approve!

[Thistle Stop]

There are some new photos in my album over at IMFF (link below) which illustrate this, and I'll be posting some here tomorrow.

Hamish, I just looked at your new photos, and you certainly do look smart in that doublet with jabot and cuffs! And so slim! Very handsome!

[Hamish]

Hamish, I just looked at your new photos, and you certainly do look smart in that doublet with jabot and cuffs! And so slim! Very handsome!

Cyndi, I LOVE you!!

"Slim"? Me? Never! I have put on two stones during this winter and am now pushing fifteen stones, which is shameful and nothing I do is shifting it!

I won't argue about "handsome", however!!

[Thistle Stop]

I have put on two stones during this winter and am now pushing fifteen stones, which is shameful and nothing I do is shifting it!

Well, it doesn't show a bit in that doublet! You look super!