I'm finally posting my pic

[tomcherv]

This is what I wore for my scout meeting in November. Sorry for the delay - I just pulled the pic out of the camera last night.



This is the kilt I made myself (pleated to stripe), but I think I need to make a few more adjustments. Other than my greatkilt, this is the only other kilt I've worn.

I wore it yesterday (St. Andrew's Day) as I was running errands (Walmart, Home Improvement Store, another store, putting gas in the car, fabric store, and Taco Bell). In one way, it was a little disappointing; no one asked me any questions or said anything to me. That said, I certainly enjoyed wearing it, and I'm planning to do so more frequently.

The adjustment I'm thinking I need to make is increasing the rise. I can add about 2 inches quite easily. What do you think?

[GlassMan]

You look smashing and kudos for being brave enough to make your own!

And I agree that a higher rise would look best. Believe me, it does wonders for hiding any middle-age spread (this coming from a constant beneficiary of that fact).

[Hamish]

Hi Tomcherv,

I think the kilt looks fine just as it is, but you should wear a kilt belt with it - even if you do not need a belt it adds the finishing touch!

I don't see how you can add a 2" rise without it looking like a section that you've added on, but you're the expert and will know better than I about such things - I can barely resew a button!!

Finally, a wee word about the hose (if I may)! Whilst the hose is spectacular and would go well with a number of other tartans, I fear it just does not compliment the Black Stewart. When wearing your Scout uniform shirt, as you are here, beige or oatmeal hose would look a hundred times neater. Some might advise black hose with that kilt, and that would work if you were also wearing a black jacket or shirt, but not otherwise. Black hose with a black kilt and light top would make you look too 'heavy' below the waist. Generally, the best effect is created by matching your hose to the most dominant colour of your 'top', be it a shirt, T-shirt or jacket. As I've stated many times: it is a matter of achieving an overall visual balance.

I have never been too keen on Black Stewart for myself, but I must say you wear it well and do it justice. Congratulations.

[motorman4life]

I agree with Ham, the green socks are out of balance with the tartan. Unless you are required to wear the green socks. I which case, you may want to wear a tee shirt that matches the socks. The navy tee shirt seems to actually make the conflict worse, since it conflicts with the tartan and socks.

A red tee and oatmeal socks (with red trim as shown or maybe even red flashes) would be just the ticket!

Oh, and a nice wide belt is a must! It really finishes off the look nicely.
Great start!

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Hey Tomcherv, nice looking kilt! I would not bother adding a rise, it looks good as is, and with the addition of a belt would be fine. Of course, I prefer to my kilts worn closer to where I would wear p#$%s, so it is your preference. I do agree with Glasman that it can hide any "spread" around the middle!

I was all set to disagree with Ham about the hose, but after a second and third look, I have to agree that they would look better (they are part of the uniform, no?) if the t-shirt was red, or even olive to match the socks. The scout shirt works well, and in fact some of the badges pick up the colors in the tartan nicely.

[Bob C]

Critical bunch, aren't we, Tom? :grin:

Congrats on making your own kilt. That's a skill that's WAY beyond me.

For some reason, those hose remind me of my own days as a Scout. I'm not sure why.

[Nick]

The socks are official Boy Scouts of America uniform, though ;)

The old socks, before the red tops, were all green with green flashes.

The kilt looks good. Darn sight better than my first attempt!

I was thinking about making a solid kilt out of cotton twill in the same color as the uniform pants.

What council are you in?

[chasem]

those socks are part of the scout uniform if I remember right.

Excellent tips on how to match up the socks with another shirt, or how to much up hose with that shirt, but I think both were worn as they were part of the uniform.


Excellent looking kilt, Tom

[GMan]

My prejudice is showing, as I think that the scout uniform does look better with a kilt than shorts, and Tom showed us a protoype of the new scout uniform. Well done.

[Wompet]

And here's another vote for green undershirt to match the uniform socks. Too bad you didn't have one of the old olive uniform shirts - no one would have even noticed the undershirt.

As for the rise, I would extend it at most an inch, so it would be at the traditional waist (it looks halfway between the traditional and "modern" waists right now) and add a belt - either a regular kilt belt with a scouting themed buckle, or an olive drab web belt to match the uniform socks (and undershirt!).

Otherwise, it's a good look. And now I'm going to e-mail this page to one of my college roommates, an active Eagle Scout who I'm surprised never tried this himself (to my knowledge).
(Of course, the one troop we worked with in college - this might not have been a good idea.)