Kilt Do's and Don'ts

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Hey, I actually know the two guys on the left, though I've never seen the one on the right. I think his all-tartan outfit looks sharp! I'm not saying everyone can pull it off, but he does.

I've never seen a tartan PC jacket before, but I have seen tartan Montrose doublets and Sherrifmuir jackets, and these look smashing. Very elegant. Defintely should be reserved for the most formal of occasions. But Todd is correct, there is definitely historic prescident for it.

Oh, and Dread, there is nothing that says not to wear a belt with a PC jacket. It's the vest that determines whether or not to wear a belt. Any time you wear a vest, whether a PC vest or not, you would not want to wear a belt.

Aye,
Matt

[Cawdorian]

We must remember that highland dress as we know it today has evolved over several centuries. What was viewed as correct in 1901 may not be viewed as correct today. This tartan jacket is historically correct, it is a well tailored and obviously custom tailored garment. The tartan on the jacket exactly matches that of the kilt and is obviously made of the same weight tartan.

Matt suggested a book to me a few months ago entitled "The Kilt and How to Wear it" by Stuart Ruaidri Erskine, this book was written in 1901. One chapter discusses the Doublet as he calls it, we know it today as the jacket.

He notes "For great occasions such as balls, dinners, evening reception, audiences at Court, and the like, the tartan doublet is, in my opinion, the best and most picturesque wear. This should be made of the wearer's own clan tartan or livery; and there is no necessity to give it an uncommon shape."

He further notes "By all means cut your evening doublets after ancient models; but pray be careful not to let your shapes neglect the present day. The white shirt and high collar , however much they may offend artistically, should not be banished from our dress. Rather they should be managed in such a manner as, whilst leaving their starched and formal sovereignty intact, yet depreive them of undue prominence."

Toward the end of the chapter he goes into a discourse against black broadcloth jackets as English stuff!

So in my opinion this is a kilt do, it is a mode of highland dress that is very rarely seen today, but it is historically correct according to the standards of the period and Mr. Erskine's 1901 book. It agree with Matt that the outfit is very well done.

The Kirk'n service, as celebrated in the Presbyterian Church commemorates, among other things, the historical roots of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.

[Paul Henry]

The Kirk'n service, as celebrated in the Presbyterian Church commemorates, among other things, the historical roots of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.

Off topic but just had to comment, having been brought up in a Scottish Presbyterian Church , I had never heard of the "Kirk'n service" until reading this board! I suspect it is more common in the US

[Cawdorian]

Paul,

You are indeed correct this is an American tradition.

[possingk]

Hey, I actually know the two guys on the left, though I've never seen the one on the right. I think his all-tartan outfit looks sharp! I'm not saying everyone can pull it off, but he does.

I've never seen a tartan PC jacket before, but I have seen tartan Montrose doublets and Sherrifmuir jackets, and these look smashing. Very elegant. Defintely should be reserved for the most formal of occasions. But Todd is correct, there is definitely historic prescident for it.

Oh, and Dread, there is nothing that says not to wear a belt with a PC jacket. It's the vest that determines whether or not to wear a belt. Any time you wear a vest, whether a PC vest or not, you would not want to wear a belt.

Aye,
Matt

Matt, I am glad that I am not the only one that didn't think it looked too bad. I don't think I could pull it off (or afford it), but I thought he did well with it.