Kilted in Scotland Pictorial

[Bellfree]

What a great trip and some great outfits too. How did you pack all your kilts?

Andy

[sharpdressedscot]

Cool pics! Looks like a great time.

[SteveB]

Cool pictures, hope you had a grand time. Really enjoyed the wee'un.

[ForresterModern]

Suspenders AND a belt - Do we have a self-confidence issue????

But really, why are you wearing both???

I was expecting that question. Because of my girth my waist and hip measurements are the same and my kilts tend to slide down under my gut and over my ****, and the belt just wasn't doing it. But at the same time, using a sporran chain tended to bunch up my aprons under it while it also slowly slipped down under the gut. My solution to the slipping kilts are the suspenders (or braces, as they say there), and my solution to the sporran chain issue was to use sporran hangers from my belt (red jewelled silver badged hanging from either side of my belt buckle), which was along for looks and a little extra security in the kilt slippage department. I ordered matching suspenders for all my kilts but the IoS and usually wear them under a vest, sweater, or jacket so they aren't really seen (I actually have them on in every picture except those with the IoS kilt). The combination pretty much works like a charm.

And besides, i have always been a "belt and suspenders" kind of personality anyway, even though this is the first time i have worn suspenders since my first wedding.

[ForresterModern]

What a great trip and some great outfits too. How did you pack all your kilts?

Andy

The week before I left town I bought a kilt carrying set from the Order of the Gael out of Las Vegas, the one that Ron/Riverkilt was so high on in another thread over the last couple months. I got two extra hangers along with the basic set. But I did not use the actual garment bag portion because this was not going to be large enough or secure enough for my transatlantic adventure. I have a very large (6 suiter) Samsonite rolling garment bag I used and took two of the kilts on the OoG hangers with my Argyll and charcoal tweed jackets and vests on each of them, and then I used two of the kilt hangers sold by Kiltstore for the other two kilts. The garment bag held all my hose, shirts, ties, etc.., but I put the heavier accessories like sporrans, belts, and stuff in my other checked bag, due to the weight of the kilt garment bag.

I like the concept of the Order of the Gael set and will likely use it for storage of my jackets, vests, and maybe kilts, but I found the three bar 6 clamp system a bit too clumsy for my big hands, and the hanger widths just not wide enough for my either my 46-48 inch waist kilts or my 52xl jackets to fit well and drape nicely. But they worked well enough for the trip and everything survived intact.

[Jock Scot]

Great pictures and I am very glad that you all enjoyed yourselves.Please don't be offended,but a very quiet whisper in your ear may help others visiting Scotland in the future.In Scotland,UK too,suspenders keep up women's stockings--what you call suspenders we call them braces or bracers.Secondly, if you don't want to stick out like a sore thumb then leave the flat cap(I think they are called driving caps in the US) behind when wearing the kilt in Scotland.OK, I have stuck my head above the parapet and you can shoot it off if you so desire,but I am hoping that no offense has been taken.

[Glamrockdj]

Some great outfits there, really like the Black Isle kilt!

[jordanjm]

You look great in the pictures. It sounds like your trip was really fun too.

[ForresterModern]

Great pictures and I am very glad that you all enjoyed yourselves.Please don't be offended,but a very quiet whisper in your ear may help others visiting Scotland in the future.In Scotland,UK too,suspenders keep up women's stockings--what you call suspenders we call them braces or bracers.Secondly, if you don't want to stick out like a sore thumb then leave the flat cap(I think they are called driving caps in the US) behind when wearing the kilt in Scotland.OK, I have stuck my head above the parapet and you can shoot it off if you so desire,but I am hoping that no offense has been taken.

No offense taken on either account. I actually had a couple shop keepers compliment me on the use of the "braces" with my kilt as a good idea for guys of girth like myself (real shops like Hector Russell, not the tat shops).

As you can see from the pics where I am without a hat I am---well lets just say--rather "thin" on top and my head sems to get constantly sunburned when I am out and about seeing sights on vacations. Normally I would wear a simple ballcap but didn't see a single one my whole time in Scotland (other than on american tourists and in the tat shops) so I thought the country caps in matching tartan were more appropriate and functional (except in the windy highlands). They also look good back here in the states with my sweaters and winter coats. I have always been a hat person anyway. Thanks for the comments.

[Spc. Scott]

Wonderful pictures. You and your son both look great. You must be very proud!