interesting photo

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Interesting comments, all.

First, I have no idea who the people in the photo are, or what the context is. I just came across the photo in a web search and it caught my eye.

Dspite the fact that there are obviously a lot of "kilt rules" that are being broken or ignored, I think the overall look works well, at least for this bunch of guys.

To me, these outfits seem like the kind of exaggerated ensembles that you might expect to see being sported by a fashion model on a runway in New York on Tartan Day. Usually that kind of thing only looks decent on the runway and in a regular street context, looks way off.

But these guys are not on a runway, and do not appear to be fashion models (well, the guy second from right could certainly qualify!), yet they seem to be able to pull off the look and make it work.

The first thing that actually struck me was the mix of colors, patterns and textures in their clothing. A lot of us today are afraid of mixing patterns, and so tend to wear only solid-color clothing with our kilts. In actuality, combining patters and textures can actually create a look quite pleasing to the eye, and this photo illustrates that.

The second thing I noticed was the old horse hair sporrans. Hair sporrans are typically reserved for parade wear these days, but 100 years ago were more common wear with the kilt. Their use in this photo is evocative of that, and the shall-we-say "vintage" condition of the sporrans adds to that retro-look. Plus it compliments the rag-tag appearance of the group. Kind of like the old Highlander whose only sporran may have been his dad's old regimental sporran, and he's going to wear it because it's the only one he has, despite the fact that he's missing a tassell or twa!

Lastly, it is obvious that none of their jackets are "kilt jackets." It looks like they were going out in the cold and put on the jackets they had to keep warm, and didn't fuss too much over whether they were the "proper cut" for a kilt.

I'll admit, the look sported in this photo probably wouldn't look good on most people. But these guys seem to be able to carry it, and I do like the overall feel of the photo.

[Riverkilt]

I'm with Sammac on this one, looks like a group of long time friends on the town. And, like Matt says, the mix of textures and colors is amazing - and it seems to work as a group.

Take any one of these guys and put him wandering alone and each would probably not look as good as they do in the group.

Whether actors, or a group of friends, they for sure seem rabble - colorblind rabble with little regard for tradition - but fun friendly rabble...

And a great photo it is. To me it conveys the sense of kilting.

Ron

[cavscout]

Comfortable, casual fun! For some reason the beat-up old horsehair sporrans are working for me with this gang....

re. original pic~

what a great picture! ...For all that it breaks a few rules of kilt etiquette, I think it's a great look, especially en masse!

It's great to see the polished shoes and the happy faces. The rest looks as though it's had a very heavy night!

These are my sentiments as well. I'm sure these lads are sharing some great stories about whatever happened that night Rabbie Burns would be proud me thinks.

[beloitpiper]

It is pretty confusing. From the bottom up, they have relly nice, polished shoes. The hose look like their either army or scouts. The sporrans also look military, but have definitely seen better days. The kilts are pretty interesting, but I disagree with people saying the second-to-the-left is a huge sett. I think the vertical section is hidden behind the sporran.

I think either these guys will be having, or just had, a great night out. It's amazing how many 'guidelines' thee guys break and still look completely natural and appropriate in a kilt!

[starbkjrus]

Comfortable, casual fun! For some reason the beat-up old horsehair sporrans are working for me with this gang....

snip...

For all that it breaks a few rules of kilt etiquette, I think it's a great look, especially en masse!

It's great to see the polished shoes and the happy faces. The rest looks as though it's had a very heavy night!

I agree with all here. I don't have the eye to put together such carefully planned random outfits. Wish I did. I should look so good after an all night pub crawl.

[Raphael]

Nice Picture. I think they look comfortable and they did the best to look good.

[The Barry]

I like the slightly scruffy look that they have going on in htis photo. It makes them seem, well, a little more... real.

[tyger]

....what I find most interesting, perhaps, is the fact that all of their shoes are freshly shined. An event, to be sure.

[Kiltman]

The first thing that strikes me is that three of them have horse hair sporrans. If they are like the ones I'm use to they don't function very well as sporrans and have little if any room for items in them.

[aviewfrom]

Jay Flats (whose name Rex found and that also appears in the photo properties), appears to be the man third from the left and has a myspace page, Here, showing his location being as Los Angeles. Also, according to a comment he left on a myspace page owned by "kira", Here, on Oct 22, 2007 8:49 PM, he purchased his kilt at the "Real Man" store.

Maybe someone with more interest can email Jay and get the story behind the photo.