Prince Charles Duke of Rothesay in kilt photos

[thescot]

It may be that he has several of the same kind or from the same place, but it appears to me that HRH has a favorite brown sporran. It can be seen in pictures of him with his young children all the way up to events with Camilla (sp?).

I noticed exactly the same thing.

And I'm thinking that it might be the very best look to emulate. It's understated yet classy.

and I did notice that his shoe color is almost always black with brown sporran, no less. Hmmm. Time to rethink?

[McClef]

I never looked at his shoes before! Interesting!

[JSFMACLJR]

I noticed exactly the same thing.

And I'm thinking that it might be the very best look to emulate. It's understated yet classy.

and I did notice that his shoe color is almost always black with brown sporran, no less. Hmmm. Time to rethink?

Some of us have been advocating this for some time

[thescot]

Some of us have been advocating this for some time

Yeah, I noted that before. the Duke just looks dam**d good in his clothes.

But I have paid very particular attention to the fine details of the Duke's dress, and I noticed a couple of things that I personally want to think about:

1. His jackets and vests have a very business suit look to them. No epualets, no special cuffs, no bone buttons, etc. Custom tailored, no doubt.
2. The vests are all square cut at the bottom, and I like that look.
3. He only wears about two sporrans for the most part, and they are both brown "hunters," only one had a metal cantle.
4. His hose are fancier than his jackets.
5. His shoes and sporran do not match, AND IT'S OK!
6. He often has a very simple lapel flower. I never see a man with a flower like that anymore.
7. His pocket silk matches the jacket with little contrast
8. His "blanket pin" kilt pin moves up and down
9. There are often brass buttons kind of like a blazer, which I have never seen on a kilt jacket for sale
10. He could do with a bonnet.

[JSFMACLJR]

I noticed a couple of things that I personally want to think about:


3. He only wears about two sporrans for the most part, and they are both brown "hunters," only one had a metal cantle.
4. His hose are fancier than his jackets.

6. He often has a very simple lapel flower. I never see a man with a flower like that anymore.

9. There are often brass buttons kind of like a blazer, which I have never seen on a kilt jacket for sale
10. He could do with a bonnet.

Okay, Jim...some comments:
3. I'm always amazed at the great number of sporrans, and kilts, and stuff that some Xmarkers have, or think they need. The sporrans Prince Charles wears are old ones, too--been in the family for years. I know he has a sporran made by Davie Lamont, but I've never seen him wear it.

6. I frequently wear a flower in my buttonhole, even with the kilt!

9. Not sure what you are referring to, re: the brass buttons. I'd love to learn more.

[ThistleDown]

Yeah, I noted that before. the Duke just looks dam**d good in his clothes.

But I have paid very particular attention to the fine details of the Duke's dress, and I noticed a couple of things that I personally want to think about:

1. His jackets and vests have a very business suit look to them. No epualets, no special cuffs, no bone buttons, etc. Custom tailored, no doubt.
3. He only wears about two sporrans for the most part, and they are both brown "hunters," only one had a metal cantle.
5. His shoes and sporran do not match, AND IT'S OK!
9. There are often brass buttons kind of like a blazer, which I have never seen on a kilt jacket for sale
10. He could do with a bonnet.

Jim, HRH wears what most of the Highland gentry wear today. That is, none of the military and/or 18C and 19C bits and pieces like gauntlet cuffs and epaulets. Just a normal jacket cut to work with the kilt. Actually, he has a large number of sporrans about the place, but chooses to wear just his favourites, mostly ones that he has inherited. He's been gifted a few, but I doubt he has purchased one in his life. His shoes are always black because that is traditional with Highland dress. I've not seen the brass buttons, but would love to! The only time the Highland gentry wear bonnets is when they have to display a clutch of feathers; he doesn't have to do that, so no bonnet.

[thescot]

Jim, HRH wears what most of the Highland gentry wear today. That is, none of the military and/or 18C and 19C bits and pieces like gauntlet cuffs and epaulets. Just a normal jacket cut to work with the kilt. Actually, he has a large number of sporrans about the place, but chooses to wear just his favourites, mostly ones that he has inherited. He's been gifted a few, but I doubt he has purchased one in his life. His shoes are always black because that is traditional with Highland dress. I've not seen the brass buttons, but would love to! The only time the Highland gentry wear bonnets is when they have to display a clutch of feathers; he doesn't have to do that, so no bonnet.

JSFMACLJR and you both made some very insightful and helpful comments. Thank you.

First off, I may have been mistaken about the brass buttons. On closer inspection, they may all be a light colored bone. but they look like falt, brushed brass, and I think that might look pretty good.

Is there any place one can actually buy the jackets without the epaulets, cuffs, etc. off the rack? I've not seen them, and the overall look is very conservative. I think Kinlock Anderson might have such, but theirs are all pretty pricey.

I didn't know that fact about the bonnets. It's good to know, and I've never heard that before. I suppose a bonnet becomes a sign of the non-gentry.

I have slowly worked through many different sporrans and other items, but I have also slowly settled on certain standard pieces which are pretty conservative. I am in the process of commissioning a sporran similar to HRH's from Janet Eagleton because I want a standard, traditional look in a sporran that my grandson will still be wearing when my carcus has long since stopped being worm's meat. I intend to wear it for the rest of my life.

Again, I appreciate the comments.

[ThistleDown]

JSFMACLJR and you both made some very insightful and helpful comments. Thank you.

First off, I may have been mistaken about the brass buttons. On closer inspection, they may all be a light colored bone. but they look like falt, brushed brass, and I think that might look pretty good.

Is there any place one can actually buy the jackets without the epaulets, cuffs, etc. off the rack? I've not seen them, and the overall look is very conservative. I think Kinlock Anderson might have such, but theirs are all pretty pricey.

I didn't know that fact about the bonnets. It's good to know, and I've never heard that before. I suppose a bonnet becomes a sign of the non-gentry.

I have slowly worked through many different sporrans and other items, but I have also slowly settled on certain standard pieces which are pretty conservative. I am in the process of commissioning a sporran similar to HRH's from Janet Eagleton because I want a standard, traditional look in a sporran that my grandson will still be wearing when my carcus has long since stopped being worm's meat. I intend to wear it for the rest of my life.

Again, I appreciate the comments.

You are welcome, Jim. Thank you for claifying the brass buttons, the Duke does certainly have bone and horn buttons on some of his jackets, so that may well be what you were seeing. As you say though, brushed brass and bronze would be interesting and certainly in keeping with livery styles if one were not trying to portray the laird of glenloude or some such. (edit: that was not as it came across in a re-read. Sheesh! Just to say that brass and bronze smacks of 19C livery buttons -- good, but with caution).

Most manufacturers of Highland jackets will be pleased to provide you with the less military style of today. Have a word with any of the sponsors here.

As for the Balmoral bonnet, all I meant to say was that those who wear it must do so in order to display their feathers; the Duke or Rothesay needs no such device to be recognised. Most men in the Highlands today do not wear the Balmoral and I've not seen a Glengarry worn by a "native" in years. No flatcaps, fedoras, Stetsons or ballcaps, for sure, but the odd deerstalker will be seen worn by a kilted gentleman during the day hours.

Prince Charles has many kilts, jackets and sporrans in his wardrobe -- and he does not wear Highland dress as his daily attire. Those of us who do wear the kilt most every day may be permitted to assemble an array not unlike those who have jeans, casual slacks, dress trousers, sport coats, suits, tuxedos, shorts and all and all in their own closets and chests. Regardless of the size and extent of our dressing rooms we still have our favourites, just as does the Duke of Rothesay (and his valet).

Preferences change as we change. I inherited a wonderful old wildcat sporran that is not politically correct to wear today, given that the Highland wildcat is now an endngered species; HRH has a superb sealskin he no longer wears even thought the seal is certainly not endangered and his wee pelt was taken years and years ago. That's how over the generations these collections come to be.

Oh yes, and we have to keep the HIghland outfitter economy alive and well, too

[HarborSpringsPiper]

The only time the Highland gentry wear bonnets is when they have to display a clutch of feathers; he doesn't have to do that, so no bonnet.

Unless there is some other reason behind it, seems hat wearing has then fallen by the wayside there as it has in the rest of the Western world, which is a shame. I am not sure I have ever seen Prince Charles wear a hat outdoors unless in military uniform, kilt or not. I don't know if that is reflective of his Royal status, though I know in decades past I certainly saw pictures of the Royals wearing Fedoras, top hats, etc. Off hand, I can't say if Prince Charles' forebearers wore bonnets when outdoors in Highland wear or not. Certainly there are some gentried Highlanders wearing a Balmoral without feathers in these pictures.

[ThistleDown]

Certainly there are some gentried Highlanders wearing a Balmoral without feathers in these pictures.

Would you mind pointing them out? There are certainly some who do -- of course -- and I apologise for lumping.