"Western" Style with Contemporary Kilts

[gary meakin]

Sorry, but for me I haven't yet seen a mixture western/scottish that "works".

I concur

[rondo]

Ive yet to figure how to make my cowboy boots work with a kilt but Im still working on it. I have no problem with the western look or leather vest...

Try lace up Packers...should work okay with western theme.
Rondo

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I think the trick to this sort of mixing of cultural elements "working" is in the context - by which I mean geographical context. I think it helps if the wearer is actually in one of the geographical locations of the culture. For example, the outfits here pictured with kilts, cowboy boots, and cowboy hats, make sense to me if the wearer is at a Highland Games in Texas. Or perhaps worn by someone from Oklahoma attending a Highland Games in Perthshire. It's that blend of mixing the traditions of one's heritage with local traditions that makes sense.

But if I saw the same outfit being worn in New Hampshire, or in Boston, it wouldn't make as much sense to me. It would look like someone is just trying to come up with some strange outfit by throwing things together that don't really belong together.

It needs that local context to make sense.

[tundramanq]

Here in New Mexico, I have seen one working farrior, reshoe a horse wearing a Workman and cowboy boots. Carrying his tools in the pockets it works out well and looks great. Cool in the heat, especially around the shoe heating furnace. He did have a leather apron on also that kept sparks out of the boots - Ouch.

[Riverkilt]

First, thanks for the "kilted cavalry" pic - now have 8 pics of kilties on horseback.

Living out here I've tried all sorts of options for a "western" look. Never been pleased with the cowboy boot with kilt look - brings visions of Dale Evens and outright FEAR of being called that (my own issue to work on). I had two pair of knee boots (cavalry replica and western) that I tried with kilts but the top of the boots were always brushing against the hem of the kilt or even snagging to where I thought I was gonna trip.

The one look I felt okay enough to photograph was a western shirt and hat with my RKilt "buckskin" leather kilt. But it was way too hot to add boots so the sandals make it look a tad weird...

[tundramanq]

Thanks Riverkilt, I figured if anyone has tried to make this work you have. When I was thinking about the boots, with my eyes closed, I kept seeing the gals at a square dance.

[James Hood]

Fascinating topic!

Looking at piccies of cowboys and Texans in kilts was fascinating, enlightening and amusing. Then geek-mind accelerated and shifted into high...Scotland is about 31 K square miles, more or less, about 11% the size of Texas.

Or Scotland is about .8 % the size of the USA.

As Scots played a significantly larger % role than that in colonizing, settling and forming this land, it stands to reason their "culture" would well evolve here as well. Evolution would tend to steer that "look" in regionally-functional and "regionally decorative" directions, independent of but incorporating original character.

And extrapolating, the "permanent expatriate" Scots and their kilts' character, look and "accessorizing" inevitably do so as well. Bravo and boldly well done, Texans!

Eew...what is the "character" or "look" of a Chicago modern kiltie...?

[ElCabong]

I have worn cowboy boots with just about everything for a long time. I wear them, often adding a bolo tie, with suits and blazers. But not kilts. It might look fine on others, but that just ain't me.

I wear regular neckties, bolo ties, and the Western ribbon tie (think "KFC") with suits, blazers, and kilts.

When not wearing a rain hat , I wear a Stetson Drifter in winter and spring and a Bailey Cutler the rest of the time - kilted or not. See below for links to the hats.

Since kilting up last summer, I mix it up and wear it all except the cowboy boots with the kilts (Armstrong, Skye, American Heritage, and Celtic Nations). I can't handle the boots with the kilt or with cuffed pants. The Pipe Spec cape also works well up here with all modes of dress.

I say mix it up and let your roots and your experience, tempered by your taste, dictate what you wear. I'll bet most everybody who grew up as a Brat, as did I, mixes it up at least a little.

I wear all this stuff to work, as the mood strikes.

http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Resear.../dp/B003P8QOV8

http://www.sheplers.com/stetson-4x-d...Source=Froogle

http://www.hats.com/product.aspx?id=135994

[Bugbear]

This isn't limited to Scottish kilts, so might not need to be thought of as mixing Scottish and Western.
A sub-set of Western might be Southwestern.
Some sort of low cut boot might work. I don't think there would be anything wrong with bluchers or even the hiking boots. There are other types of footwear worn in the southwest, as well; again, it need not be thought of as mixing Scottish and Western with the non-traditional, non-tartan, contemporary kilts. The ten-gallon cowboy hat isn't required, just a wide brim hat.

[rondo]

With apologies to Jock Scot and our friends on the other side of the pond. Try some of these. I haven't done these myself yet but seriously am considering it as I live in Colorado. I'm with Matt Newsome on this as well, context is everything. I think this would work here in Colorado but never in Scotland.

http://www.westernemporium.com/store...0.1327255595&_

http://www.spurwesternwear.com/p-114...do-jacket.aspx

http://www.shoeline.com/asp/dcpitem.asp?style=C1712

http://www.sheplers.com/tony-lama-me...BBER_MensShoes

http://www.wildwestliving.com/sibuse.html

http://www.randhats.com/hat_detail.c...if20l1636porel

I think the Packers or the shorter Double H dress boots would work better than standard cowboy boots and they still have a western style. The Vaquero jacket and the western cut Tuxedo jacket are both as short as a PC or Regulation Doublet. As for a belt and buckle, since this kit is over the top already I think I might go for a more traditional western belt and buckle combo. Add a bolo tie, and a western derby from Rich Rand to complete the kit nicely.

I have my flame retardant kilt on...have at it

Rondo