Trendy Question

**Dreadbelly** · 15th July 05, 07:25 AM

I dunno, call me crazy, but I like how my Birkenstock clogs look with a kilt. Something of a Celtic look. They are plain and brown and simple.

And they look nice with hose.

Some folks may find fault with my black belt and black sporran though. Hah!

**bubba** · 15th July 05, 07:56 AM

Ok, you're crazy. Happy?

Clogs don't do it for me. I like shoes I can run in without running out of em.

**Dreadbelly** · 15th July 05, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by bubba

Ok, you're crazy. Happy?

Clogs don't do it for me. I like shoes I can run in without running out of em.

With my limpy gimpy leg, I can't run.

These clogs make walking so much easier for me. They greatly reduce the pain felt in my feet, back, and legs.

As an aside for running, properly fitted and worn in clogs stick to your feet like glue. People have worn these types of shoes for thousands of years so their must be something good about them.

**Mike n NC** · 15th July 05, 08:58 AM

Ok, gonna make the purists angry and maybe, if they are lucky, make some people think. For those that don't wear a kilt full time I guess I can see how it might become a question but wearing it all the time makes this a moot point. I've argued this with my MiL (yep, dare to argue and even win once in a while) several times. She is one that can only picture the kilt in its full dress mode. Nothing wrong with that but what about times that we don't want to dress up?

Stop and think about what you are talking about. Its a garment not a grail. Kilts were worn for years before they became formal attire, at work, at play and at war. Do you really think that high lace brogues and hose were the footwear of choice in those activities? I've yet to see a picture of a highlander on the battlefield wearing a P. C. and vest.

Had I spent last weekend in dress shoes and hose at the Grandfather Mountain games I wouldn't have been able to walk on Monday and even though the temp only got into the 70's, anything much heavier than a tee shirt would have been uncomfortable. Just ask the people that were dressed that way. For casual wear, work or recreational activites I see nothing wrong with a comfortable pair of boots and the hose at half mast. Rolled or scrunched? A matter of taste, just keep it neat and tastefull, I turn over one roll and then scrunch the rest.

A kilt is a kilt is a kilt is a garment and like a pair of trousers is as dressy or as casual as you want to make it. Do I wear boots with a tank? Yep. Do I wear oxfords with a casual? Yep. While I tend not to wear my tanks when there is a chance they might get damaged, they are still everyday wear.

So venerate the kilt if you will, dress it as much as you like but I will ask that you don't accessorize to the point of embarassing the rest of us, a P. C. at breakfast is prolly a little much. ;) Wear it, wear it in good taste but just wear it!

Mike

**macwilkin** · 15th July 05, 09:06 AM

Mike, this "purist" agrees with you -- a Prince Charlie is not appropriate at the games or other outdoor activities.

At several games I have attended over the years, I will see at least one person (usually the MC at the opening ceremonies) dressed in the full formal rig, Prince Charlie, Ghillie Brogues and dress sporran -- and usually it's a hot summer day, and the fellow looks miserable, or just plain out of place. In the cooler months, a tweed day jacket with a nice shirt (tie is optional), or even a turtleneck would look so much better -- and in the summer, a nice polo shirt or the "LL Bean" look (not totally casual) would fit in so much better. Yes, they are the "Master of Ceremonies" -- but at a Higland Games. A day jacket in a nice tweed (the Scottish equivalent of the sport-coat) is the most formal I would go, the "country gent" look.

Besides, everyone knows that black tie should NEVER be worn before 4.00 pm?! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

**Colin** · 15th July 05, 09:09 AM

Personally I dress for the occasion. If it's a formal event, I will break out the Argyle and the waistcoat. If it's a kilts night I may wear my hose rolled down, boots, and a rugby shirt. I see nothing wrong with either approach.

**bubba** · 15th July 05, 11:15 AM

Since I rarely have any reason to dress up I wear my kilts with a T-shirt or button up shirt, short or long sleeves depending on weather. I either wear combat boots or black atheletic shoes, hose up with the shoes, down with the boots.

**Archangel** · 15th July 05, 12:34 PM

to me, one of the beauties of a kilt is that I can go from formal to informal by a few changes and still have the kilt. I like the Doc Marten's look a la Tartan Army. My wife wants the full thick socks, right now the humidex is pushing 36C so that's not going to happen.
Haven't got a reason to do the formal kilt thing yet but I wouldn't wear the DM at the point. Have with formal pants, though. Don't like those lace-up-the-socks shoes myself unless one is the piper or dancer, that's my own rule, I guess. Just wear sensible walking shoes, probably my nike walkers.

Traditionalists: pick a period, be happy.

As an interesting side note, I read an article about the clothes designer for Rob Roy and the trouble she had with socks. They were not contemporary to RR but she felt that no socks would be unacceptable to modern viewers tastes. Can't find the link.

**jkdesq** · 15th July 05, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Mike n NC

A kilt is a kilt is a kilt is a garment and like a pair of trousers is as dressy or as casual as you want to make it. Do I wear boots with a tank? Yep. Do I wear oxfords with a casual? Yep. While I tend not to wear my tanks when there is a chance they might get damaged, they are still everyday wear.

I agree that the "Rules" of kilt wearing shouldn't be seen as sacrosanct. However, there are fashion guidelines that people follow. Some people follow far more restrictive codes than others. Examples: shoes match your belt, no loavers with a tie, no white after labour day.

I don't think it should be discouraged for people to find similar guidelines when wearing a kilt. I for one either where brogues (ie. shoes I wear with my business suit) or ghillie brogues with kilt hose when wearing my kilt to something formally. When going casual, I always where a pair of work boot type boots with regular socks. Nothing dogmatic or sacrosanct. Its just want I do.

I have seen people and pictures of people wearing the kilts with no socks and with sandals (same as clogs in my mind). Seems like a good look, but its not for me.

If I were to propose a rule for "footwear to go with a casual kilt", I would suggest that anything you can wear with shorts (ie. a pair of Bermuda or walking shorts and not a pair of surfers) is good for a kilt. Dress shoes? No. Sandals or clogs? yes. Sandals with socks? not going to get into that disagreement. Loafers? no. Lace up casual shoes (including work boots)? yes.

My proposal -- not put forward as anything I would defend to any length.

**Geoduck** · 15th July 05, 01:01 PM

I'm hearing basically the same sort of thing from most of us: "Do what you will, within reason."

I agree with the rule of mataching sporran, shoes and belt. Just a good rule.

Personally, I would NEVER be able to wear white shoes, it's just my personal taste. Similar personal problems with sandles and socks at the same time (too many old men in Seattle with birkenstocks and black socks).

I love wearing my hiking boots and my sandles with a tartan, and you really can't break any rules in a UK anyhow.

I'm definately with Todd on the L.L. Bean look for the fall and winter time. A nice sweater or jacket looks nice and you still maintain the dignity of the kilt.

Ultimately though, in an informal setting, as long as you have the (proper) kilt on facing the proper direction (this has now become a new pet peeve of mine) you can't mess it up too much. Just remember guys: If we have decided to make the kilt a garment, rather than a costume, it is up to us to create our own style of kilt wear. If we don't then we're all just following the trends, and who wants that? ;)