In Mourning?

[Detroitpete]

Just my view--but if I go to a funeral it is for someone who I was close to and want to pay my respects to them and thier family/friends. If we are that close then they know that having me show up kilted is a show of sincere respect.

When they toss dirt on me there'd better be kilts-a-plenty, pipes low and mournful and drums playing slow and steady. And the rabble should proceed from the site to a place warmed by friendship where they bend elbows and tell tall tales.

[RamsayClanCommish]

Actually, from what I have observed people showing up to funerals wearing in the past few years, ANY tartan with dress shirt and jacket would be a vast improvement. I don't know what has happened, but at least on the west coast, many people think blue jeans and sweatshirts is appropriate funeral wear, and I have seen women in jeans and those little tops that don't quite cover all the fat rolls at the waist. I must be a conservative old Crone. So good gentlefolk, wear with pride any tartan kilt you have. Just don't wear it with a muscle shirt.

You aren't alone.

I am constantly amazed at what people wear to "show their respects". The last funeral I went to, I too saw the women in ratty jeans with halter tops or belly shirts. Men wore ball caps inside the church during the service and had on jeans. I think only a handful of folk, myself included, wore dress clothes and ties.

I don't think any kilt is inappropriate for a funeral (save for sportkilts or utilikilts). A kilt is a fine piece of attire and you are paying the departed honor by wearing your best. No doubt, you will be classier than the majority there nowadays.

[xena]

No doubt, you will be classier than the majority there nowadays.

Even with a Sportkilt or a Utilikilt!

[The Barry]

Any tartan is appropriate, as long as it is an appropriate tartan for you to wear, if you are concerned about those conventions. As mentioned above, even the "loud MacLeod" is entirely appropriate at a funeral if it is your family tartan.

If, you do not affiliate yourself with any clan or are a non-Scottish kilt wearer, then maybe opt for a darker "McFashion" rather than a pink and yellow number.

As always, just my $.02

[greenman11]

Any kilt would be appropriate. It is the rest of the ensambe that sets the tone. I wore my Isle of Skye to my Mother-in-Laws funeral. She was so proud that I had worn it when I gave away my older daughter and was told by those attending her funeral, even my ex, that it was grand that I had done so.

I will wear a kilt to my parents funerals and any other. It is my good suit.

Wear it proudly,

[wyldathart]

I think appropriate dress also depends on the wishes of the departed. I know an aunt of mine who lived in Hawaii has put in her will that during her funeral, everyone is to wear shorts and Hawaiian shirts. If no wishes exist I think any Tartan and Nice jacket with black tie would be appropriate.

[The Celtic Gypsy]

I have been to only one funeral that someone wore a kilt. The kilt was in very subdued colors of a tartan that I have no idea what it was. He wore a dark blazer (?) with a grey shirt. It was quite nice and appropriate, as far as I was concerned.

And I agree that a lot of people today do not have the slightest idea of decorum. Their idea of what is appropriate dress and actions for different situations leaves a lot to be desired. Everything seems to be so very casual. I'm pretty liberal in most matters yet I am very bothered this pervasive casualness found just about everywhere. And now i see that I am not the only one.

[PiobBear]

Wear your clan tartan; nobody expects you to have a dedicated funeral kilt; that's silly. Simply substitute a black tie, and turn off your bloody cell phone!

Something as a funerary piper I've always wanted to see..

[vmac3205]

Amen to both the last two posts!

[Sir William]

My thoughts that are in days past men might only have one suit - or one kilt - and that is what they wore to for both weddings and funerals. It is not the color of the tartan that matters but how it is worn with respect to the occasion.