1 Great Kilt, 10 Looks: A Visual Guide to Modern Great Kilting

[Sir Didymous]

This thread is an attempt to show that the great kilt can be used in a modern context. That is not to say that it is in any way a traditional (by the current meaning of the word) garment. Nor is this to be taken that the belted plaid is appropriate as a substitute for p@nts. But rather, this thread is to show that the great kilt can be worn in a manner that is respectable enough to fit in with the modern or traditional kilt in most (not all) situations. Many here maintain that the great kilt is an anachronism and has no business being included as an option to the modern or traditional kilt. That is their right. This is for the rest of us.

Now that that's out there: Thus begins the looks.

Very Casual:


A button down shirt, leather sporran, hose, and canvas sneakers. The shirt stretches the boundaries of "very" casual, but I'm not the T-shirt type (only wearing them for work). In fact, I would have been wearing loafers in this image had they not been left at the church following a quick change that I had to do. Also, the kilt is brooched plaid to plaid to prevent putting holes in the shirt and to stop it from riding back and choking me.

Sporty:


Here I have on basically what I wear to work, the exception being the great kilt. The fly section of it is considered a safety hazard in the distribution center I work in. This look includes a T-shirt with a sweat shirt over it, a leather sporran, hose, and canvas sneakers. I have the top portion brooched to the sweat shirt using a yin/yang button (inspired by the Coca-Cola belt plate in another thread). I normally wouldn't wear this "look" as most of my sports involve armor and rule 11 violations.

Here is the same look with the top arranged to be more suitable for active participation in sporting events.



Renfair:


Yes, I know that this thread is for modern attire. However, as almost anyone that has ever been to a renfair can tell you, they aren't really historical. The accuracy issues with this look make my brain cry. It is a modern look for a historically themed festival. This is why I didn't include my 17th century reenactment kit. This is the look that enters into the mind of most people when you say great kilt. This is a ruffled shirt, a black lace-up doublet, moggans with garter ties, a leather sporran, dirk, and the kilt is arranged in the "toga" manner that keeps traditionalist awake at night. It is pinned with a bone bodkin.

Daywear:


This is how I look most of the time I wear a great kilt. It is just a standard shirt and tie with a waistcoat, leather sporran, two-toned hose, and loafers. the kilt is brooched at the shoulder to the waistcoat. This is my idea of a walking outfit. The top comes in handy for a surprise bought of rain (since that's what Ohio is all about these days).

Smart daywear:


This is an all white flannel shirt with button down collar (also not traditional kilt attire), a woven wool tie, bottle green jacket, leather sporran, two-tone hose, and loafers. My hair is back and my bonnet has been included. This is what I would wear to a street festival that I was going to be at all day. The jacket and white shirt (though it's a casual shirt) spiffys up the whole look. The leather sporran, wool tie, and lack of brooch helps keep it down to earth. The brooch has been omitted in favor of using a lapel pin to attach the fly portion to the jacket. Note that with heavier tartan, a safety pin on the inside of the jacket puts less strain on the cloth.

Dressy:


For weddings and such (the ones I'm attending, not officiating), I like to include the dressier brooch and use a tasseled and metal cantled sporran with the more dignified one color hose and garter ties. Also an embroidered tie adds a nice touch, as do the monk strap shoes. Note: The shorter-than-normal cut on the jacket keeps it from bunching in back. Also, that isn't a mushroom on my shoulder, it's a part of the farm equipment in the background photo-bombing me.

Suit:


This is where one really starts to push the envelope of where and when a great kilt is acceptable. I have had business meetings in this outfit and have also done a couple of pastoral hospital visits in attire similar to this (the people around town call me the kilt wearing preacher). The matching pocket square and tie pair with the red of the garter ties. The grey jacket (cut short enough to button with the belted plaid) and brown hose help keep it within the color range appropriate for business. The top of the kilt is pinned with a cross and crown of thorns lapel pin. The brass cantled calf skin sporran plays nicely off of the rest of the kit. The white broad cloth shirt with collar stays also lends a dressier touch to it. I wouldn't wear it to a funeral, but I still see it as being quite dignified.

Semi-formal:


Though this term takes on many different meanings around this forum, this is my take on it. It is a step above suit, but not quite black tie. The shell jacket is worn here with the top buttoned back in the fashion of small lapels to let the tie show. It is worn over the kilt so that it can be unbuttoned through the course of the night. The kilt is pulled through the epaulet (function epaulets are very nice when wearing the great kilt) and brooched at the shoulder. Keeping with traditional rules, the hose are still solid colored with garter ties. I also use a tie knot called "the Merovingian" to help modernize the look as well as fancy it up a bit.