Right or Wrong

[kc8ufv]

[QUOTE=McFarkus;940195]Just remember, there are no kilt police.[QUOTE]
But there are kilt inspectors. I've run into a few, and they will not hesitate to inspect even a modern utility kilt...

[O'Callaghan]

The historical shirt that the oft-seen "Jacobite shirt" represents is anachronistic to the modern kilt, which is a Victorian era product, and as such should only be worn with the great kilt IMHO.

Initially at least the great kilt would have been worn over a leine (linen tunic), as the great kilt derives originally from the cloak (brat) worn by Irish gaels who settled in the Scottish highlands, and that's what they wore.

[SlackerDrummer]

Initially at least the great kilt would have been worn over a leine (linen tunic), as the great kilt derives originally from the cloak (brat) worn by Irish gaels who settled in the Scottish highlands, and that's what they wore.

Then we're agreed. Jacobite shirts should be avoided.

[gary meakin]

BCAC - I understand how you feel. I kind of felt that way when I first joined this group. But the more I read the more I realized that the opinions vary here as much as anywhere else.
And there was also a lot of useful information to be garnered
I got interested in all things Scottish from attending highland games here in New England.
So jacobite shirts were everywhere. As well as off-white hose.
I got all my “Scottish stuff” based on what I saw at these games.

I have 3 different color jacobite shirts. I even have a jacobite swordsman’s vest. I wear the jacobite stuff when I’m working our clan tent at the highland games. In my opinion it’s OK to look “costumy” working at the games.
I feel that attendants expect to see the paraders dressed in something different than an argyle jacket and tie, but when I’m wearing the kilt at any other time, I shy away from anything that might make it look like a costume.

I understand the aversion to off-white hose but I personally don’t see anything wrong with how they look. However, since I’ve belonged here, I can honestly say that every picture I’ve seen where color or diced hose are being worn looks better than off-white hose.

This forum is a great place for information. As long as you can distinguish the opinion from the fact you can learn a lot.
The general consensus IS that you should wear what you’re comfortable wearing. It’s only in specific discussions that the different opinions are exchanged.
I haven’t seen anyone post a picture here and be berated and chastised for what they’re wearing. If they ask for a critique, they’ll get one. And if you got a new jacobite shirt and wanted to show it off here, I’m sure no-one would belittle you for wearing it. (at least not publicly on the forum).

I for one don’t care how good someone’s outfit is if his sporran is hanging too low. It ruins the whole thing for me. But that’s me. I have my opinions just like everyone else.

These are a great bunch of people here. They’ll support you when you need it and they’ll give you thier opinion when you ask for it. And they’ll probably let you wear a jacobite shirt if you want to.

Gary

PS Also, listen to Jock Scot. He knows what he’s talking about

PSS I have 3 XL jacobite shirts I'll sell you if you're interested.
1 white, 1 black, 1 denim.

[Burly Brute]

I think we should be really traditional and stick to the feilidh-mhor.

[thescot]

Welcome aboard.

Rocky said it quite well, and others have added to it, so I won't start another long diatribe on the subject. Suffice it to say that a jacobite shirt and/or white hose are not very "traditional" right now in Scotland. I have a very nice pair of hand-knit white hose I've owned for many years, but I don't wear them much since I have come to agree that colored hose look better--except when dressed at the black tie level or above, and then I wear tartan hose.

I don't own a jacobite shirt anymore, but I like then and would wear one again if the mood struck me. I used to have an acquaintance from Dundee with a pretty thick brogue, and he wore one with a black waistcoat, so I consider it as OK from that respect as a tweed argyl. I have simply found that I prefer the very traditional look to the jacobite shirt, but if you wear one, I'd probably like it fine and complement your attire.

Have fun with being kilted.

[azwildcat96]

First, Welcome!

Second, I personally do not like the look of the Jacobite shirts, with or without a kilt. Just my preference.

Third, I don't have anything against the white (or off-white Ecru) hose. I don't own any, and don't plan on buying any. My reasoning is that I typically wear my kilt in a more "dressed up" fashion, and I equate white hose to white athletic socks. When I am in a more casual kilt dress, it is just as easy to scrunch down a pair of colored hose, rather than wear a pair of white ones.

If you like them, wear them! Forget about what is said here, or at least take it with a grain of salt. Ask questions, read the answers/opinions, but make up your own mind.

[Cowher]

I would say that you should be comfortable in whatever it is that you are wearing. No more, no less.

You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself. - R. Nelson


Oh, and welcome from Ithaca, NY!

I agree with this also. Wear white hose and whatever you like! The important thing is that we love kilts and in my view to keep all traditional wear alive!

Matt Cowher

[AFS1970]

Welcome.

I am somewhat in the middle of the road with the whole Jacobite Shirt issue. I had two of them, one ripped and the other does not fit any longer. The one that ripped was much nicer in that it was a rough linen with flecks of brown and gray in it. Still not traditional but certainly a bit better than some of the modern colored ones from museum replicas. I have not decided if I will replace them or not, as I really don't have many places where they would be appropriate.

The white hose issue is indeed a myth of the rental industry, however it is one that has been with us long enough that there are some really nice ones out there. My former favorite pair of hose was off white, but very heavy wool with a nice pattern to it, more reminiscent of a fisherman's knit sweater. I was sad to see them wear out. I just recently got my first pair of argyle topped hose, and on the whole I do think colored hose looks better, but I don't have a problem with white hose.

I gotta tell you, the denim Jacobite shirt is a bit much for me. So even I have my limits.

[Bill aka Mole]

First and foremost: Welcome aboard from the Midlands of South Carolina. Enjoy your stay!

White hose and Jacobite shirt? Don't have either of those but my limited opinion is that they can be like Pat Boone's white shoes: Anyone can buy them but only a few can make it look good!

If you feel good while wearing those items, don't let anybody convince you that you don't look good.

I am a new kiltie and when I got my first one in I thought I was pretty good looking in it while wearing my sneakers with kilt hose. I'm on my third kilt now and I look back and can see what my wife was snickering about. Cheers!