Generation to Generation

[MacLowlife]

CMcG, I too wore the kilt a handful of times years earlier before learning how to do it right. I visited a gentleman in Edinburgh who was a friend of a friend and his advice was still good. He said to wear it with a "jumper" and make it a casual garment like any other casual garment, rather than putting on a costume. So the first two times I wore a kilt I wore it with an Izod Chemise Lacoste tennis shirt. The first was to a drinking golf tournament and the second was to a horse race. Ten years passed before I put on a kilt again and the next occasion was a little dressier. And I rose to the occasion, more or less. While I am as staunchly traditional as you'd want to be, I still wear my kilt on occasion with a sweater or a knit shirt, just as I do khakis or grey flannels.

As for how long, I think Jock is right as usual, the tongue in cheek voice of authority usually wins attention, if not respect. Just remember, the only man who has worn a kilt his entire life is a dead man. The rest of us may have worn it all our lives so far, but that is not the same thing.

[SlackerDrummer]

Interestingly, because of some things I've read here and other places, I can't bring myself to wear a tie with a button-down collar shirt any more.

Oh my. How misinformation can alter a man's life! It isn't a matter of whether or not a tie should be worn with a button-down collar, but when a button-down collared shirt should be worn. The button-down collar was introduced by Brooks Brothers in the late 1800s and, while intended as sport clothing (i.e. country attire), I doubt it was ever meant to be worn without a tie. The buttons are to keep the collar down during active pursuits like horseback riding, fishing, or hunting, but the well-dressed gentleman would most certainly have worn a tie to do these things!