My first time wearing my Scottish clothes and accessories.....

[CollinMacD]

Hello everybody. This is my first time putting on Scottish clothing and all the accessories, so I have enclosed a photograph, and wanted to ask the more experiences folks, did I put on everything correctly? I certainly do not want to misrepresent my Scottish heritage, and want to make sure everything is being worn correctly. Thank you for looking... FYI... my clan is MacDonald of Clanranald. I have done my Geneology all the way back to 1650, and my family comes from Knoydart, and Inverness. Yes, they were Jacobites, and were in the Scottish Clearances, thus ended up in Nova Scotia. My grandfather came from St. Andrews, Antigonish, NS to the U.S. in 1912, became a U.S. citizen in 1934. My grandfather was a MacDonald (MacBride). My grandmother came from South River, Antigonish, NS, and was a Chisholm (MacIntosh), from Archibald (Ban) Chisholm, both arrive on the Brigantine "Nora" in 1790, from Fort Williams, near Inverness Shire, Scotland.



I served in the US Coast Guard, and according to CG Instructions, authorized to wear my award medal in miniature. Thank you for looking, hope to hear your feedback, good or bad....

[ctbuchanan]

That is a great family history and a very nice and very formal attire.
Others have a much better eye on these things but from what I see I think your kilt is a bit low.
This is because, like many of us, your first instinct is to have the belt at what would be belt height for a pair of trousers. In a more traditional kilt it should be worn higher which will bring it up the knee a bit as well.
Perhaps others will comment with more detail.
Wear it with pride.
Enjoy.

CTBuchanan

[CollinMacD]

That is a great family history and a very nice and very formal attire.
Others have a much better eye on these things but from what I see I think your kilt is a bit low.
This is because, like many of us, your first instinct is to have the belt at what would be belt height for a pair of trousers. In a more traditional kilt it should be worn higher which will bring it up the knee a bit as well.
Perhaps others will comment with more detail.
Wear it with pride.
Enjoy.

CTBuchanan

Thank you for your comments. Catholic school boy so hem is low... Thanks know see what I can do to make it better

[Father Bill]

Looks fabulous. The jabot and fly plaid are both very formal, so wear accordingly.

Yes, hike up the kilt and show some knee. Also, do you have both a vest and a dirk belt? We normally only wear one at a time.

Still, you're doing well!

[Panache]

CMD,

A belt and waist plate is worn with the Montrose doublet, but not the Sheriffmuir (unless it is a belt for your dirk)

I agree with the comments about hiking up your kilt.

While a fly plaid can look dashing, I think having both the medals and the fly plaid detract each from the other. I think the medals would be ornamentation enough

All in all a grand first try

Cheers

Jamie

[Jock Scot]

Well alright as you are asking and through my traditional Scots eyes you are doing pretty well for a first time.

However, are you intending to dress that formally? The outfit, including the shoes do imply "white tie" attire to a great extent, is that what you intended? If it is then fair enough, but the whole outfit is too much for a plain "black tie" event.

As already mentioned, the kilt is far too low and the hose are far too high. The tartan flashes are not everyone's idea of a good choice and there is too much showing, about an inch is better.

The plaid is tending to overdo the whole attire, as is the bonnet and unless decorations are specifically asked for, then they are best left at home .

Depending on the event,it does change ones formal attire requirements somewhat but generally speaking for the far far more common "black tie" events then the phrase " less is more" is well worth considering.

I hope these comments help in your thinking and you can spend many a happy hour fine tuning your attire to suit the event that you choose to venture to. Good luck and have fun!

[ctbuchanan]

You seem an easy going chap so I do hope you take the critiques in good humor.

The thing is, when you get to the level of formality you are showing there is less wiggle room to get it right. The lads on the forum have all made valid points.

I think we would all be interested in knowing what event you have planned for your first?

The kilt is nicely done and because a well made kilt is the most versatile garment in the world you can look forward to creating any number of outfits for any number of settings. Full out casual (which here in the States is OK) to your well thought out formal attire.

Cheers

[Tarheel]

I like your choice of sporran and hose color. Many will lift the kilt (I am included) to show more knee. From the angle of the photo, I can't tell if your hose are too high or not. This is not an issue with me if comfort and warmth are the counter-point. Thank you for your military service as well, the medals seem right at home on your chest. Good turn out in my eyes.

[McMurdo]

All in all a great first effort, .As has been said already lifting the kilt will help the overall appearance. As a final critique I will say I do not favour the fly plaid and think your outfit would be wonderful without it. I've never worn one but understand from those who have that they are unruly things that tend to get in the way your experience may be different of course and if you like the look then go ahead and wear it.

[Sandyman]

Hello everybody. This is my first time putting on Scottish clothing and all the accessories, so I have enclosed a photograph, and wanted to ask the more experiences folks, did I put on everything correctly? I certainly do not want to misrepresent my Scottish heritage, and want to make sure everything is being worn correctly. Thank you for looking... FYI... my clan is MacDonald of Clanranald. I have done my Geneology all the way back to 1650, and my family comes from Knoydart, and Inverness. Yes, they were Jacobites, and were in the Scottish Clearances, thus ended up in Nova Scotia. My grandfather came from St. Andrews, Antigonish, NS to the U.S. in 1912, became a U.S. citizen in 1934. My grandfather was a MacDonald (MacBride). My grandmother came from South River, Antigonish, NS, and was a Chisholm (MacIntosh), from Archibald (Ban) Chisholm, both arrive on the Brigantine "Nora" in 1790, from Fort Williams, near Inverness Shire, Scotland.



I served in the US Coast Guard, and according to CG Instructions, authorized to wear my award medal in miniature. Thank you for looking, hope to hear your feedback, good or bad....

As an military man, you will appreciate dress conventions and traditions when it comes to uniform. Much of modern Highland dress and its civilian wearing conventions have been borrowed from the Highland regiments, often with very goon reason, and most of what is considered correct form in civilian use today is no different from military practice.

You might find the information contained in the Royal Regiment of Scotland Dress Regulations booklet a useful guide, as most (if not all) of Highland dress is made to be worn, or positioned, in a similar way to that adopted by the army - particularly where the kilt is intended to sit on the waist and the relationship of the hose. Follow this link -http://www.electricscotland.com/history/scotreg/OfficialDressRegulationsHandBook.pdf

You appear to have been very successful so far, and should be commended! The advice given by others on this thread is fair, but the rule of thumb with Highland dress is that it is conventional to dress up, rather than dress down. Decoration and ornamentation in clothing and accessories is the ancient tradition and a useful guide when in doubt.