What Makes a Kilt Formal?

[ccga3359]

This has been a great discussion and I'm learning quite a lot from it. To the best of my knowledge, neither my wife for our friend had even heard of a Utilikilt. I know I hadn't until I joined these forums.

The discussion was about a character in the Outlander series of books by Diana Gabaldon wearing a "formal kilt". I said I didn't think there was a "formal" kilt, but that the accessories determined the formality. I'm not sure exactly the time period she was referring to, but the books are about a woman who travels back in time in Scotland. The "modern" time period in the books is just after World War II.

Perhaps it is because back then people tended to dress more formally. It seemed every man in North America wore a suit and tie, every man wore a fedora. Casual just was not known, no child went to school wearing jeans unless he was the child of dirt poor farmers. That was similar to the UK. In England, I know in the 70's every child wore a school uniform in wool, the shorts were cold in the winter but I'm talking blazer, waistcoat and beanie cap and that was public school. I was dressed up to see the doctor or if flying on an airplane or such. It's rare now to see someone wear a shirt and tie in casual setting and that is a shame. In Scotland, in that time frame I'm sure they dressed in a more formal way than they do now and I'm not talking Prince charlie or plaid. I'm sure casual was just not known back then. Here or there.

[Riverkilt]

During my recent "kilt prohibition" period at work, when I was required to wear pants, I bought a pair of Orvis tartan pants and told them I liked kilts so well I was wearing one on each leg. Messed with their minds.

I think "formal" has a lot to do with the venue. Big difference between New York City/Manhatten "formal" and Phoenix, Arizona "formal."

Local museum is having a big fund raising auction this weekend. Theme is Denim and Diamonds. The wealthy few in the area are encouraged to wear their best denim and all the bling they can load on themselves. The "formal" is in the bling.

Now wondering if bling would go with kilts for wealthy kilties.....??

Ron

[Cawdorian]

Take a look at the series of photographs in the thread entitled "Formal Wear" they will give you a good idea of the correct formal wear with a kilt.

IMHO formal is ........

An 8 yard wool tartan tank or a 4 yard wool tartan kilt or a box pleat kilt with...

Either a Prince Charlie jacket and waistcoat or an Argyll jacket with or without a waistcoat.

If a waistcoat is not worn wear a black leather belt with a waist plate.

A fur sporran worn with a chain.

A white pleated tux shirt with studs with either a wing collar or spread collar and a black bowtie.

A pair of black wingtip, cap toe shoes or ghillies.

A plaid and a brooch is optional, the color of the hose and flashes are at the discretion of the wearer and should be determined by the color of the tartan in the kilt. However all leathers should be black. A black handled or jeweled sighan dhu may also be worn in the top of the hose.

[Kent Frazier]

That distinctive texas drawl where each word leans against the next.

Now I'm really confused. Most people in Texas would not consider themselves "Yanks". Maybe we are thinking of the word in different contexts? For the record, I don't have a drawl, I'm not a native Texan, and I'm working hard to keep it that way.

[macwilkin]

Now I'm really confused. Most people in Texas would not consider themselves "Yanks". Maybe we are thinking of the word in different contexts? For the record, I don't have a drawl, I'm not a native Texan, and I'm working hard to keep it that way.

"Yank" is what folks from the UK and the Commonwealth call Americans, regardless of where they're from.

Regards,

Todd

[fluter]

"Yank" is what folks from the UK and the Commonwealth call Americans, regardless of where they're from.

and the guy who said it, a native southerner, hopes he did not give offense. For all I knew, you could have been from Queensland or Mississippi; but I thought you were USian. I'm a Yank and a southerner, which some of my co-regionalists find troublesome terminology.

OBTW the Outlander series starts 1940's and 1740's, and later there's a bit in the 1960's and another shift to 18th century 1760's/70's.

It might be the young fellow from the 20th century with the "formal kilt." If so, I'd say that the author meant a full-blown tank. He's a musician, and wore a nice kilt for gigs.

On the 1700's side, mention is made of plaids and kilts as I recall.

[Riverkilt]

Slight diversion;

To an Englishman a Yankee is an American.

To an American a Yankee is a Northerner.

To a Northerner a Yankee is a New Englander.

To a New Englander a Yankee is a Vermonter.

To a Vermonter a Yankee is someone who eats pie for breakfast.


Someone (no clue) told me this once...and its one of the few things I remember at my olde age.

Worse, I don't "get" the joke. Is it somehow funny?

Ron

[davedove]

Nice accessories! What's hanging around your neck?

This was taken during my last cruise. I had participated in the talent show. Everyone who participated was given a Carnival medal. I figured I wouldn't really have many occassions to wear it otherwise, so I put it on for formal night.

Given the general militaristic appearance of formal kilt wear, the medal looked pretty good. My time in the Army was too short and uneventful for me to have a military medal that would be worn around the neck.

[Kent Frazier]

fluter: No offense taken. I was only familiar with the U.S. Northern/Southern use of the term "Yankee". I was just trying to figure out how you knew I wasn't from the South originally.

[James MacMillan]

Slight diversion;
To an Englishman a Yankee is an American.
To an American a Yankee is a Northerner.
To a Northerner a Yankee is a New Englander.
To a New Englander a Yankee is a Vermonter.
To a Vermonter a Yankee is someone who eats pie for breakfast.
Someone (no clue) told me this once...and its one of the few things I remember at my olde age.
Worse, I don't "get" the joke. Is it somehow funny?
Ron

That's supposed to be a joke? I don't get it either? Is there something wrong with pie for breakfast? -

Is there a Yankee out there who could explain to us what is funny?