Critique my Summer Kilt Wear II

**piperdbh** · 24th July 11, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by Nick the DSM

Does one have to be a gentleman to look nice? Or to be traditional?

No, but it helps.

CMcG,
Everybody else has already told you more than enough, but I'd say, if it were me doing it, and the temperature were 84 F (ooohhh, that would be nice), and I were going "casual", I'd probably wear a short-sleeved shirt, too, and no waistcoat, and sandals. Oh wait, xman beat me to it.

**CMcG** · 27th July 11, 01:01 PM

After successfully defending my first (of two) PhD comprehensive exams yesterday, I finally had time to try out some of your suggestions.

There were a couple things that didn't work for me. Shirt sleeves rolled up without a vest looked very sloppy to my eye. This leads me to think that a short sleeve shirt without a vest is preferable for very HOT weather.

I tried not wearing a belt with both a short sleeve shirt and also rolled sleeve shirt with unbuttoned waistcoat. Didn't like the way that looked on me either... somehow a belt just finishes the look and, besides, I don't notice a significant difference in the heat value.

A few people suggested different flashes: less bright green or a contrasting colour like yellow. I don't have yellow but I tried red and dark green. They all look equally good to me but I'll let you all be the judge.

I think I like the look of a rolled sleeve shirt with a waistcoat better than short sleeves. Waistcoat buttoned or unbuttoned both seem to work. A plain black waistcoat does seem to look more casual and suited to the look than the tweed vest (with scalloped pockets) I was wearing in the OP.

One final observation. All my casual shirts seem to have either button down collars, breast pockets or both! FYI the rolled sleeve I'm wearing in the pics below is a sheppard check.

Are the following looks better? Anyone have a favourite?

**creagdhubh** · 27th July 11, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

After successfully defending my first (of two) PhD comprehensive exams yesterday, I finally had time to try out some of your suggestions.

There were a couple things that didn't work for me. Shirt sleeves rolled up without a vest looked very sloppy to my eye. This leads me to think that a short sleeve shirt without a vest is preferable for very HOT weather.

I tried not wearing a belt with both a short sleeve shirt and also rolled sleeve shirt with unbuttoned waistcoat. Didn't like the way that looked on me either... somehow a belt just finishes the look and, besides, I don't notice a significant difference in the heat value.

A few people suggested different flashes: less bright green or a contrasting colour like yellow. I don't have yellow but I tried red and dark green. They all look equally good to me but I'll let you all be the judge.

I think I like the look of a rolled sleeve shirt with a waistcoat better than short sleeves. Waistcoat buttoned or unbuttoned both seem to work. A plain black waistcoat does seem to look more casual and suited to the look than the tweed vest (with scalloped pockets) I was wearing in the OP.

One final observation. All my casual shirts seem to have either button down collars, breast pockets or both! FYI the rolled sleeve I'm wearing in the pics below is a sheppard check.

Are the following looks better? Anyone have a favourite?

You look great in each photo Colin, well done! Good luck on your second PhD exam - I'll be there too...one day soon!

Cheers,

**Dale Seago** · 27th July 11, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

I think I like the look of a rolled sleeve shirt with a waistcoat better than short sleeves.

With a waistcoat, yes -- I agree.

Are the following looks better? Anyone have a favourite?

I think all three look perfectly fine! I find that I like #2 just a smidge better than #1, though they're both great, and it took me a few minutes to figure out why. Seems that if due to heat, or even just being very informal, you're going to go sans necktie and with rolled sleeves, keeping the vest buttoned up seems to contradict either idea -- seems like you're "sending mixed signals": Trying to be sensitive and open, but not letting anyone get to your soft creamy center. As for wearing the belt with the open waistcoat. . .Hmm. Yes, I think it would look equally good with or without the belt.

And the short-sleeved shirt and belt, sans waistcoat, for really warm weather? Yes, I agree completely.

**Mickey** · 27th July 11, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

I submit that CMcG is really a lifesize cardboard display!

I actually like the third one better. I've never gotten used to the look of a waistcoat without a jacket. It's just me, but it always looks unfinished, whether in a kilt or a suit.

(notice that in three shots, even the feet haven't moved!! Something weird is happening here....)

**biblemonkey** · 28th July 11, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

After successfully defending my first (of two) PhD comprehensive exams yesterday, I finally had time to try out some of your suggestions.

There were a couple things that didn't work for me. Shirt sleeves rolled up without a vest looked very sloppy to my eye. This leads me to think that a short sleeve shirt without a vest is preferable for very HOT weather.

I tried not wearing a belt with both a short sleeve shirt and also rolled sleeve shirt with unbuttoned waistcoat. Didn't like the way that looked on me either... somehow a belt just finishes the look and, besides, I don't notice a significant difference in the heat value.

A few people suggested different flashes: less bright green or a contrasting colour like yellow. I don't have yellow but I tried red and dark green. They all look equally good to me but I'll let you all be the judge.

I think I like the look of a rolled sleeve shirt with a waistcoat better than short sleeves. Waistcoat buttoned or unbuttoned both seem to work. A plain black waistcoat does seem to look more casual and suited to the look than the tweed vest (with scalloped pockets) I was wearing in the OP.

One final observation. All my casual shirts seem to have either button down collars, breast pockets or both! FYI the rolled sleeve I'm wearing in the pics below is a sheppard check.

Are the following looks better? Anyone have a favourite?

For these I think #1 looks good but roll the sleeves once more to keep it from looking to sloppy. #2 don't like it as much. #3 looks great!

**sydnie7** · 27th July 11, 01:45 PM

You could also try folding the cuffs up inside the sleeve vs. outside. Doesn't work with every shirt (i.e. "bloused" sleeves with tighter cuff) but can look very tidy with a typical dress shirt.

**CMcG** · 27th July 11, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by sydnie7

You could also try folding the cuffs up inside the sleeve vs. outside. Doesn't work with every shirt (i.e. "bloused" sleeves with tighter cuff) but can look very tidy with a typical dress shirt.

I had never thought of that before either but now I'll have to give it a try one of these times

**biblemonkey** · 28th July 11, 07:04 AM

Original post looks good to me!

**Lyle1** · 28th July 11, 08:35 AM

The second set of photos are fine, but I'll offer one comparison between the blue and the white short sleeve shirt. The blue shirt fits you better, and will always look better than the white shirt. It is probably a combination of the shirts being different brands, and you being tall, but the hem of the sleeve on the white shirt hits you in the middle of your upper arm, and the sleeve on the blue shirt hangs lower. To me the white shirt looks a bit too small for you, even if it fits well in the body; you have too much bare arm hanging out, and it looks unbalanced.

Good luck on your PhD.