1 Kilt 10 Looks : A Visual Guide to Formality in Highland Attire

[macwilkin]

While it might make this thread a wee bit long, I would like to see a similar experiment using Matt Newsome's box-pleated kilts.

Todd

[DryFly]

Great job! I'm a visual learner so this is fantastic! Let me also chime in for a request to "Sticky" this post.

DryFly

[greenman11]

As stated, 'a picture is worth....'. Thank you both for a visual expose answering many questions posed by a number of nubies concerning the proper wearing of a tartan kilt. By the way I hope everone followed the shoe changes also.

If I might propose an extrapolation though, would someone do a similar show using non a tartan kilt. While I do not believe that one could go very formal, it would display differences in the kilted concept possibly ending some nebulis area between the traditional and modern.

Well done gentlemen and I vote sticky note also.

Regards,

[Ancienne Alliance]

Fun and interesting !

Thank you both !

Robert

[Cynthia]

Great job, both of you! This is a wonderful thread with a lot of great tips

[bchunter]

Gentlemen, I salute you on a fine presentation.

[Panache]

While it might make this thread a wee bit long, I would like to see a similar experiment using Matt Newsome's box-pleated kilts.

...If I might propose an extrapolation though, would someone do a similar show using non a tartan kilt. While I do not believe that one could go very formal, it would display differences in the kilted concept possibly ending some nebulis area between the traditional and modern.

Gentlemen,

After reading both of your comments Glen and I thought about and discussed what changes we would make to our outfits were our kilts box pleated ones such as Matt Newsome makes, or solid color traditional knife pleated kilts (Glen's in black or red, and Jamie' in green or blue).

With the exception of a few minor details such as the color of flashes, ties, and such our conclusion is that we would confidently wear the same outfits with either option.

A 4-5 yard box pleated kilt is an older style than the 7-9 yard knife pleated ones we are wearing, but all the same rules of fashion and conventions of formality apply. A 4 yard box pleated kilt is no less formal than an 8 yard knife pleated one. It is simply a different style. To be honest how could one tell if we wore a box pleated, knife pleated, roll pleated, or military box pleated kilt in our photos as they are all front views?

Likewise the very first kilts were solid colored. In a sense they are far more traditional than tartan ones. We see no limitations on their ability to be dressed up or down.

The most important factor in looking one's best in a box pleated kilt or solid color kilt is that the kilt be good fitting and well made of quality materials. It is the foundation that the rest of any highland attire is built on.

We would like to note that modern / contemporary kilts are beyond the scope of this visual guide. We find that there are some solid principles of tradional highland dress that can be applied to them, but as a current fashion there really aren't any set rules for dressing up or down a modern kilt. With no disrespect intended toward modern / contemporary kilts (we both each own at least one) we also feel that most modern / contemporary styled kilts lack the incredible versatility of the traditional kilt (regardless of pleating style or colors).

Our thanks for everyone for their kind words for our little project

Sincerely

Jamie and Glen

[Rob Wright]

Jaime,

I do tend to view the modern/non-traditional styles as more specialized in their uses but I've been giving this some thought lately after I dressed up my solid black Pittsburgh Kilt. If the modern/non-traditional goes for the clean lines of a traditional, no visible or cargo pockets, etc, it s possible to be as versatile as the traditional kilt, ok, white tie may be a bit hard to pull off, though I wonder of Freedom Kilts dress model could do it. Something for me to ponder here.

Rob

[macwilkin]

With the exception of a few minor details such as color of flashes and ties, our conclusion is that we would confidently wear the same outfits with either option.

A 4-5 yard box pleated kilt is an older style than the 7-9 yard knife pleated ones we are wearing, but all the same rules of fashion and conventions of formality apply. A 4 yard box pleated kilt is no less formal than an 8 yard knife pleated one. It is simply a different style. To be honest how could one tell if we wore a box pleated, knife pleated, roll pleated, or military box pleated kilt in our photos as they are all front views?

An excellent point, Jamie -- my request was aimed more at the belief that Matt mentions that 4-5 yard kilts, be they box-pleat or knife-pleat, are somehow not "real" kilts. As you mention, the box-pleat may be worn with the same outfits as a "traditional" 8-yard kilt.

T.

[SFCRick]

very nice idea, this will be a good reference guide for a lot of people