The New Traditionalists (Traditional kilts, Modern looks)

**Panache** · 19th January 12, 06:23 PM

Traditional highland fashion is absolutely wonderful and I greatly appreciate it and enjoy wearing it. But sometimes it seems that there is an assumption that everyone who owns a traditional handmade quality wool kilt is automatically an old fogey or a kilt snob.

Now I like tweed and a good G&T as much as the next fellow (all right, all right... in truth I probably like tweed and a good G&T significantly more than the next fellow

)...However I, like most people, have all sorts of sides and I thought it would be fun to explore traditional kilts worn with modern flair. On the whole we tend to think of Modern=Casual. But XMTS' own Paul Henry often shows us his looks using his own traditionally made kilts in decidely modern ways that are not casually worn.

So I thought I would share my attempt at a modern kilt look that I would feel happy wearing to a reasonably nice restaurant or event and hope others will do the same.

The tartan is the beautiful Heatherfield, and the kilt was made by the lady who (literally!) wrote the book on traditional kilts Dr. Barb Tewksbury. The look (with a little help from Jerry V. at Stillwater with the jacket and sporran) is throughly modern*

Any other "New Tradionalists" out there?

Cheers

Jamie

* The shoes are 80's retro swordfish skin Zodiacs for all you hipsters out there

**Ryan Ross** · 19th January 12, 06:44 PM

Hey- That's not bad! Not too bad at all.

I like the look, and it's certainly working for you.

Myself though, I rarely need to go above a fairly casual level of formality, and when I do, I tend to pull out the tweed, just like folks have been doing forever. So nothing too exciting from me, I'm afraid.

More props for you, though. You've got swag.

EDIT: I think the beard and styled 'stache may have a lot to do with it, though.

**Nighthawk** · 19th January 12, 06:45 PM

While I don't have any pictures of myself looking as snazzy as Panache, I do have couple modern looks:

**Dale Seago** · 19th January 12, 06:54 PM

I like the concept, Jamie, and do much the same sort of thing fairly often even though I quite enjoy doing the traditional thing as well.

A similar sort of look here, from last year:

It's the "same" Stillwater Kilts leather jacket as yours but in black; with blue "popcorn weave" shirt over a black tee; black F-B "Duin Uasal" sporran; 6-yard knife-pleat 16-oz kilt by Matt Newsome in Douglas Weathered; Ancient Blue Lewis hose with Bison garter ties.

**Ryan Ross** · 19th January 12, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by Dale Seago

RIDICULOUS swag.

**Riverkilt** · 19th January 12, 06:54 PM

Not sure this 67 year old geezer gets it...but maybe....will give it a shot.

Modern leather jacket, same brown leather Stillwater sporran, 13 ounce Lochcarron Reiver in weathered Gordon from Celtic Croft.

Different modern leather jacket, same Stillwater brown leather sporran, with modern sweater. Macdonald of the Isles weathered hunting in 16 ounce strome from Lochcarron hand sewn by Kathy Lare.

I am completely sold on those Stillwater nightstalker sporrans - the zippers may not be traditional but they are soooo easy to operate - don't need to look and use two hands to access my wallet etc. Habit forming.

**opositive** · 19th January 12, 07:07 PM

i believe that function is more important than form, but that does not mean you have to be a slob. a kilt lets you be comfortable without being a slob. a kilt is a pretty formal garment that lets you be comfortable yet different. ya'll have convinced me to get out of the house more often with these things. and i am finally growing a beard and love heavy metal/irish punk.... but i have a suit job. informal fridays will end up with me showing up in a kilt from time to time, nevertheless.... more panache like than pub like. you can be relaxed--be more efficient-- and still have class.

[to the pub or a fest--i will look like nighthawk and riverkilt (do you wear and document everyday--you seem to be a living photo album). out to eat, social thing or movie with the wife--pananche or seago, though i do not think i will ever look quite as intimidating as seago--you can be a bada$$ ninja and smile once in a while]