Matchy-Matchy or Contrast in highland attire? Psst... here is the secret

**Panache** · 22nd February 13, 10:04 AM

When I first joined xmarksthescot.com years ago the prevalent school of thought was to coordinate and match your highland attire in a way to create a pleasing matched look. For instance wearing a lovat blue jacket and waistcoat with lovat hose with one's solid color tie and flashes picking up a color from one's kilt.

This style lends itself to a very pleasing combination that all works together.

Nowadays it would seem that there is a strong movement towards contrast. Patterned ties and shirts, hose that contrasts with colors of the kilt,etc.

One look is more subtle and does seem that the wearer spent some time and thought into his appearance.

The other look is bolder and has a far more devil-may-care sort of appeal where the wearer seems less concerned about making a perfect outfit.

Which is the right way to go?

Here's the secret.....

...it's the way YOU like it best

Over the years and observing highland attire worn by all sorts of gentlemen I have noticed that those that wore it best were those that had their own sense of style and believed in themselves. So I have seen kilts worn with Hawaiian shirts, cowboy hats, baseball caps, and other items I wouldn't dream of wearing.

I have seen the "Matchy-Matchies" and the "Contrast" wearers all look splendid. But the one trait they shared was an obvious comfort "in their own skin". Their looks reflected them and they were confident.

Confidence is the ultimate accessory for highland attire.

So for any new member or those seeking information on putting together a kilted outfit I offer this advice.

Please understand that the best dressed gents on our forum look so grand because they have found their own style. To look YOUR best you have to go out and find YOUR own look!

Cheers

Jamie

**piperdbh** · 22nd February 13, 10:08 AM

If I may add a bit, Jamie, I'd say that finding one's style comes with experience, and often experience is the result of trial-and-error. Wear the kilt often and experiment with other garments and you'll find your way.

**Panache** · 22nd February 13, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

If I may add a bit, Jamie, I'd say that finding one's style comes with experience, and often experience is the result of trial-and-error. Wear the kilt often and experiment with other garments and you'll find your way.

I think I covered that with "To look YOUR best you have to go out and find YOUR own look!"

But you are correct. You do have to experiment. You will make mistakes but you find some neat looks as well. Nothing worthwhile every comes without some thought and work!

Cheers

Jamie

**davedove** · 22nd February 13, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

If I may add a bit, Jamie, I'd say that finding one's style comes with experience, and often experience is the result of trial-and-error. Wear the kilt often and experiment with other garments and you'll find your way.

As it is said, good judgement comes from experience, and experience usually comes from bad judgement.

**Zardoz** · 22nd February 13, 11:29 AM

I'll infer that one can have a 'bold look' and still put some thought into his appearance. I've been dressing myself to the satisfaction of myself and others for decades, and I won't apologize for being able to color coordinate. I find the tendency for contrasting colors, mis-matched patterns etc. trend just as much of an artificial construct as the 'matchy matchy' slur tossed around here so much.

**mookien** · 22nd February 13, 11:33 AM

Jamie: Touche'! Bravo! ***, ... and all that.

John:

PS: Last year my church held a Hawaiian dinner complete with hula dancers. I wore a very bright Hawaiian shirt with my very bright Blaylock kilt. Upon inquiry I told people that I had forgotten whether we were having a Hawaiian or Hebridean dinner, so I wasn't taking any chances.

The hula dancers asked me to dance with them. I politely declined in the interest of propriety and collective appetite preservation.

**Tobus** · 22nd February 13, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Zardoz

I'll infer that one can have a 'bold look' and still put some thought into his appearance. I've been dressing myself to the satisfaction of myself and others for decades, and I won't apologize for being able to color coordinate. I find the tendency for contrasting colors, mis-matched patterns etc. trend just as much of an artificial construct as the 'matchy matchy' slur tossed around here so much.

I agree; it can go a little too far in either direction. Especially if the final result looks like you tried too hard. And like Jamie is saying, what it really boils down to is one's own sense of style.

My own objection to the "matchy-matchy" look is precisely that: I end up feeling like I tried too hard. In looking at numerous examples of native Highlanders, I finally realised that they look grand because they aren't trying too hard. I doubt if it's ever as simple as Jock Scot suggests, where they just put on the first thing that they grab from their closet or drawer, but at the very least it does appear that they just don't make a big fuss out of trying to be too-this or too-that. They just wear it.

What I love about being intentionally non-matchy-matchy is that it allows for a much greater sense of individual expression and experimentation. It really expands the possibilities!

**Singlemalt** · 22nd February 13, 01:14 PM

A very nice observation Jamie. Though we have never met I have seen many dozens of pictures of you and you always look good to me so I believe you know of what you speak. However, it is also interesting how we are influenced by the choices of others, often almost subliminally. I have worn a kilt most of my nearly 60 years. I also think of myself as pretty independent in my thinking (my wife would say uncompromising and bullheaded). However, since joining this forum I now look back on old photos of myself with tartan ties which match my kilt, white hose etc and cringe! Obviously though I was not looking for advice or direction here I was receiving it. Community is a powerful force in human nature, we all need to be part of one, and are pushed by an innate urge to fit in and identify. Even when we think we are above it the changing trends and tastes of those around us sneak into our brain. When I am reaching in my drawer for the blue hose which match my sweater perhaps it is a subconscious image of you which causes me to hesitate and go for the mustard ones instead?

If it was not so on this Friday afternoon we would all be straightening our ties, brushing our spats and looking to put on our top hats or bowlers to head home for the weekend.

**Domehead** · 22nd February 13, 01:26 PM

*** Jamie. By the by, pleased you are up and about. Hope everything is progressing well.

Slainte,
Domehead

**tulloch** · 22nd February 13, 03:13 PM

Very well said Jamie. Not for nothing you are on the 'Honour Roll.' With fresh faces around here asking some familiar questions and looking at some of the popular opinions it would be easy to become intimidated and to get the sense that they should do it one way or another it cannot be said enough: BE YOURSELF! Enjoy.