Evolution of my kilted attire

**Manu** · 29th March 17, 03:55 PM

Hello rabble!

I just wanted to take some time and share wit you all a bit of a graphic demonstration of the evolution of my kilt wearing.

Here I am over 10 years ago wearing a Freedom Kilt, t shirt and Chuck Taylor's. Back then I was in my early twenties and while I cared about my appearance, this is how I thought I looked good, perhaps reflecting my mind set at the time, the young and rebellious approach.

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Fast forward 12 years, my head more settled and I dare say mature, I lean towards the traditional end of the spectrum. I dropped the solid contemporary kilt, swapped the t shirt for a button up collar shirt, and the chucks for brogues.

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I know the sporran isn't necessarily traditional, but it's mighty roomy and handy!

Who else went through a similar evolution in kilt wearing? Who is a hybrid? I personally don't see myself going back to my early years, I feel much more dapper the way I'm dressed today. Cheers all!

**Terry Searl** · 29th March 17, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by Manu

Hello rabble!

I just wanted to take some time and share wit you all a bit of a graphic demonstration of the evolution of my kilt wearing.

Here I am over 10 years ago wearing a Freedom Kilt, t shirt and Chuck Taylor's. Back then I was in my early twenties and while I cared about my appearance, this is how I thought I looked good, perhaps reflecting my mind set at the time, the young and rebellious approach.

Fast forward 12 years, my head more settled and I dare say mature, I lean towards the traditional end of the spectrum. I dropped the solid contemporary kilt, swapped the t shirt for a button up collar shirt, and the chucks for brogues.

I know the sporran isn't necessarily traditional, but it's mighty roomy and handy!

Who else went through a similar evolution in kilt wearing? Who is a hybrid? I personally don't see myself going back to my early years, I feel much more dapper the way I'm dressed today. Cheers all!

And the hose you are wearing are spot on!! if you don't mind me saying so ......

**Manu** · 29th March 17, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Terry Searl

And the hose you are wearing are spot on!! if you don't mind me saying so ......

Well thank you sir! I saw them at the St Augustine games and bought then on the spot. Perfect compliment to the Irelands National kilt.

**McMurdo** · 29th March 17, 05:46 PM

I did not come to it the same way you did, my first kilt was my dad's old kilt, but I have tried the utilikilt and t-shirt look, I feel far more comfortable in traditional kilt wear but will from time to time dress it down if the occasion warrants it. I think you look good in both photos but better in the second photo. As has been said, nice hose.

**Phillips** · 29th March 17, 07:32 PM

While I started with a tartan kilt, I mostly wore it with t-shirts and boots. A very casual look like yours. Since I started piping I tend to dress much nicer with th kilt. I now wear hose, nice shoes, and a button up shirt. I think it's a better overall look.

**kilted firefighter** · 30th March 17, 04:58 AM

Similar progression, shorter time span. I still have cargo kilts that I wear with boots in my workshop, and running kilts that I wear when training and racing, but when I "go out" in a kilt I lean way towards traditional matching the mode to the occasion.

**Stoff** · 30th March 17, 06:26 AM

Mine is going to be a bit of a sideways progression. I have always worn the kilt in a more traditional manner but as I get closer to wearing just kilts, I am looking at making cargo kilts to wear for work where I currently wear cargo pants/shorts. I am a building designer/drafter and do a lot of existing conditions site investigations, and for this you cannot beat cargos. I make my own so the transition is slow going. For traditional wear I find that I prefer box pleated kilts over knife pleated, I have both.

Also it does not hurt that my wife really likes me in kilts.

Just my two cents worth.

Christoph

**Manu** · 30th March 17, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by kilted firefighter

Similar progression, shorter time span. I still have cargo kilts that I wear with boots in my workshop, and running kilts that I wear when training and racing, but when I "go out" in a kilt I lean way towards traditional matching the mode to the occasion.

The interestn thing is that I hadn't worn a Kilt since 2007, so 10 years, and when I came back to it my preference went for traditional. I do remember though back then I was set on continuin down the contemporary path adding leather kilts. Today however I couldn't be farther from that.

**WalesLax** · 31st March 17, 08:32 AM

I've always worn tartans and disliked the ukilikilt look (on myself; everyone else can do whatever makes them happy), but I used to really like wearing my kilt without a sporran and without socks, both of which have changed. I generally wore mine when it was warmer and to social events with friends or highland games.

What probably changed is that I took up bagpiping and have had our appearance drilled in to me by our pipe major for a few years now. I've literally gone from preferring to wear sandals and no socks to owning a drawer full of different and expensive sock options for various events and to match different kilts.

Rob

PS - I also think this is due to changing tastes over time. I used to REALLY like Ace of Base..... not so much anymore. ;)