Highland Games

[Knoxy10]

I am going to the Mew Hampshire Highland Games for the first time ever this year and I don't know if I should dress up in a kilt or just wear a sweatshirt and work boots. I just don't want to look ridiculous or anything.

Any tips?

I appreciate the advice in advance!

[Jock Scot]

What would you wear to that event if you were not wearing the kilt? Its a good place to start for any event that you could think of and then, wear the kilt equivalent. So once you answer that question and then tell us the answer so we can be guided by your thinking and then, we can give some kilt attire advice far more helpfully. Hope that helps.

[Knoxy10]

What would you wear to that event if you were not wearing the kilt? Its a good place to start for any event that you could think of and then, wear the kilt equivalent. So once you answer that question and then tell us the answer so we can be guided by your thinking and then, we can give some kilt attire advice far more helpfully. Hope that helps.

I would wear, jeans, a polo, and boat shoes like sperry's. But I never wore to something so I don't know what to match it with :/ and that helps a ton, in all honesty I appreciate the help!

[Jock Scot]

Well alright we now have something to work with! I am in Scotland so my view will be slanted a tad, for instance I don't know what "sperrys" are.

Lets start with the kilt---tartan?----it is the centrepiece of you attire for any event, so for all occasions wear it properly. The kilt "hem" to be no lower than the centre of the kneecap----- level with the top of the top of the knee cap would be even better.
A polo shirt is fine too with the kilt. I don't think many would disagree so far.

Now, I don't know your climate so I am making assumptions here, but it will probably be warmer than Scotland? So, "sprerrys" are boots? Personally I am not keen on the kilt/boot look combination, but it does seem popular over there, a good pair of brogues, wingtips I think you call them over there are perfect. Please don't waste your money on those dreadful ghillie brogue things. Hose are better in my eyes, worn pulled up to about a couple of inches below the bottom of the knee, however scrunched down hose does appear to be a popular look for some over there,particularly if its hot!

Others will no doubt chip in, but I doubt if my advice is too far out. Have fun.

[David Dubh]

Well said Jock. Sperrys are a boat shoe, think loafer. I personally wear my hose up when I wear a collared shirt. To my eye a collared shirt is more dressy. I'm going to the Canmore Highland games in the foothills of Alberta with the Canadian three sisters mountain range as the backdrop. So depending on weather I would wear a polo or button up shirt with hose pulled up and flashes hunting type sporran and either black or brown brogues. For inclement weather a warm jumper (sweater or sweatshirt) hiking type boot and hose either pulled up or scrunched down depending on how inclement, wet cold windy snow etc.
I'm not a fan of sandals or runners/trainers with the kilt unless you're in a band and are transiting to the venue before getting ready to perform.
That's just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions everyone has one 😳

[cessna152towser]

I was a guest from Scotland at the New Hampshire Games in 2010. The scenery around Loon Mountain is very much similar to the Scottish Highlands, as was the climate when I was there. I can assure you that a kilt is entirely appropriate. During Highland Games week Loon Mountain Resort and the neighbouring towns of Lincoln and Woodstock go in for the kilt big time. You will find kilted waiters in the cafes, even the police wear kilts in their state tartan. Indeed I wore kilts every day during my nine day stay in New Hampshire and saw more kilt wearers than I would expect to see in a typical nine day period here in Scotland. Any style of kilt, traditional or non-trad, and you can wear anything you like with it, whether a formal dress shirt, or a tee-shirt, or a polo shirt, or a sweatshirt or even a Hawaiian shirt. Headwear is optional but neither a flat cap nor a wide brimmed cowboy hat would look out of place. I took over one hundred photos at the games. For some style ideas please take a look at how people are dressed in my photo album:-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cessna...57624942961802

[Jack Daw]

Wear kilt; nicht Lederhosen und Tyrolean hut.

[Knoxy10]

Well alright we now have something to work with! I am in Scotland so my view will be slanted a tad, for instance I don't know what "sperrys" are.

Lets start with the kilt---tartan?----it is the centrepiece of you attire for any event, so for all occasions wear it properly. The kilt "hem" to be no lower than the centre of the kneecap----- level with the top of the top of the knee cap would be even better.
A polo shirt is fine too with the kilt. I don't think many would disagree so far.

Now, I don't know your climate so I am making assumptions here, but it will probably be warmer than Scotland? So, "sprerrys" are boots? Personally I am not keen on the kilt/boot look combination, but it does seem popular over there, a good pair of brogues, wingtips I think you call them over there are perfect. Please don't waste your money on those dreadful ghillie brogue things. Hose are better in my eyes, worn pulled up to about a couple of inches below the bottom of the knee, however scrunched down hose does appear to be a popular look for some over there,particularly if its hot!

Others will no doubt chip in, but I doubt if my advice is too far out. Have fun.

I will be wearing a sweatshirt. I have a MacFarlane ancient hunting tartan kilt. And I'll be in New Hampshire, where it's just south of Canada. I don't have any shoes for the kilt and it's going to be muddy there. I want to dress casual with a kilt but not look stupid how much are brogues? I will see where I can buy them!

[Knoxy10]

Well said Jock. Sperrys are a boat shoe, think loafer. I personally wear my hose up when I wear a collared shirt. To my eye a collared shirt is more dressy. I'm going to the Canmore Highland games in the foothills of Alberta with the Canadian three sisters mountain range as the backdrop. So depending on weather I would wear a polo or button up shirt with hose pulled up and flashes hunting type sporran and either black or brown brogues. For inclement weather a warm jumper (sweater or sweatshirt) hiking type boot and hose either pulled up or scrunched down depending on how inclement, wet cold windy snow etc.
I'm not a fan of sandals or runners/trainers with the kilt unless you're in a band and are transiting to the venue before getting ready to perform.
That's just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions everyone has one 😳

I agree with the opinion thing. But I like hearing opinions. I don't have a kilt shop near me and I don't think if I order my accessories from SportKilt (I know it's not a legitimate kilt) it won't come in until after the event so I want to improvise. I do actually have Sperry Boots, haha and they're comfortable as can be!

[Knoxy10]

I was a guest from Scotland at the New Hampshire Games in 2010. The scenery around Loon Mountain is very much similar to the Scottish Highlands, as was the climate when I was there. I can assure you that a kilt is entirely appropriate. During Highland Games week Loon Mountain Resort and the neighbouring towns of Lincoln and Woodstock go in for the kilt big time. You will find kilted waiters in the cafes, even the police wear kilts in their state tartan. Indeed I wore kilts every day during my nine day stay in New Hampshire and saw more kilt wearers than I would expect to see in a typical nine day period here in Scotland. Any style of kilt, traditional or non-trad, and you can wear anything you like with it, whether a formal dress shirt, or a tee-shirt, or a polo shirt, or a sweatshirt or even a Hawaiian shirt. Headwear is optional but neither a flat cap nor a wide brimmed cowboy hat would look out of place. I took over one hundred photos at the games. For some style ideas please take a look at how people are dressed in my photo album:-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cessna...57624942961802

Thanks so much, Cessna. I'll look at them now! I can't wait to go! I used to ski at Loon and loved it. Can't wait to see how it looks in the off season!

Hopefully you come back soon and I'll buy you a beer! I plan to go annually now.