Questions

[Ivor]

OK, I’ve worked my way through the posts here and this is what I’ve gleaned so far. The basis is a kilt and preferably you should have some connection, no matter how tenuous, to decide what tartan to choose. Next is socks, sorry hose, and the choice here is fraught with minefields for the uninitiated. White, seemingly, is a definite no no so some other colour or even patterned in some way is an aceptable choice. Tartan though is not really acceptable except in very circumscribed conditions and, judging by the expense, hardly realistic for a beginner. Shirts I have seen can be controversial also and anything quasi-historical such as ghillie shirts seems unacceptable. Whew! Now we are onto jackets and here be dragons! Kenmore, Sheriffmuir, Balmoral, Prince Charlie, Tweed, Swordsman - where do I stop? And that makes no mention of a simple sweater as a top garment.
So there we are. Totally confused. So what should a newcomer choose as his starter outfit bearing in mind he might need to dress up a bit for the odd wedding, rugby etc.?

[ShaunMaxwell]

How about:

• Solid colored hose
• Solid color flashes or garter ties
• A simple leather sporran in either brown or black and matching leather strap
• Polished shoes
• A kilt belt (if you're not wearing a waistcoat)
• A tattersall or solid colored (light) shirt
• Add in a tie and a tweed jacket should the occasion require it.
• If it's hot and you're at the Highland games, substitute a golf or safari type shirt.

That ought to set you up. More variations can be acquired later.

Cheers,

SM

[Taskr]

If I may, as a newbie not long ago:

Kilt: What tartan do you like? Yes, it is nice to find some link to it and many might say that is required. Its not a necessity, but know what tartan it is. <<"Are you Scottish?" maybe a smidge but not really "Then, what tartan is that?" MacScruffy of the Isles "Are you allowed to wear it?!" I bought it, so yes. >> They stomp off fuming and mumbling, and you are left feeling handsome and well in your kilt.

Hose: Yep. Colour is nice, and even charcoal grey is a "colour" (my first hose) Something you think will look nice with the kilt and your shoes.

Shirt: What you already have is probably fine as long as its not patterned and clashing with the tartan of your kilt. Same for ties.

Over the shirt: I wore a nice knit pullover or few before getting a jacket of any type. One has a collar style great for wearing a tie. The first jacket was a tux rental sale ($49) that I added nice buttons to for a formal event. My first crail was a bit of cash and an impulse, so not the best decision. I have four jackets now, but all to meet specific events I go to. I'd not be kilted at them if I didn't have the pennies to get the jackets. That said, I still would kilt often in the shirt and shirt/pullover- which I owned already and not kilt specific purchase.

For me, I simply let the kilt replace pants. Shoes, shirts, ties, pull overs I had. The tartan was maternal. If it hadn't been so readily available I'd have gone with a provincial/district or universal. I did need hose and sporran (inexpensive) to be "kilted", but that initial outlay was only three items. Again; kilt, hose, sporran. No fuss, no muss, no magic.

[FossilHunter]

How about:

• Solid colored hose
• Solid color flashes or garter ties
• A simple leather sporran in either brown or black and matching leather strap
• Polished shoes
• A kilt belt (if you're not wearing a waistcoat)
• A tattersall or solid colored (light) shirt
• Add in a tie and a tweed jacket should the occasion require it.
• If it's hot and you're at the Highland games, substitute a golf or safari type shirt.

That ought to set you up. More variations can be acquired later.

Cheers,

SM

I think this pretty much nails it.

If you own a suit, you probably already own much of the outfit anyway. Shirt, tie, shoes.

Add kilt, hose in a color you like, a leather sporran, and a pullover if it’s cold and bam, you’re there.

[Tobus]

So there we are. Totally confused. So what should a newcomer choose as his starter outfit bearing in mind he might need to dress up a bit for the odd wedding, rugby etc.?

I'm sure even with your normal non-kilted attire, you wouldn't wear the same thing to a wedding as you would to a rugby match. It's not that different with kilts. There's not a "starter outfit" that will satisfy all levels of dress.

If you're confused about what to choose, it might help to start with the categories of dress you want to achieve. Then acquire the accessories for that level of dress. In your examples of jackets, for instance, many of those would be over the top for a wedding or rugby match.

And also, it bears asking whether you are asking for advice purely within Highland traditions or if you're looking for alternative/modern ways of wearing it too. The answers could be completely different.

[Steve Ashton]

May I suggest that you take a look at the thread 1 kilt - 10 looks which can be found as a sticky in the General Kilt Talk forum section.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=46888

I am fairly certain that you will find that there are very few of the 'rules' you bring up.

Today there are close to 12,000 registered Tartans. The vast majority which are not named for Scottish Highland Clans. There are regional and area Tartans. (For wear by people who trace their family to somewhere other than the Scottish Highlands). There are Company Tartans such as Harley Davidson, The Hudson's Bay Co. Safeway, and even Hello Kitty. There are Tartans for groups and clubs such as the Ford Model T club, The Masons, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the US military branches. There are private and family Tartans such as the Hamish Bicknell and the Solberg-Bell family. There are even Tartans just because the weaver figured out how to create them and offer them hoping that they are well received like Ben Dubh which is a compleley Black on Black design where the pattern is achieved by spinning some yarns in the opposite direction from others. You see the pattern when the light hits it.

Tartan tells the world
Who am I, Where do I come from and how did I get where I am today.

The only 'rules' are -
Find a Tartan which has some meaning or significance to you.
Know what Tartan you are wearing (Someone will ask)
Wear it with pride.

Yes, there are Tartan snobs out there but there are no Tartan Cops.

The thing about white hose is not a restriction in any way. It is just a preference as many of the rental companies buy hose in bulk so many rental outfits have white hose.
White is just another color. Albeit one that screams "Rental kilt" to some. And because of that association got a bad rep.

Hose knit in the exact Tartan as the kilt would be very rare and most assuredly hand knit. What you see more often are patterns called Argyle using colors similar to those in the kilt.
Yes, some like diced, colored or fancy knitting like cables or popcorn bubbles to their hose, but really, what you choose it totally up to you and your sense of style and fashion.

There was a time when, if you did not have a pair of hose like this, hand knit by your granny, well, you just were not anybody. These were the height of kilt fashion.
They were almost always white or cream (Ecru) to show off the intricate patterns.

]


I don't remember anyone saying that a Ghillie shirt cannot or should not be worn. I do know that most understand that this style is a fairly recent invention and not historical at all. And that this style is best suited to casual wear like at Highland Games.

The thing about jackets is confusing yes, But much of that confusion is due to name only. For example the Argyle, Braemer and Crail jackets are actually the same jacket with a slightly different cuff treatment.



There are a few other styles such as Montrose and Serrifmuir left over from an older time that some members like but there is no requirement for any one style.

One thing you should have gleaned from X Marks is that this whole thing with the kilt is about style and fashion. To some the style and fashion have meaning and to some not so much.

We can try to help and advise someone with a question. But these are just personal preference. Opinion if you will.
The other thing you may have noticed is that there is plenty of support here regardless of your personal style and fashion sense.

[Taskr]

And also, it bears asking whether you are asking for advice purely within Highland traditions or if you're looking for alternative/modern ways of wearing it too. The answers could be completely different.

I agree with Tobus on that point, but hope that it is not taken to cause any more confusion on your part. The general sentiment you'll find is that each finds their own comfort zone in their kilted style as they join the ranks of the kilted many. The easiest way to start is to get a kilt, hose and sporran and add what you already own to make it walk-out-able. Figure out the rest after that.

[Ivor]

Thanks everyone so far for your valuable suggestions. I don’t think I want to go beyond regular highland dress, certainly not the non-tartan style kilts as I think even straightforward dress might raise questions with locals here. I loke the look of those tweed jackets and maybe that is the way to gonto begin with. Anyway thanks for your suggestions.

[Allan Thomson]

As I glance over the thread I may have missed it, but it doesn't seem like the most important question has been asked.....

What do you envision your kilt being primarily worn for?

This will answer the question as to what the most appropriate choice your primary acessories should be...

Let's say you envision your kilt being primarily worn for formal evening does and presentations & the like.... A good start would be the kilt in whichever tartan you like & are able to justify wearing, a black leather evening sporran, but not too impractical that you can't get away with using it as day wear, some hose (white is questioned but I think as a starter for evening wear which is affordable it's an option), a wing collar shirt (you may own one), normal black brogues are fine, garters, a black barathea evening style Argyll Jacket and waistcoat (or PC if you envision buying items which could be pressed into day wear in future).you could aquire these ex rental or as a package with the kilt.

Or do you see it more as day wear for attending smart daytime events, country fayres, national occasions in which case you're best off going for a kilt, tweed jacket, waistcoat if desired, possibly a belt if appropriate, normal shirt, tie & brown leather sporran, green or grey or brown hose, garters either brown brogues or black, go for the normal style. This can also be pressed into service for weddings predominantly in the daytime.

Are you going to wear it more casually in which case you would be fine with a kilt, brown sporran, darker hose, garters brown brogues or boots, a rugby jumper or t shirt, whatever takes your fancy & a wooly jumper goes well. Or a Ghilie shirt & a slashed doublet (you can sometimes get away with wearing the Ghillie Shirt & Doublet to some formal does).

I've always been fortunate to have inhereted some items so my first choice to purchase for myself was a PC, shirt & I went for the lace jabot, but also got a bow tie. The black sporran was bought for me. But for years before that I found the tweeds I inhereted were fine for pretty much everything even a friends evening do after their wedding.

I guess it depends on what you want from your kilt, how much you want to spend & how much flack are you prepared to take if someone wants to comment (though comments are rarer than they may seem from here). That's my thoughts anyway, but sure someone will disagree.

Re Sghian Dhoo I think if you want to save the pennies this can be ommitted as contrary to some people's beliefs it's not a must have...

Another thing to bear in mind is you can always get away with being more formal at less formal events if this is what you have, but it's a challenge to bemore accepted at a more formal event when you are less formal.

[Ivor]

As I glance over the thread I may have missed it, but it doesn't seem like the most important question has been asked.....

What do you envision your kilt being primarily worn for?

This will answer the question as to what the most appropriate choice your primary acessories should be...

Thanks for a very detailed reply and that is something I have to give some thought to. As I said in my OP it is probably weddings/ rugby matches (in Scotland) initially but everyone’s suggestions gives me more fiod for thought so thanks everyone.