Question about kilt formality.

[kilted2000]

Why do people say that a casual kilt such as the USAK pv casual can’t be dressed up? Obviously, seasoned kilt wearers at a St. Andrews Society function will know the difference, but would most non kilted people we might come across in situations where we might be the only man in a kilt? What about the USAK semi-traditional pv kilt? It has buckled straps and is around 8 yards. I do want to get a traditional wool “tank” eventually, hopefully early next year, but for now would a tweed argyle really look very strange with a casual pv kilt? I’m just trying to understand better.

[Father Bill]

Possible that they would just notice that something was ‘off’ or not at all, or…

[OC Richard]

It's the thing about fashion, it's purely arbitrary, and one of its functions is to announce who is "in the loop" and who isn't.

In some realms pretty much everyone knows. Let's take cars: everyone can tell that a jeep is out of place if it appears on a racetrack full of race cars.

But at a Robert Burns Supper not everyone can tell if a Highland outfit, if a kilt, if a sporran, if a jacket, is out of place for an Evening function. But those who know about Highland Dress can.

[Steve Ashton]

This sort of goes back to the definition of "kilt". Is a lady, or a seller of Tartan pleated skirts, wrong when they call them kilts? They are made from Tartan and have pleats.

[McMurdo]

The issue as I see it with the Casual kilt is twofold. First the rise is not the same, dressing it up throws off the proportions as your torso appears too long due to the kilt not rising to the natural waist. Secondly the yardage comes into play, with less than half the yardage of a traditional kilt even a casual observer can notice the difference. My advice has always been to save for the best kilt you can afford and go from there. You can easily dress down a traditional kilt, not so much going the other way. Perhaps you should take a look at the 1 kilt 10 looks thread that Panache and I did so many years ago as a visual aide to what I am discussing.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

[Troglodyte]

I wonder if this is a North American anxiety with the kilt, as I have never come across such worries here in Scotland, or indeed other parts of the UK.

It is mostly the case here, that a man, if he has a kilt at all, has only the one - his kilt. It will most likely have been made by the nearest kilt-maker, in his clan tartan, and from the maker's preferred 'kilting' cloth. This one kilt will generally be worn on appropriate occasions, but not very often, and may only see action on Hogmanay, weddings and the like. A 'kiltie' is a rare creature in day-to-day life here.

This one kilt will be dressed up, or down, as the situation requires, probably with a Prince Charlie in the evening, perhaps a tweed coatee during the day, or 'team strip' if he is going to the footie. But it is just the same kilt.

It seems to me that the kilt is so engrained in Scottish culture and the national psyche that is is worn 'naturally' - in the way that a man might otherwise wear a suit. There is no real mystery or secret, despite the myths and misinformation.

Every kilt-wearer will know the difference (and the unititiated will see it immediately) between a conventional tartan kilt and a utility-kilt, but the wearer will know instinctively that he is trying to make the proverbial silk purse from a sow's ear if he teams the utility-kilt with formal evening wear - no matter what semantics he employs.

But the quality and weight of the kilting is immaterial (no pun intended!) other than in terms of initial available budget. Apart from the 'Oh, what tartan is that..?' a man can expect few, if any, questions or commments - certainly nothing regarding the yarn or cloth weight.

The conventions and traditions of the kilt have been formed over centuries of changing fashions and social need - there are no rules or laws for it. So the best advice would be avoid over-thinking it - age, social class, profession or location play no part in how or when the kilt is worn, nor the quality of meterials used - the wearer is free to please himself and enjoy whatever he chooses.

As there is so much 'how to' advice available, and illustrations to act as guidance, getting it 'right' has never been easier for the novice, but if in doubt, ask...

[FossilHunter]

Why do people say that a casual kilt such as the USAK pv casual can’t be dressed up? Obviously, seasoned kilt wearers at a St. Andrews Society function will know the difference, but would most non kilted people we might come across in situations where we might be the only man in a kilt? What about the USAK semi-traditional pv kilt? It has buckled straps and is around 8 yards. I do want to get a traditional wool “tank” eventually, hopefully early next year, but for now would a tweed argyle really look very strange with a casual pv kilt? I’m just trying to understand better.

Straps or velcro won’t be visible under a jacket and waistcoat.

If anything gives it away it would be the pleats or the way the lighter fabric sits. The semi trad would be better since they have deeper pleats. User Panache has been a big fan of dressing up the semi trad and from his photos here, I think he’s been successful.

[Panache]

Straps or velcro won’t be visible under a jacket and waistcoat.

If anything gives it away it would be the pleats or the way the lighter fabric sits. The semi trad would be better since they have deeper pleats. User Panache has been a big fan of dressing up the semi trad and from his photos here, I think he’s been successful.

Since I have been mentioned...

The USA Kilts Semi-traditional kilt has the same rise as a traditional wool kilt and a similar number of smaller pleats. The weight is less than wool but the kilt looks like a traditional kilt. That said, as a Scottish Country Dancer, the lighter weight is noticeable when there are quick turns and such (the famous "Kilt Swish" in action).

I wear my three USA Semi-Traditional kilts all the time and they are a wonderful option for someone who needs a kilt that can be washed, is stain resistant, and is a bit cooler than a wool kilt in warmer weather. I have worn mine to summer dances and no one has noticed that they aren't wool. Sport Kilts (which are absolutely brilliant for hot weather hiking and I have three of them) stand out in at a formal event like a sore thumb. They just don't hang like a real traditional kilt.

I have worn my USA Semi-traditional kilts to formal events (because I needed to wear a certain tartan) and thought I looked just fine.

Then again there is a HECK of a lot to be said about not just what kilt you wear, but how you wear it!

Make sure it is clean, nicely pressed, worn at the correct height, and centered on your body.

All things being equal, I prefer with my nice wool PC Coatee or my Doublet to wear wool so that the weight / textures of the fabrics seem aligned.

I see no problem with wearing a more casual daywear jacket with a USA Kilts Semi-traditional model.

In fact if I had to start my collection all over again and had limited funds I would want one traditionally made hand sewn kilt, one USA Semi-traditional one, and one Sport Kilt. I would then have a kilt for each and every occasion from hiking on a hot day to a Formal ball.

My two cents

Cheers

Jamie

[Jock Scot]

I wonder if this is a North American anxiety with the kilt, as I have never come across such worries here in Scotland, or indeed other parts of the UK.

It is mostly the case here, that a man, if he has a kilt at all, has only the one - his kilt. It will most likely have been made by the nearest kilt-maker, in his clan tartan, and from the maker's preferred 'kilting' cloth. This one kilt will generally be worn on appropriate occasions, but not very often, and may only see action on Hogmanay, weddings and the like. A 'kiltie' is a rare creature in day-to-day life here.

This one kilt will be dressed up, or down, as the situation requires, probably with a Prince Charlie in the evening, perhaps a tweed coatee during the day, or 'team strip' if he is going to the footie. But it is just the same kilt.

It seems to me that the kilt is so engrained in Scottish culture and the national psyche that is is worn 'naturally' - in the way that a man might otherwise wear a suit. There is no real mystery or secret, despite the myths and misinformation.

Every kilt-wearer will know the difference (and the unititiated will see it immediately) between a conventional tartan kilt and a utility-kilt, but the wearer will know instinctively that he is trying to make the proverbial silk purse from a sow's ear if he teams the utility-kilt with formal evening wear - no matter what semantics he employs.

But the quality and weight of the kilting is immaterial (no pun intended!) other than in terms of initial available budget. Apart from the 'Oh, what tartan is that..?' a man can expect few, if any, questions or commments - certainly nothing regarding the yarn or cloth weight.

The conventions and traditions of the kilt have been formed over centuries of changing fashions and social need - there are no rules or laws for it. So the best advice would be avoid over-thinking it - age, social class, profession or location play no part in how or when the kilt is worn, nor the quality of meterials used - the wearer is free to please himself and enjoy whatever he chooses.

As there is so much 'how to' advice available, and illustrations to act as guidance, getting it 'right' has never been easier for the novice, but if in doubt, ask...

Very nicely put. The above ought to be made into a "sticky".

[Troglodyte]

BBC Scotland is currently running a documentary series on Glasgow's Central Station, which might be worth watching to see native Scots wearing the kilt 'in the wild' so to speak.

It features the front line troops of Scotland's famous (or infamous, as the case may be) Tartan Army fans arriving at the station to catch a 'football special' to take them to the Covid-postponed Euro-2020 championships. The variety of styles and outfits is a delight to see, and the seasoned kilt-watcher will notice immediately how little attention is being paid to the 'rules'.

Plumed and decorated Glengarries alongside Jimmy hats, silver-trimmed fur sporrans, coloured saltire sporrans, bespoke premium kilts and kilts that could have been made from the kitchen table-cloth are all there to be seen. All worn for fun and with nonchalance.

And the tour-guide team get fitted-out in 'day-wear' Highland dress, put it on and wear it without a second thought or second glance from passers-by.

Not only is it entertaining to see such a mix of business and pleasure, it is enlightening to see how far from its formal stick-to-the-rules style-code the kilt and Highland dress has been taken in its native land. Inspirational, in other words...