a new historical kilt question

[tashaar]

Been a while since I been here. You were all so wonderfully helpful the last time. I had a quick question about outerwear that should be worn with a kilt. For those who don't remember, I'm writing about a character wearing a kilt to a formal ball in early spring of 1902. I do have the book The Kilt and How to Wear It (great resource) but it says nothing of outerwear that I can see. Would one wear a black Inverness coat with the kilt? It does mention that gloves are not required (though Victorian/Edwardian gentlemen did tend to wear them for balls and going outside in any case). And - what about hats? A top hat would look silly. He could wear a tartan "bonnet" as Mr. Erskine notes, but I'm not sure my character would wear a tartan hat to this affair--he's not entirely comfortable yet in his kilt-wearing persona. What is best, a bowler? A Homburg?

Anyway, suggestions are appreciated. Thanks for all your help, it's made my story much more colourful!
--Ann

[Big Mikey]

I would think that if your character is "middle class" or has a military background, a black glengarry would be appropriate. A wee bit formal but not over the top.

[bubba]

Like Big Mikey said, a Glengarry for formal, but for a bit less formal a Balmoral.

[tashaar]

How about the coat? Black Inverness? It's a trifle cold outside. He also has white gloves, only because he is (as were many gentlemen of the time) more conventional - not to touch a lady's bare hand at a ball.

And he does have a military background, though he was medical. They do take the hats off when they come inside, correct?
--Ann
PS: I suppose he's upper middle class, not gentry necessarily, though he is an educated gentleman.

[bubba]

I would imagine a wool Inverness cape would be appropriate.

[macwilkin]

Bonnets off, always indoors, ESPECIALLY at a formal function.

Regards,

Todd

[tashaar]

Thanks, gentlemen! You are truly a wealth of information!

Blessings to all!
--Ann

[Seaforth Piper]

I've an article from the West End Gazetter from about 1915 which goes into the subject. I'll try to dig it up for you.

From memory (of the article - I'm not quite that old!), the cloth for Highland evening dress of the era would likely be black or bottle-green velvet, in a cut simular to non-kilted evening-dress, with tartan hose, buckled shoes and sgean dubh. head-dress would most likely be a 'blue bonnet' (Kilmarnock aka balmoral).

the "Bonny Prince Charlie" was considered 'new' in 1915

gotta go, the bairns are calling!

R

[macwilkin]

I've an article from the West End Gazetter from about 1915 which goes into the subject. I'll try to dig it up for you.

From memory (of the article - I'm not quite that old!), the cloth for Highland evening dress of the era would likely be black or bottle-green velvet, in a cut simular to non-kilted evening-dress, with tartan hose, buckled shoes and sgean dubh. head-dress would most likely be a 'blue bonnet' (Kilmarnock aka balmoral).

the "Bonny Prince Charlie" was considered 'new' in 1915

gotta go, the bairns are calling!

R

R -- Wouldn't a Kilmarnock be a little "out of fashion" by the early 1900's? -- the Kilmarnock or Hummel Bonnet was the precursor to the Glengarry at the turn of the 19th century.

Cheers,

Todd

[Jeremiah]

When I go to my buddy's wedding I will be wearing a Fedora....