Critique my summer kilt wear

[Mael Coluim]

Good thought, Matt!

[Spartan Tartan]

I like it. That's pretty much my warmer weather get up. Looking good.

[Standard]

Mael, looks to me like you have nailed the hot, humid American style of kilt wear. While Matt suggested no belt, which indeed might be less restrictive feeling in the hot weather, to my eye the kilt does not look right without one. I compliment you on the breathable cotton hose with the hand tied garters. What brand (I know Clarks, what style) of boots do you wear, they look very comfortable.

[Joshua]

The Polo+Kilt combo is a given here in Florida. The only time of the year you can get away with full dress would be around Christmas parties and Burns dinners...

This one was maybe a couple weeks ago...



This one was in March...

[davidlpope]

There has been some discussion recently of the adaptability and versatility of the kilt. With that in mind, I thought I would share with you my day wear today, on a summer day in Virginia.





The kilt is USA Kilt semi-trad which is well suited with its P/V material for the hot humid weather in the southern USA. Tartan is Stewart black. Cotton kilt hose from Sock Dreams worn here with self tie garters from the STM. Clarks desert boots for footwear. Sporran is nylon from Stillwater kilts. I love polo’s and this color picks up a thin blue line in the tartan. Too hot for a wool balmoral, so this broken in straw hat keeps the sun off and the head cool.

What do you think?

Ern,

I'd switch the chukkas out for something a bit more subdued and low-cut, in either brown or black. I'd switch the nylon sporran for a plain brown or black leather one. I'd probably forgo the belt altogether as I've found it's more comfortable that way. The polo shirt works, but I'd also experiment with short-sleeved broad-cloth shirts with collars for a slightly more dressy take.

Best,

David

[Father Bill]

Hey - looks fine to me, Ern. I particularly like the traditional highland blackberry and camera cases!

[Mael Coluim]

Thanks, David. That would notch it up to a dressier look.

I just getting use to not wearing a kilt belt. It is a freeing move, but us old dogs just take a little more training, to get beyond past programming!

[Mark Stephenson]

Looks great! Thanks for posting and for describing the outfit. As a relative newbie, I find this very useful. I have to deal with the summer heat in southern Ohio. I sure wish I could find a PV tartan in any of the MacTavish or Stephenson tartans. As it is, I have wool kilts that look great, but are on the warm side when summer temperatures rise.

[Mael Coluim]

Hey - looks fine to me, Ern. I particularly like the traditional highland blackberry and camera cases!

A vibrating cell phone in your sporran does get your attention fast, though!

[Joshua]

I used to be in the "no belt" camp, but lately my waistband has been shifting so rapidly (in the good direction, trust me) that I need to wear a belt... and all I have are waistplates... which is why I picked brown leather/brass because I felt that was more "daywear" appropriate...

The Caledonia in the shot above was one I bought from a member here, courtesy of USA Kilts (Casual, Velcro) and it's too loose to wear w/out a belt now. It's still more appropriate in hot weather than the 8-yarder that I got from SHO (still in PV) but it's going to be resold again soon (or a good candidate for my wife to learn kiltmaking with).

In regards to hose in hot weather, in the Caledonia pic I am wearing Nighthawk's oft-suggested "diamond weave knee-high" socks from sockdreams.com - they are the best warm-weather hose ever... They don't have much of a cuff, but they are insanely cool and comfortable compared to traditional kilt hose. Plus the denim-blue (pictured) and the orange pairs I have look awesome with the Caledonia tartan.