Critique my summer kilt wear

[Mael Coluim]

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.

Although, not P/V you may find the tartan of your heart in a casual kilt sale at Burnette & Struths who advertise here. I have two of them in my Clan's tartan and they are my workhorses for the Games season here in VA which starts in fall but still hot. Once you have your family tartan, don't be afraid to branch out in universal tartans which Rocky at USA Kilts offer quite a number in P/V. And then, again there is no rule against wearing a family tartan not your own!

[Jock Scot]

To those that think traditional Highland attire is bound rigidly to a set of rules, then this thread illustrates perfectly that it is possible to dress appropriately and smartly in hot weather, by using imagination and personal flair. The pertinent suggestions and observations from others admirably demonstrates that further options are also available.

In my view, just because its hot, it does not excuse sloppy dress. Comfortable, is sensible. Smart? Most certainly and to achieve both, all that is required is a certain amount of brain power.

[Father Bill]

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

Yeah - in the middle of a prayer at the altar! . . . .

[CMcG]

<snip>
Only thing I might suggest is that your embossed belt and buckle are a tad fancy for the otherwise simple/casual statement you are making. So a plainer belt might be a good choice

I'd switch the nylon sporran for a plain brown or black leather one. <snip>

First of all and as Jock has remarked, I think Mael's outfit has some real personal flair while still being smart and weather appropriate.

I'd like to echo Matt's suggestion that the embossed belt and round waistplait buckle don't quite work with the rest of the outfit. I still prefer to wear a belt (when I don't have a waistcoat), so I would have worn a more simple and plain duty belt.

David's suggestion about the sporran would also be to my taste. I know the Stillwater nylon is practical but I've always thought it looked a little too much like a fanny pack. A plain leather sporran would look more... ummmm, sporran-like

The adaptations for heat (hat, pv kilt, cotton hose) are all cool decisions. I know chukkas are called desert boots but are they cooler than regular shoes? The only thing missing is sunglasses

[ThistleDown]

Two thumbs up, Ern. I especially like the plant badge you have ingeniously attached to the crown of your hat. Not the usual Malcolm one, I note.

[Dale Seago]

First of all and as Jock has remarked, I think Mael's outfit has some real personal flair while still being smart and weather appropriate.

I agree. I think polos are fine; I have some and often see them worn at Games and suchlike events; but somehow I've never gotten around to wearing one with a kilt.

My own attire in warm weather tends to feature something like a short-sleeve hemp or linen shirt, as in this pic from last month:



I'd call that "smart casual warm-weather wear"; the pic was taken at the outdoor wedding of a couple of my martial art students on a ranch. Dress code had been announced as casual, and most male guests were wearing open-neck short-sleeve shirts and slacks. This being "an occasion", that is to say a wedding, I went with black dirk belt, sporran, and shoes.

In a "even more casual" setting, specifically a hike in the coastal hills last weekend:



That's with a Cabela's "Serengeti Safari II Shirt" in British tan; brown dirk belt and brown leather Stillwater cargo sporran; and chukkas from Timberland. All seemed to go together well for being "out in the boonies" while also being fine for dinner afterward at a cafe in Half Moon Bay.

. . .Oh, and given that (unprotected) I'm lobster-red after half an hour in the sun, I'm also wearing a good SPF 85 sunblock.

[Mael Coluim]

.....<snip>..... The only thing missing is sunglasses

Actually the eyeglasses have transition lenses. I guess they were shaded by the hat brim at this angle. But here's another shot a little later.


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[davidlpope]

Dale,

This is exactly the sort of thing I was suggesting. Well done.

[wepollard]

A very handsome outfit. I too wear polos with my kilts but not in hot weather. Temps right now are in the high 80's and next week promise to be in the 90's. I also spend 3 hours five days a week in a hot kitchen (Meals on Wheels) preparing hot meals to be delivered to our clients. In this weather I wear a tank top with my USAK casual kilt and sandals. Not a combo I would wear to church or to a party but appropriate for the circumstances. A kilt looks good no matter what it is worn with.

[Mael Coluim]

Two thumbs up, Ern. I especially like the plant badge you have ingeniously attached to the crown of your hat. Not the usual Malcolm one, I note.

Right, Rex. I had no Rowen handy, so I thought the sprig of crape myrtle would be a good stand in. Was concerned it may have been a bit too over powering!