Kilt Question for the 'Rabble'

[Jock Scot]

A Beau Brummel I am not. But as far as the kilt straps, if the straps are black, black sporran and shoes. Brown straps, sporran and shoes.

The color of shoes should match the belt or sporran. You don't wear brown shoes with a black tux.

I am no Beau Brummel either, but in fact, for normal Highland day wear it is quite common and acceptable to mix leather colours. I would not even consider my kilt straps in this equation though and I doubt many Scots would and of course if you only have two kilt straps, out of sight for most of the time, who would know, or,
frankly, care? Personally, with my old army eyes, I prefer the leathers to match, but it is not necessary, for day wear. So I find a black day kilt belt(with a "spike" brass buckle), black day sporran and strap far more versatile and the sporran can, at a pinch, be used for almost any occasion. .

For formal occasions then I think more thought is required as black foot wear are the foundation of for formal attire(do we all agree?). However much is solved for us by the need for a silver(coloured) sporran chain and a multitude of fairly sober coloured sporran leather and perhaps a shiny metal cantle.

[McMurdo]

Well said Jock, honestly this is the first time I'd ever even thought about the colour of the straps. I certainly would not think I'd have to match anything to them, and yes mixing leather colour for day wear is perfectly acceptable. If there is any doubt I'd say take a look at the many photographic examples on this forum starting with this one
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-photos-49608/

[davidg]

I certainly would not think I'd have to match anything to them, and yes mixing leather colour for day wear is perfectly acceptable

Absolutely, but there is also personal preference to take into account. I am one of those whose oxblood sporran matches his oxblood shoes and if I had oxblood straps (which I don't) I'b be a happy bunny because I like match matchy

I tend to go along with the idea of brown leather and brass fittings for day wear and black leather with silver for evening. But I do wear black and silver in the daytime sometimes. I probably would not mix leather colours but it is certainly not incorrect to do so

[McMurdo]

Absolutely, but there is also personal preference to take into account. I am one of those whose oxblood sporran matches his oxblood shoes and if I had oxblood straps (which I don't) I'b be a happy bunny because I like match matchy

I tend to go along with the idea of brown leather and brass fittings for day wear and black leather with silver for evening. But I do wear black and silver in the daytime sometimes. I probably would not mix leather colours but it is certainly not incorrect to do so

I never said you could not wear matching leathers, in fact I do that myself often, however it is not a requirement with Highland Wear as it is with other types of clothing.

Also I think stressing about the colour of the straps on your kilt or trying to build the rest of your outfit around the colour of your kilt straps is a bit much

[davidg]

it is not a requirement with Highland Wear as it is with other types of clothing

I don't think it's actually a requirement with other types of clothing either, especially the military

The Royal Air Force wear black shoes, brown leather gloves for example. I think the Army regiments do similar and I'm not aware of any code of dress that says otherwise

It's interesting you use the word stressing though. I would have used the word fussing as I think that's probably more accurate. Some of us just like to fuss about considering the options and generally day dreaming about what we want. I certainly don't get stressed with such day dreaming and I doubt whether anyone else does either

[Jock Scot]

In the British army, Officers wear brown shoes and a Sam Browne, apart from the Rifle Regiments and the Gurkhas who's Officers wear black shoes and a Sam Black.

[creagdhubh]

I am no Beau Brummel either, but in fact, for normal Highland day wear it is quite common and acceptable to mix leather colours. I would not even consider my kilt straps in this equation though and I doubt many Scots would and of course if you only have two kilt straps, out of sight for most of the time, who would know, or,
frankly, care? Personally, with my old army eyes, I prefer the leathers to match, but it is not necessary, for day wear. So I find a black day kilt belt(with a "spike" brass buckle), black day sporran and strap far more versatile and the sporran can, at a pinch, be used for almost any occasion. .

For formal occasions then I think more thought is required as black foot wear are the foundation of for formal attire(do we all agree?). However much is solved for us by the need for a silver(coloured) sporran chain and a multitude of fairly sober coloured sporran leather and perhaps a shiny metal cantle.

Quite right, Jock.

Thanks,

[creagdhubh]

Absolutely, but there is also personal preference to take into account. I am one of those whose oxblood sporran matches his oxblood shoes and if I had oxblood straps (which I don't) I'b be a happy bunny because I like match matchy

I tend to go along with the idea of brown leather and brass fittings for day wear and black leather with silver for evening. But I do wear black and silver in the daytime sometimes. I probably would not mix leather colours but it is certainly not incorrect to do so

Right. I don't care about matching - most of you should already be aware of this in regards to my Highland attire. All I simply asked was what colour leather kilt straps and type of kilt buckles would look good with each tartan - simple question, in which I received wonderful advice form the rabble.

Many of you answered this, and some took it to a whole other level.

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

Cousin,
I am onyl going to comment on the one that i have first hand knowledge of; the macpherson dress, i would go with black and silver and only 2 buckles. for thats what i have on mine and i really like it, i dont think brown would go well with so much white and i like the look and feel of the two buckles rather than 3 and its a bit different than what is normally done so it stands out a bit more.



a pic of my macpherson dress with only 2 buckles

Very good. I have decided on two straps for the Macpherson Dress kilt since I will be wearing a high-cut, velveteen doublet or coatee at times, and do not wish for a third strap to show with the dress tartan. My dress tartan has the scarlet double stripe, instead of the magenta in yours. The latter was first developed commerically by William Anderson and Sons, and not by the Clan Macpherson Chief at the time, Cluny-Macpherson (often called, 'Old-Cluny,' who died in 1885). The original Macpherson Dress (also called 'Macpherson of Cluny') tartan, had double scarlet (red) lines and not the magenta (purple), often seen today. However, Cluny has approved both for wear.

Creag Dhubh cousin!

[creagdhubh]

Amen!

No agonising at all! Just a simple question, that's all.

Cheers,