Show us your Vintage Kilt Photos

**Tobus** · 28th December 11, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

And now for something completely different:

OC Richard, do you have any background info on this photo? I'm curious about the gentleman in the middle. He is wearing what appears to be formal civilian evening wear, which seems oddly out of place with the military uniforms of the others and the background of the photo. I realize that such "evening wear versus day wear" conventions may not have existed back then, but I must admit, his garb confuses me!

I see what appears to be a formal wing collar shirt and bowtie with a waistcoat and PC-like jacket with lapels, worn with buckle brogues, a fancy dirk on a dirk belt with shiny waistplate, Argyll hose (?), fly plaid, and a wonderfully ornate cantle on his horse hair sporran. And perhaps mini-medals on his lapel... I can't tell. But then the bonnet throws me off (is this customary with such formal attire?). And he's wearing this in the middle of the day, outdoors, in some sort of military parade or ceremony?

Do you know where this was, what year it was taken, what the circumstances were, etc.? I freely admit I'm not familiar with these names or military conventions, and I'm just curious about how his attire fits in with the context of the photo.

**HenryT** · 28th December 11, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

OC Richard, do you have any background info on this photo? I'm curious about the gentleman in the middle. He is wearing what appears to be formal civilian evening wear, which seems oddly out of place with the military uniforms of the others and the background of the photo. I realize that such "evening wear versus day wear" conventions may not have existed back then, but I must admit, his garb confuses me!

I see what appears to be a formal wing collar shirt and bowtie with a waistcoat and PC-like jacket with lapels, worn with buckle brogues, a fancy dirk on a dirk belt with shiny waistplate, Argyll hose (?), fly plaid, and a wonderfully ornate cantle on his horse hair sporran. And perhaps mini-medals on his lapel... I can't tell. But then the bonnet throws me off (is this customary with such formal attire?). And he's wearing this in the middle of the day, outdoors, in some sort of military parade or ceremony?

This photo could have been taken in the late afternoon. Many believe that evening wear is only worn after sunset (what most would say is evening). Evening starts at 6 pm, traditionally. If he traveled to the event he would more than likely dressed prior; knowing he would arrive and not have the time or place to change.

Also notice the shadows, these men are turned toward the sun... a trick used if you are losing light... just before sunset.

Just some ramblings...
Henry

**glenlivet** · 28th December 11, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by HenryT

Also notice the shadows, these men are turned toward the sun... a trick used if you are losing light... just before sunset.

but then wouldn't they be longer shadows?

**Tobus** · 28th December 11, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by glenlivet

but then wouldn't they be longer shadows?

Aye, the shadows are what made me question that this is a daytime event. My guess, based on the length of the shadows, is that it's either about 10am or 2pm (maybe even 9am or 3pm). Definitely not anywhere close to "evening".

But then again, maybe the "evening wear versus day wear" rules don't apply here, or didn't apply at the time... which is why I'm so curious.

**HenryT** · 28th December 11, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Aye, the shadows are what made me question that this is a daytime event. My guess, based on the length of the shadows, is that it's either about 10am or 2pm (maybe even 9am or 3pm). Definitely not anywhere close to "evening".

But then again, maybe the "evening wear versus day wear" rules don't apply here, or didn't apply at the time... which is why I'm so curious.

Who knows... when I first saw this, I immediately thought piper competition. Which explains the captions. If that is the case, I understand the formal dress... including medals and dirk. He is simply wearing the equivalent of a "stroller" suit during the day. He is just wearing the black lounge version of highland dress.

Because it can clearly be seen where the kilts fall... I would also venture a bet the photographer was low, perhaps, even kneeling, this would also explain the illusion of short shadows.

It is fun to speculate

**OC Richard** · 29th December 11, 06:10 AM

About those three pipers, as the caption says they're the men that came in 1st 2nd and 3rd in a piping competition. The man on the left appears to be a military Pipe Major, the man on the right in the uniform of a civilian pipe band (many of which wore uniforms very similar to military uniforms) while the man in the centre is wearing ordinary civilian Highland Dress of the time, a Regulation Doublet, long hair sporran, etc.

It was, and still is, quite common for pipers to "dress up" a bit and to wear black jackets with silver buttons during the daytime.

In fact most pipe bands nowadays (the ones that have jackets) wear black Argyll jackets with silver buttons at all their competitions, which take place at Highland Games during the day.

At the time that photo was taken it was quite usual to wear long hair sporrans with civilian Evening Dress... and it's fairly common nowadays too.

**BoldHighlander** · 8th January 12, 05:55 PM

In the thread Eisenhower & George VI, MacLowlife posted the following link & query:

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

here are a few stills, some of the same outfit. Not mine,

http://photobucket.com/images/King+George+VI+in+a+kilt/

Were they posted/ archived by an Xmarker?

After checking I found that two of the photos from the link he provided have been archived in this thread. The others haven't located, thus I'll include them here. I don't have any info concerning these photos so I'll leave that to others to provide. Enjoy!

the following two: the Braemar Games perhaps?