'Ultra' Casual Kilt Wear

[Nathan]

"Kilt as jeans"? I have no problem with the concept. But sartorial ideas of what to wear with jeans, at home or privately, vs. out in public, may differ. Would I, or do I ever, wear an untucked t-shirt with jeans? Sure. At home. Never, ever out in public.

The absolutely most casual I'd ever get with a kilt in public -- on a very hot day -- would be something like this:

Dale, your look is classic and smart and you are indeed a fine dresser. As a man who has passed my 35th birthday I am attracted to classic style more and more.

The classic look is not, however, hip or trendy. I think the OP is trying to bring the kilt into his regular style and that of his peers. In my generation, for example, casual shirts were never tucked in. Dress shirts were, to be sure, but casual shirt tails were left out with jeans.

There is a look of deliberately messy style that the keen eye can parse from someone who is just a slob. For example, a few years ago, it was popular among youth to use pommade products in their hair to achieve a "bed head" look like they just rolled out of bed after partying. If you inspect it closer though, you can see there's obviously product in the hair and the "mess" is arranged to flatter the face. The guy who actually did roll out of bed with his hair sticking up on one side, doesn't look as
cool as the guy who just evokes the look.

It's the same thing with wearing shirts untucked or jeans that come from the store with rips in them but making sure the outfit is pulled together with an obvious nod to cultural trends.

It is generational, but it's also about identity. If, like Kyle, you are aiming for Alex P. Keaton and have a conservative approach to your clothing, you would reject these trends as fads unworthy of consideration.

If, on the other hand, you're on your way to see an Arcade Fire concert and want to hand out flyers for your own band's upcoming show next weekend, you shouldn't look too "clean cut".

Some prefer their look to have an "edge". An iconoclastic middle finger (or two fingers for our British friends) to the conventions that came before. That's rock and roll and that is to a large extent Youth culture.

[Riverkilt]

Don't get much more casual than a tank top and sandals with a denim Utilikilt....was past 60 when this was taken. Great casual kilted outfit for hot weather hiking. This pic along the Paria River in far Northern Arizona.



Okay, maybe a wee bit more casual with just a Utilikilt Survival II and boots after hiking down Cathedral Wash in Marble Canyon and relaxing by the Colorado River.



And I know there are pics of barefoot in a kilt sans shirt out there...taken on the beach. Guess a casual kilt by itself is the ultimate in ultra casual.

[kiltedwolfman]

I've enjoyed many a kilted day going just aout as cusual as Ron is in his pics above. The kicker is that the kilt is after all is said and done just clothes. Now there are many folks who would argue otherwise and they are most welcome to thier personal oppinion. We should remember however that how we class the kilt as clothing is based on personal beliefs and arguing over the correctness of personal beliefs is better done elsewhere. If we take all "belief" and emotion out of the picture, lose the semantics and at the very least agree that kilts are clothes we can open up a very wide range of possibilities for thier presentation. My kilts hold a cultural tie but I also enjoy that I am not so constrained by that tie as to limit myself in how I wear them. Bottom line from my viewpoint is that it's your kilt and if you like how you look then run with it.

Before I armour up here are a few pics just to show I'm not talking out of my tuther end,
DSC01610.jpgIMG_0601.jpgIMG_4620.jpg
And I guess one to show that I can look a little less casual too
IMG_0404.jpg

[The Kiltman]

As a daily Kilt wearer, mostly cotton and cotton blend, I agree with your post 100%. The Kilt can be dressed up as in a Black Tie Event or dressed down for gardening, sports, hiking, fishing, painting the house,
pulling weeds, or having a beer with a friend. I have noticed that if you place a Tuxedo next to a Prince Charles with full Kilted Attire, there is no question that the Kilt Rules the day. It is Casual Dress all the way
up to Formal Dress with the same garment. What other western garment can have that range and tradition ?

[Alan H]

I've enjoyed many a kilted day going just aout as cusual as Ron is in his pics above. The kicker is that the kilt is after all is said and done just clothes. Now there are many folks who would argue otherwise and they are most welcome to thier personal oppinion. We should remember however that how we class the kilt as clothing is based on personal beliefs and arguing over the correctness of personal beliefs is better done elsewhere. If we take all "belief" and emotion out of the picture, lose the semantics and at the very least agree that kilts are clothes we can open up a very wide range of possibilities for thier presentation. My kilts hold a cultural tie but I also enjoy that I am not so constrained by that tie as to limit myself in how I wear them. Bottom line from my viewpoint is that it's your kilt and if you like how you look then run with it.

Before I armour up here are a few pics just to show I'm not talking out of my tuther end,
DSC01610.jpgIMG_0601.jpgIMG_4620.jpg
And I guess one to show that I can look a little less casual too
IMG_0404.jpg

Nice. Very nice.

[Alan H]

Me. At work. Stanford University med Center IT.



Me. At work again.



and again....at work.



and again, at work... Yes, I like white socks. I LIKE them, and I own several pairs and I choose to wear them despite the fact that some people on X Marks find them abhorrent.



NOT at work....dayhiking, after three days in on the trail, in the Mono Basin, southern Sierra Nevada. We're at about 12,000 feet elevation, here. Very sweaty. I trust that is "casual" enough for ya!



BTW, I'm 56 years old and my beard is now completely white.

BTW, this is ALSO me.



For those who feel that my look is excessively slovenly, well, you are entitled to your opinion, and your choice of words. I am also entitled to my opinion about A.) what clothes I strap on, in the morning and B.) what I think about YOUR opinion.

[adempsey10]

For those who feel that my look is excessively slovenly, well, you are entitled to your opinion, and your choice of words. I am also entitled to my opinion about A.) what clothes I strap on, in the morning and B.) what I think about YOUR opinion.

I think you've got a well rounded look for every occasion. That's putting the versatility of the kilt to good use, IMO.

P.S. We share a name, glad to see it's spelled the proper way. A-l-a-n. hahaha. Cheers, mate.

[Dale Seago]

Me. At work. Stanford University med Center IT.

You cover all the bases very nicely. BTW, I recognize the outdoor locations as my SO works at the same place, in pain management.

On the subject of "ultra-casual" with NONtraditional kilts, I can do that too. 5.11 Tactical Duty Kilt:

[Alan H]

OH, and so is this - me..I mean.



However, in that picture, I'm attending a very important Scottish Cultural Event, wearing a tartan kilt and WHITE SOCKS. I'm also stinky, covered in dried sweat
and generally having a great time. I might also be, in some peoples estimation, "slovenly". Horrors.

[adempsey10]

I'd like to thank everyone for their replies and suggestions. I discovered that the drop on my PV kilts are far too long for me. I have a 21.5" drop and PV HoS kilts come standard with a 24" drop. This is probably why I look so ridiculous with a tucked in shirt whenever I wear my kilt. In order to get the kilt to sit just below my knee (which is apparently still too long) I've got to make the kilt sit about two inches above my navel. I'm looking into having them hemmed today.

It's certainly a process finding a good mix of smart and casual without looking like a weirdo-in-a-kilt.


For your amusement, I present you with this. Not unlike what I look like with a tucked in shirt with my kilts as they are now.