Quote Originally Posted by Tobus View Post
Wearing a suit with a standard dress shirt unbuttoned (and no necktie) does seem to be a casual approach to smart dress, I agree. But there's an important element here. It's taking standard dress items and "down-dressing" them for a casual look. That is, to me, the definition of smart-casual. I would define it as a more casual way of wearing dress items.

But that's completely different than trying to "up-dress" casual items. A t-shirt with a suit may be popular these days in certain circles, but it comes off as a counter-culture look, not smart-casual. The mixing of a casual t-shirt with a dressy suit is a jab at traditional dress, not simply a relaxation of smart dress. Does that make sense?

And this is where I think the ghillie shirt fits in (or rather doesn't) with smart-casual. It is trying to "up-dress" a folksy style, and the context just doesn't fit. So it comes off looking like a jab at traditionally recognised forms of dress.

Again, if you have chosen this to be your personal style, that's your business. But the perception by others will likely not be that it's smart-casual.

I think everything else on your list could probably fit smart-casual. It's just the shirt choice that seems out of place.
Yes, I understand what you're saying. But I believe this look which I consider to be smart-casual Highland Dress, is a great innovation which doesn't seem to break the conventions of the natural development of the kilt. Who knows, this could be the next stage in its development. Maybe in 50-100 years time, people will be wearing this outfit and it will be referred to as "Smart-casual Highland Dress" and it will co-existent with all the current levels/styles of kilt wear we have today.