Average Scottish Groom's Wedding Attire

[Steve Ashton]

I did not want to throw gas on the fire, but now that the couple are wed I can add that the belief that all weddings held in Scotland, by Scots, follow the TCHD rules which are so touted here is not always born out.

Here is the wedding party of one of our members. Everyone in the party lives in Scotland and the ceremony was held in Scotland.

[The Q]

I'll add,
In Inverness and the Hebridies (1970s) passing (not attending ) weddings I never saw a kilt.
In central Scotland in the 80's my sisters weddings, No one wore a kilt.
In central Scotland in the 2000's my nephews and nieces weddings, only the Groom, and Best man wore a kilt.
In Central Scotland in the 2010s, one or two more wore a kilt..
Note all the kilt wearers were Prince Charlie, and white socks straight out of a hire shop.. (except me).

Most Scots see the kilt as wedding attire only, except for those wearing those cheap £50 ones to a rugby or football match..

[Jock Scot]

I stand to be corrected here, but I assume the picture was taken in the Lowlands of Scotland? If so, an area hardly renowned for traditional kilt attire, or, even "average", even these days.

[Nomad]

I stand to be corrected here, but I assume the picture was taken in the Lowlands of Scotland? If so, an area hardly renowned for traditional kilt attire, or, even "average", even these days.

Straight through my southern heart, but thanks to your own and others advice I can say I don't own white or cream hose, although I did buy dark grey, they match my jacket and waist coat so forgive me my first tentative steps into kilting (rarely worn now, prefer my greens and red hose).

[OC Richard]

Yes that photo Steve posted bears out exactly what I was saying about the Scottish weddings I pipe at here in California, the dress of the people have flown in from Scotland, a sea of black Prince Charlies.

I have no way of knowing if it's Kilt Hire or things they own.

I was informed by an elderly Scottish woman that a black Prince Charlie was the one and only "proper" thing to wear. She spoke of it implying ancient tradition. Privately I was amused, knowing that as late as 1914 the Prince Charlie was spoken of as being "entirely modern" and as late as the 1930s was spoken of as only suitable for fashionable young men, while mature gents were expected to appear in doublets.

In any case a piper can't go wrong appearing in the typical modern piper's attire of black Argyll. A bit underdressed when everyone is in Prince Charlies, a bit overdressed if everyone is in tweed.

[Steve Ashton]

I would always get a kick out of the guys flying into Victoria from Scotland for weddings who came to my shop for rentals.

They all asked for exactly the same outfits. Prince Charlies, Kilt Belts, White hose, Fly Plaids, Tartan flashes, and Ruche ties.

Every time I would try to explain that I did not have what they expected, I would get these long lectures about how they were the Scots and knew best. Quite often I was accused of trying to change and destroy their Scottish Highland heritage.

Some would even get angry. That always went over really well.

[OC Richard]

They all asked for exactly the same outfits. Prince Charlies, Kilt Belts, White hose, Fly Plaids, Tartan flashes, and Ruche ties.

At least they weren't asking for white Sheriffmuirs!

BTW did you notice he's wearing black flashes? To come SO close to perfection, only to fail, and with such a small thing at that.

Perhaps the black flashes were required to coordinate with the ghillies

[Katia]

BTW did you notice he's wearing black flashes? To come SO close to perfection, only to fail, and with such a small thing at that.

And why are they sticking straight out to the sides? Is he about to fly away??

[Father Bill]

I would always get a kick out of the guys flying into Victoria from Scotland for weddings who came to my shop for rentals.

They all asked for exactly the same outfits. Prince Charlies, Kilt Belts, White hose, Fly Plaids, Tartan flashes, and Ruche ties.

Every time I would try to explain that I did not have what they expected, I would get these long lectures about how they were the Scots and knew best. Quite often I was accused of trying to change and destroy their Scottish Highland heritage.

Some would even get angry. That always went over really well.

Yes, I had a Scot fly far off the handle with me when I hinted that white hose smacked somewhat of hire shops. We were actually both wearing trousers at the moment. We didn't even agree to disagree; he just headed off in a huff, which, I believe may have been his favourite vehicle for transportation.

Similarly I had an old Scotswoman insist repeatedly that only white hose were formal. She's dead. No disagreement anymore.

[Highland Logan]

I would always get a kick out of the guys flying into Victoria from Scotland for weddings who came to my shop for rentals.

They all asked for exactly the same outfits. Prince Charlies, Kilt Belts, White hose, Fly Plaids, Tartan flashes, and Ruche ties.

Every time I would try to explain that I did not have what they expected, I would get these long lectures about how they were the Scots and knew best. Quite often I was accused of trying to change and destroy their Scottish Highland heritage.

Some would even get angry. That always went over really well.

A nice example of something I hinted at; if sometimes more blatantly than others, that we're all individuals. One does not have to have been born or raised in Scotland, to wear Highland dress correctly, nor does someone who has have some innate ability to wear it correctly.

There's no us and them, just me and you.

Frank