TCHD insights from non-Highland clothing

[Steve Ashton]

I have always tried to followed the KISS principle. Keep It Simply Stupid.

I was raised to think that simple and understated is always classic and classy. And that the more formal, the simpler and more understated you want to look.

In my early days of kilt wearing I began to use the idea of looking in a mirror from the waist up. If I were to be standing at a counter for example, the person on the other side would not know that I was dressed in a kilt. This is usually the opposite of how most people approach vintage clothing outfits or kilt outfits.

For example if you are wearing a Balmoral bonnet with crest or a Glengarry, anyone seeing you over a counter would expect that you were wearing your kilt outfit. The same goes for a Laird's Plaid a cromach, Argyle jacket or the horrid Ruche tie.
Look at almost any photo I have posted of myself over the years and you will see this sort of thinking in practice.

A kilt sets us apart instantly. To me it's those Highland wear accessories that make us look like we are wearing a kilt costume.