Kilt attire add-ons. Are they necessary?

**Jock Scot** · 13th January 25, 06:20 AM

Dual post, now deleted. Sorry.

Mods, anyone, this is the third time it has happened in the recent past and is not a usual occurrence, am I doing something wrong? Well thats not in the least helpful! I have just deleted the original post!

**Pleater** · 13th January 25, 08:48 AM

You could be seeing double due to how things are being sorted on your PC.
My husband sends everything to me twice due to having the instruction set to copy rather than move.

Don't worry - it is easy enough to flick a duster round and tidy up any obvious anomalies that turn up during the 'housekeeping'

Anne the Pleater

**FossilHunter** · 13th January 25, 12:18 PM

Your technical difficulties are unfortunate, as this seems like an interesting topic, Jock.

**Jock Scot** · 14th January 25, 01:32 AM

Well yes, I had hoped that a slightly new slant on a regular topic of conversation here, might have garnered a certain amount of interest. In truth, I really cannot remember what I was attempting to say!

I will try to dredge up some thoughts! But don’t hold your breath!

**OC Richard** · 15th January 25, 08:05 AM

Certainly here in the USA there's a tendency to overdo the accessories.

"Let nothing be left behind" seems the guiding principle.

**Pleater** · 15th January 25, 10:47 AM

Kilts are becoming fairly common at folk musing events - I wish I'd got photos but being involved in all that is going on does make it a little difficult. It is now usual to see kilts worn with dance kit, and also at the social dances.

It is also not uncommon to see men coming from the shower block wearing a kilt, sandals and a grin.

Anne the Pleater

**Touchstone** · Yesterday, 04:06 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Certainly here in the USA there's a tendency to overdo the accessories.

"Let nothing be left behind" seems the guiding principle.

It was Coco Chanel, I believe, who suggested you completely dress and accessorize for an occasion, then look in the mirror and remove (at least) one accessory. Good advice.

**Jock Scot** · Yesterday, 04:52 AM

Well done everyone, you are getting the idea that I was wanting to raise!

The thought came to me at the start, that some kilt wearers really don't have the confidence to wear the kilt without wearing the "kitchen sink" (K.S.). The comment was made quite inocently by a Mr. X who stated that he could not possibly attend an event to watch, without wearing a SD. I thought to myself what a shame. I often read it here that others appear to lack the confidence to wear the kilt without the "K. S.", or some such.

We in Scotland with kilt attire experience have the confidence, that wearing the kilt for normal daily life the"K S" is not necessary and is perfectly acceptable, as is not wearing a balmoral, not carrying carrying a cromach, or plaid. So much so, we would wonder why someone would be fully attired for just every day events, or events that just happened to be at a venue that they just happened to be passing through.

Where does this lack of confidence come from? Inexperience I understand, but one only needs to spend a few hours on this website to get the idea firmly placed in the mind that the "K S" is not always necessary for all occasions.

I have my thoughts on this, but I will let the conversation flow for a wee while to see if anyone touches on what I think might be part of the problem.

**OC Richard** · Yesterday, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Touchstone

It was Coco Chanel, I believe, who suggested you completely dress and accessorize for an occasion, then look in the mirror and remove (at least) one accessory.

A guy was going to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and in the process of working on his acceptance speech he reached out to an existing member for advice.

"Write your speech. Then cut it in half."

Oh if only all speech-givers followed that advice!

The trouble with Highland Dress is that there are so many accessories! A "fully accessorised" gent could look in the mirror and remove one, or two, or a half-dozen, and still be overdressed.

So...just how many traditional accessories might a gent wear? And how few?

Oddly the biggest contrasts both come from Victorian times.

I'll try to list all the accessories.

The gent on the left:

Jabot & cuff ruffles
Dirk belt with dirk
Sword belt with sword
Powder horn
Two Highland pistols
Sgian
Plaid & brooch
Flashes
Buckles on shoes

The gent on the right, listing things which are often seen today that he's not wearing:

No cap badge
No kilt pin
No garter flashes
No sgian
No belt peeking out from under waistcoat

**kiltedsawyer** · Yesterday, 11:58 AM

Jock, very interesting question. I am struck by two possible trains of thought for those kilt wearers outwith Scotland. They are:

1. I bought it, so I'm going to wear it.
2. More accessories make me feel more authentic.

The second item also speaks to "kilt as costume," in that it is not everyday wear for most outwith Scotland and as such more is more or in some cases more is way too much.

Cheers,

David