Around here on the south cost of England there are a fair few kilt wearers - as opposed to people who don a kilt from time to time. Around half of them wear the Cornish black kilt, the rest have various tartans, tweeds and solid colours, blue, green or tan, and a few in natural colours of sheep - usually hand woven for them.
In summer the usual accessories are sandals, tee shirt with either long or short sleeves and a broad brimmed hat. A shoulder bag or backpack holds swimming gear, water bottle and wallet.
In bad weather the footwear alters to something waterproof, or boots and hose, a knitted jersey might be added - often worn tucked into the kilt. Lightweight cloaks are fairly common - waterproof and several inches longer than kilt length with a shoulder cape which is flipped up over the head if the rain is heavy.
Over the last decade kilts have become far more common, and seem to be accepted as a perfectly normal option. There are places where shorts would not be acceptable, particularly later in the day, but a kilt is fine.
The temperatures here are mild, it is unusual to see anyone at all in a jacket - I suspect most men leave their jackets at the office to wear for business meetings, to judge by the wear patterns on the trousers and the almost pristine matching jacket.
Once in a while I notice a man entering one of the more up market venues kilted in tartan, but they are going to be air conditioned and so jacket and waistcoat is not going to be too much - Though quite a few have approached the place carrying rather than wearing their jackets, both with Scottish or Saxon attire. The guardians at the portals frown on those trying to enter without putting on the jacket, but I can't imagine that they'd allow anyone to pass inside without a shirt and a tie is de rigueur for other than clergy.
Anne the Pleater
I presume to dictate to no man what he shall eat or drink or wherewithal he shall be clothed."
-- The Hon. Stuart Ruaidri Erskine, The Kilt & How to Wear It, 1901.
Bookmarks