What Makes a Kilt Formal?

[Tattoo Bradley]

I agree with what Colin said. However, if you have the kilt made to not be a "hipster" style, I think dressing it up is doable. I've had all 3 of my USAK casuals made to be worn high instead of the hips. I've paired them with my tweed Argyll and felt they looked pretty good.



Though... I don't have any excuse for why my flashes are SO long.

[Colin]

I agree with what Colin said. However, if you have the kilt made to not be a "hipster" style, I think dressing it up is doable. I've had all 3 of my USAK casuals made to be worn high instead of the hips. I've paired them with my tweed Argyll and felt they looked pretty good.

Very true. I am sure the semi-formals look great too.I still think a kilt needs to have a formal cut to have the diversity. And as Raptor said some kilts are just meant to be casual kilts.

[Makeitstop]

Very true. I am sure the semi-formals look great too.I still think a kilt needs to have a formal cut to have the diversity. And as Raptor said some kilts are just meant to be casual kilts.

Yes, but some can be made to look formal. Because my sportkilt is solid black, it can actually look quite formal with the right outfit. It won't be the traditional outfit, but still formal nonetheless.

[McMurdo]

Yes, but some can be made to look formal. Because my sportkilt is solid black, it can actually look quite formal with the right outfit. It won't be the traditional outfit, but still formal nonetheless.

This I really have to disagree with, call me a snob if you want to, but a Sport Kilt is not a formal kilt. Just as Highland Games competitors for the most part will not compete in a 16oz 8 yard hand stitched kilt, so too people should refrain from wearing a Sport Kilt to a Burns Night. I really think you have to draw the line somewhere.

[ccga3359]

This I really have to disagree with, call me a snob if you want to, but a Sport Kilt is not a formal kilt. Just as Highland Games competitors for the most part will not compete in a 16oz 8 yard hand stitched kilt, so too people should refrain from wearing a Sport Kilt to a Burns Night. I really think you have to draw the line somewhere.

If I recall we did have a Sport Kilt at the last SOKS formal dinner at the Scottish Rite club. Now I'm not about to point out the "offender" second on the left. ScoutNiagara wore it to make a point. There may be a difference between a 5 yard casual in PV or an 10 oz 8 yard hand-sewn 'tank'. I also think that you can wear the 'lesser' of the kilt to most formal occasions. To me it's the accesories that make the kilt formal more so than the kilt (contemporary kilt excepted). Now looking at the above photo (see posted below) I washed out on my formal look and will be approaching our Burns supper with a renewed vigor (and look). I'll also add that attitude can also make the more formal look such as extending pinkie finger whilst slurping tea. Mind you I do that when I'm chugging beer (It's the English way after all ).

[Rampant Lion]

If you're speaking of traditional kilts(what I believe most people think of when they refer to a kilt), then it's just the accessories that change the formality. However, if we take into account casual(less material, lower rise), and utility type kilts, then yes; the cut of the goes a long way in determining how formal you can make it.

Though... I don't have any excuse for why my flashes are SO long.

Your flashes aren't that long. Part of what makes the flashes look long or short is the width of the cuffs of your hose. I try to make my cuffs at least 3 fingers wide for two reasons: To cover up the flashes and it looks better with my long skinny legs. I think your flashes look fine.