In Mourning?

[DWFII]

I'm curious as to what folks here...especially the 'traditionalists'...would wear to a funeral? It strikes me that a brightly coloured (aren't they all?) kilt might be considered a tad inappropriate.

[csbdr]

Quite a few that aren't, I think. what about Black Watch? or black shadow tartan? Paired with a dark charcoal or black jacket and it would look suitably somber.

I'm curious as to what folks here...especially the 'traditionalists'...would wear to a funeral? It strikes me that a brightly coloured (aren't they all?) kilt might be considered a tad inappropriate.

[McMurdo]

I was unfortunately recently at a funeral, I wore my Grey Braemar Jacket and Waistcoat with my Clan Tartan (Graham of Menteith) as it is predominantly green I wore a dark green tie with green hose, and flashes with a sgian dubh and a day wear leather sporran. Basically something like this, but with the clan tartan and different flashes:

[slohairt]

I, too, wore my Graham of Menteith kilt to a funeral I went to a few months ago. It's a good sombre tartan. Grey-based tartans like Highland Granite would be a good choice too.

[DWFII]

Aye, I know there are dark tartans...I even own a grey and black kilt...but what do you do if you're name is McLeod? Or your only...or 'best'...kilt is an IOS?

BTW, you do look suitably dressed McMurdo...

PS...kind of on a side note but just as importantly...is A funeral a formal event? a semi-formal event or as McMurdo indicates basically daywear?

[Jock Scot]

I am sorry you are having the need for this conversation. I wear my tartan kilt, tweed argyll, waistcoat, white shirt, black tie(not a bow), black polished brogues, black sporran and usually dark green hose(sometimes maroon) with dark blue flashes. I am usually bareheaded, but if the weather is grim, then I wear my balmoral(duck egg green) and an Inverness cape. If you go to the Clan MacLeod website you will find pictures of the funeral of the late Chief John MacLeod. A funeral as traditional as you can get. You will see all sorts of clothing and kilt attire worn and it is all perfectly acceptable. Never ever evening dress wear though. If you have a bright tartan and it is your family tartan, then you wear it with pride-----just like the MacLeods.

[slohairt]

Good question! How about this:http://www.tartansauthority.com/Web/site/cart2.asp

I would say a daywear type outfit is most appropriate with low-key accessories.

[McMurdo]

I am sorry you are having the need for this conversation. I wear my tartan kilt, tweed argyll, waistcoat, white shirt, black tie(not a bow), black polished brogues, black sporran and usually dark green hose(sometimes maroon) with dark blue flashes. I am usually bareheaded, but if the weather is grim, then I wear my balmoral(duck egg green) and an Inverness cape. If you go to the Clan MacLeod website you will find pictures of the funeral of the late Chief John MacLeod. A funeral as traditional as you can get. You will see all sorts of clothing and kilt attire worn and it is ALL perfectly acceptable.

Spot on Jock
I feel you can never go wrong wearing your clan tartan, be it the Graham as mentioned or even dare I say it McLeod of Lewis, if it is your tartan, wear it proudly. I'd also like to say that at the funeral I went to not long ago as it was still winter in Canada, I wore my Inverness Cape, though I did go bareheaded, if it were very bad I'd have worn my Balmoral though it was not that bad. It was a funeral for an ex-coworker's wife who was from Glasgow, her family though not highlanders were all very happy to see the kilt.

[vmac3205]

Actually, from what I have observed people showing up to funerals wearing in the past few years, ANY tartan with dress shirt and jacket would be a vast improvement. I don't know what has happened, but at least on the west coast, many people think blue jeans and sweatshirts is appropriate funeral wear, and I have seen women in jeans and those little tops that don't quite cover all the fat rolls at the waist. I must be a conservative old Crone. So good gentlefolk, wear with pride any tartan kilt you have. Just don't wear it with a muscle shirt.

[EagleJCS]

Vmac, you're not the only "conservative old crone" on here - and I'm not that old!

Whenever I go to funerals, I wear my best suit. Sometimes, if I'm going to the visitation and the funeral, I'll wear sportcoat, slacks & tie to the visitation, then my suit to the funeral service itself. It's nothing less than showing respect for the deceased and for the family.

I haven't had occasion to wear my kilt, etc. to a funeral where I was simply an attendee. I have piped for a couple of Scout leader funerals, and I wore my Scout uniform shirt with my kilt.