Highlanders Discuss Highland Attire

**guitarmatt** · 12th March 10, 07:47 AM

I've been encouraged in this thread by the Scottish make-due-with-what-you-have attitude. I think contemporary culture, both British and American, encourages us to buy, buy, buy whenever possible. My tartan kilt is rather cheap, and I was feeling pretty self conscious about that for a while, but this thread has encouraged me to do the best with it I can. With that said, I'd like to look nice in my kilt without spending an arm and a leg. As an alternative to a new tweed jacket and waistcoat, do you think it would work to wear just a nice tweed waistcoat, giving the impression of having just ditched my jacket for comfort? I'm thinking of a collared waistcoat such as this one from Walker Slater in Edinburgh. I realize it's not exactly traditional Highland style, but perhaps it would be accepted as a sort of natural evolution? I'd probably be wearing variations of this outfit to events around Edinburgh in July: my wife's graduation from the vet school, the Royal Highland show, dinner with friends and family, etc. Thoughts?

**Jock Scot** · 12th March 10, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by guitarmatt

I've been encouraged in this thread by the Scottish make-due-with-what-you-have attitude. I think contemporary culture, both British and American, encourages us to buy, buy, buy whenever possible. My tartan kilt is rather cheap, and I was feeling pretty self conscious about that for a while, but this thread has encouraged me to do the best with it I can. With that said, I'd like to look nice in my kilt without spending an arm and a leg. As an alternative to a new tweed jacket and waistcoat, do you think it would work to wear just a nice tweed waistcoat, giving the impression of having just ditched my jacket for comfort? I'm thinking of a collared waistcoat such as this one from Walker Slater in Edinburgh. I realize it's not exactly traditional Highland style, but perhaps it would be accepted as a sort of natural evolution? I'd probably be wearing variations of this outfit to events around Edinburgh in July: my wife's graduation from the vet school, the Royal Highland show, dinner with friends and family, etc. Thoughts?

I understand that your wife is studying at the Royal(Dick)? What a wonderful place. If it were me and your budget is limited, not surprising with the young one(s) and all that, then the most versatile (don't forget our unreliable weather!) purchase would be a tweed day jacket and not a waistcoat. If you want to wear just a waist coat then one, that style will be fine. Might see you at the Royal Highland then?

**mull** · 12th March 10, 09:00 AM

So Jock, here is what I have taken away from this thread (and some others that seem related).

1. Most importantly, wear the kilt at the top of the knee.

2. A day jacket will do for every event I will be invited to attend.
Also, the saxon jacket I have cut down no longer looks right to me after seeing all of the pics in this thread and I will need to order a proper replacement.

3.Think understated, not flashy.

I am now disillusioned of the romantic past, however still find the pictures inspirational.

Thanks to all the shared here,
Joe

**guitarmatt** · 12th March 10, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I understand that your wife is studying at the Royal(Dick)? What a wonderful place. If it were me and your budget is limited, not surprising with the young one(s) and all that, then the most versatile (don't forget our unreliable weather!) purchase would be a tweed day jacket and not a waistcoat. If you want to wear just a waist coat then one, that style will be fine. Might see you at the Royal Highland then?

Yes, she's just finishing at the Dick Vet. Unfortunately it looks like work may take us back to California for a year long internship, but that's only a year, right? I've been thinking of a waitcoat as it would be more versatile to wear with the rest of my wardrobe aside from kilts (shock horror, I know.)

Keep an eye out for me at the show, I've got a tall red headed wife and a short blonde 2yo son, and I'll likely be wearing my Lyndsay kilt since it doesn't seem like I'll convince my wife we can shell out for a handmade in Huntly, which would be more appropriate to my Scottish ancestry.

**Jordan** · 13th March 10, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by guitarmatt

Keep an eye out for me at the show, I've got a tall red headed wife and a short blonde 2yo son, and I'll likely be wearing my Lyndsay kilt since it doesn't seem like I'll convince my wife we can shell out for a handmade in Huntly, which would be more appropriate to my Scottish ancestry.

When are you coming up to my neck of the woods, and do you fancy a drink in my little hometown? It’s not much but with 8 pubs it’s all we’ve got

Jordan

**auld argonian** · 13th March 10, 05:07 PM

I won't lengthen the thread by quoting CMcG and Brian K...but nice insight.

It's sort of what I tell my kids (now both mostly grown); be sure that it looks like you're wearing the clothes and not like the clothes are wearing you.

Best

AA

**QMcK** · 13th March 10, 06:13 PM

In Soviet Russia, clothes wear you!

**QMcK** · 13th March 10, 06:21 PM

Thanks, wildrover, for that post. That's is what I have felt for a while and what has been annoying me for a while.

Trousers is not a four letter word (although pants is a five letter word (but that refers to underwear and woman's pants)) and can look good too - as good as a kilt. (An exception would probably be jeans). Bifurcated garments won't kill you, and if you find them as uncomfortable as some people on here say they do, you need to get a different cut.

As an aside, I don't think of jeans as trousers - they're jeans. I suppose that's a bit odd, though.

**guitarmatt** · 14th March 10, 12:21 AM

Originally Posted by Jordan

When are you coming up to my neck of the woods, and do you fancy a drink in my little hometown? It’s not much but with 8 pubs it’s all we’ve got

Jordan

I may be up (generally) your way for the Forres games on 10 July. Near as I can tell, my Scottish ancestors emigrated from Forres around 1800. I'll let you know if we make plans.

**OC Richard** · 14th March 10, 05:17 AM

Just a couple photos of native Highlanders, pipers, in the 1950's, showing their dress.

Competitors gathered at Oban, 1950. Note the rather plain Highland dress, though it looks like three of the pipers are wearing fur sporrans:

Archie MacPhedran, accomplished piper and pipemaker, born in Glasgow of Highland parents in the 1880's. Note the strong pattern of the jacket, the diced hose and bonnet. This mixing of multiple clashing plaid items is usually a no-no in ordinary fashion but very common in old Highland dress: