Looks and why they work.

[Dale Seago]

This look works great for the heat in Texas. It is cool, comfortable, and i get a lot of compliments.

As a native son of that great State Which Shall Not Be Messed With, I concur.

The gaiters-over-combat boots look is a look I have always enjoyed, and people have told me that it really dresses up the look while giving it a sense of ruggedness.

I think the gaiters definitely "sharpen up" the whole look. Were it me, I'd prob'ly wear the sporran a bit higher; but overall, I think it's great!

As a 30 year veteran Scouter I enjoy wearing my kilts with my Scout uniform. Enough has been said about BSA policy regarding the Kilt and the Scout uniform. Suffice to say I seem to be very popular in my Uniform and my Kilt

Woof. Should you ever wish to send some of that popularity my way, please feel free!!

Oh gods, I hope my girlfriend doesn't see this post.

[JCheshire]

Ok here is another one.



Initially I look at overall balance and lines. In this photo the following all look good to my eye.

Sweater fit including sleeve and body length
Knee exposure including kilt and hose height
Sporran style and height

I especially like the bit of red collar showing.

I want to particularly mention the shoes. It gets quite hot where I live and I like the idea of sandals or river runners that hark back to historic ghillies.

Your picture wasn't taken in Carmichael, was it?

[McElmurry]

I reckon you're just being Helpful, Friendly, and Courteous.

Woof. Should you ever wish to send some of that popularity my way, please feel free!!

Oh gods, I hope my girlfriend doesn't see this post.

I think you best focus on Trustworthy and Loyal…and maybe a bit of Reverent for good measure.

[Faol]

And a lucky bastich you are for being able to!



Condescending?

I'm truly sorry if it came across that way, I'm not sure how or why that was.

Don't want to go on a rant here that would get me in trouble; but I'll say this for the record, hopefully only once, and solely for the sake of clarification:

I regard the ability to own and carry personal weapons of whatever sort one desires as a defining ("not sufficient but necessary") characteristic of a free human being. In the past I have been very socially and politically active, both openly and covertly, in accord with this view. People I have regarded as personal friends for many years include the likes of Don B. Kates Jr., an attorney who was highly instrumental in getting both of the major anti-self defense laws foisted on San Francisco (the first by someone who is now a US Senator) overturned as violative of the California Constitution. Just so's you know.

Thank you, and my sincerest apologies. I absolutely interpreted that incorrectly, as I tend to be overly sensitive on certain subjects. Again, please accept my apologies.

[McElmurry]

Your picture wasn't taken in Carmichael, was it?

Well first of all that isn't me. It was just a picture I liked that I was using to get things moving on this thread. It is a Xmarks member however, and a fellow Idahoan (I am a transplant to California). I don't have my first kilt yet cause I'm still waiting for some swatches.

So I am trying to deal with my jonesing by hanging out here.

[Faol]

Yes! That's where I want to go with one of my kilt purchases, maybe in DPM or woodland camo. Do you prefer the cargo pockets or will you be ordering any hidden side pockets in future kilts? What is the composition of the material you're using?

I am not familiar with the weight of the fabric, but I will ask the maker. She sent me a swatch of a faded woodland camo she has located, and it looks pretty good. The DPM is a pretty good camo overall, but I kind of like the subdued, non-military look of the Real Tree and Mossy Oak fabrics. I had thought about Multicam, but they really like that stuff and it shows in the price. We buy some of their fabric for a couple of products we carry, and it is cost prohibitive to experiment with...for me anyway.

I had not thought of any hidden pockets, but I prefer belt pouches over pockets, even on my trousers. I honestly have not tried to put anything in these pockets yet. That deerhide pouch is held by a "sporran belt" made from 550 cord, with an eye braided into it. I use that same braided line for my casual kilts, with the nylon Stillwater sporran.

[Shuteye]

***

I'd like to follow up on the modern kilt look. Once upon a time I made a pilgrimage to the Utilikilt flagship store in Seattle. I was wearing baggy jeans, skate shoes, a hoodie, and a ballcap, which I figured I should be able to swap a Utilikilt into without difficulty. Wrong! I looked like a dude in a skirt

Where did I go wrong? After some reflection and Google image searching, I've come to realize some things about the modern kilt aesthetic. The best accessories are the ones that symbolize toughness and/or manliness: facial hair, boots, muscles, tattoos, chains, leather, sunglasses, and dirt.

This is not to say that one can't wear a modern kilt in other ways. I'm sure a tee shirt and flip flops, for example, is very comfortable. But to my eye, the lack of traditional indexes pointing to Highland masculinity are a weak point that must be taken into account.

Look at Shuteye, in post #11. Facial hair and boots!

So I throw these pics out there for evaluation in hopes of changing your mind, CMcG. In the hot California central valley summers, I go about town dressed like this all summer and feel comfortable and "manly". I have to admit, I prefer UK's "original" as seen in these pics (vs the heavy "workman") with flip flops, not just for the light and cooler fabric, but for the visual balance. Note one pic has heavier Sperry topsider sandals, the other pics are my preferred light Reef flip flops. In 100+ heat I would feel overdressed, not to mention uncomfortable, in boots when everyone else is cruisin' around in shorts and sandals. On truly hot days, I'll lose the leather wrist brace also. A leather and etched stone pictish necklace from Scotland is year round though, either pony, owl, or raven depending on my mood

[The Thirsty Viking]

I think the gaiters definitely "sharpen up" the whole look. Were it me, I'd prob'ly wear the sporran a bit higher; but overall, I think it's great!

I agree with you. Those clips were what I had on hand, and are actually the belt clips for my Drinking horn, which i generally wear across the back. New ones are in the works for the sporran.

[Dale Seago]

So I throw these pics out there for evaluation in hopes of changing your mind, CMcG. In the hot California central valley summers, I go about town dressed like this all summer and feel comfortable and "manly".

Well, I'd agree were it not for that persistent glass of insipid grape juice in your hand instead of a proper whisky.

Though that IS a part of the whole California thing.

And I hope you realize I'm totally pulling your leg here. I think it's a great look!

[Dale Seago]

I agree with you. Those clips were what I had on hand, and are actually the belt clips for my Drinking horn, which i generally wear across the back. New ones are in the works for the sporran.

And speaking of the hornies, thanks for posting those pics in the other thread! Do you take commissions? I'm thinking somethin' with old Jormungandr twining around. . .