An evening with the Peatbog Faeries and a day out in York.

[CMcG]

CMcG:- Yes, valid comment and exactly the kind of contribution needed in this section of the site. It's good to point out mistakes so that others may avoid a repeat performance. It may be a modern approach but we can still learn from each other. I appreciate your considerations but in my mate's defence, Doublewood has lost a bit of weight recently and had to take his kilt belt in three notches. At one point on our wander he had to take it in another notch as he almost found his kilt round his ankles. (He needs his buckles adjusting back to their original position). For this reason I'd forgive him his sporran being a bit droopy and his kilt being a bit low, I think it was the least of his worries. You have a good eye though and you're right, it can spoil an otherwise well thought out, non-traditional look. It wasn't so noticable "on the day" I assure you, probably because we were moving about rather than being viewed as a captured static image. I know what you mean though I shall brief him and get him to adjust his kilt back to a better fit...

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English Bloke, congrats to your mate for losing some weight! Of course, weight gain (or loss) can prove to be quite a bother for kilties... you could mention to him about moving the buckles/straps or you could just encourage him to drink more beer

I'd like to point out something else about our two intrepid modernist kilt wearers. Given the non-traditional look they are both going with, I think matching leathers was a good choice. In traditional Highland attire, un-matched leather (also patterns and/or colours of everything else) is quite acceptable. In other sartorial sensibilities, however, colour coordination tends to help pull a look together. English Bloke matched his leathers to each other (shoes, sporran, belt) and also the colours of his overall outfit cohesively, but without overdoing it.

Now I've mentioned something that sounds a bit like a rule. In wearing the kilt as everyday clothing, I think one tends to pull towards the general conventions of one's location. This is quite acceptable but not a formal requirement. Had English Bloke and Doublewood been going for an all-black goth look, they would have been dressed quite differently and that would have been their own prerogative!

When it comes to modernist kilt wearing, I'm all for individualism and freedom from rules. It is nonetheless very difficult to dress completely unique unless one runs in avant garde fashion circles. As a style choice then, everyday clothing is relatively free but is still informed by social conventions.

English Bloke, I appreciate your efforts in posting pics and also your choices in everyday kilt wear. I hope you don't mind my chatter and that this still serves the purpose of the recently re-clarified Modern Kilt Wear sub-forum.