1 Kilt 10 Looks : A Visual Guide to Formality in Highland Attire

**Mark's Mom** · 18th January 11, 11:31 PM

Thank you so much! These photos are very helpful to a newbie like me. Are the diced hose always best in red and white? I saw a red and green pair that I was considering buying for Mark's formal attire. Checks and plaid are not something I would normally consider putting together, but I see that it is frequently done with a kilt. I know Mark would love the white tie look with the jabot and cuff lace!

**Whidbey78** · 18th January 11, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Mark's Mom

Thank you so much! These photos are very helpful to a newbie like me. Are the diced hose always best in red and white? I saw a red and green pair that I was considering buying for Mark's formal attire. Checks and plaid are not something I would normally consider putting together, but I see that it is frequently done with a kilt. I know Mark would love the white tie look with the jabot and cuff lace!

There are many different designs, and while red and white is popular, to say it is best would be misleading. What IS best is to like what you wear. It doesn't have to match the tartan, but that is always an option. It's not necessary to wear diced hose at that level of dress, but it is generally done that way, and to most folks looks good.

Highland dress is much more "free" in terms of variety and personal taste than is often seen in the formal wear we are used to seeing here in the states. Even that style does leave a lot of room for personal expression, but since the majority of formal clothing (white tie) here is rental, the belief is that it "must be done this way." The same idea appears in highland dress as well, with the rental outlets giving the impression that it must be a black bowtie, Prince Charlie jacket, white hose and ghillie brogues. While this is a safe way to go about it, there are many many options, and one can express his individuality and personal tastes very well in Highland dress. The tuxedos and suits we are used to seeing here are very cookie-cutter. Even the places where personal taste can be shown, such as ties and cumberbuns, it's usually matched up with the lady's dress.

I often joke that Highland dress is more in tune with nature--the male gets to show off his plumage. I'm not the first to say something like that. That is not to say that the lady is overshadowed. Far from it. But there is no reason that the man should look exactly like every other man at the ball, except for a few splashes of color that match his date.

This thread is an excellent example of how to wear a kilt at different levels of dress. There are many other excellent examples as well in other threads.

I'm glad you are taking the time to research this instead of looking at a rental outfit and assuming that that's how it must be done. I wish I had spent some more time researching before my wedding. I look at those pictures and feel as though my wife and I were both modeling for a kilt rental shop and a David's Bridal. Thankfully, unlike a senior prom, we can have a bit of a "do-over" and plan to renew our vows at the same place next year!

Best of luck to you, and I hope your son gets to attend his prom kilted. You are in the right place to find good examples of how to wear it.

**OC Richard** · 31st January 11, 05:02 AM

I just yesterday scanned some old photos from the 1980s. I noticed that I'm wearing the same kilt (MacDonald Muted from House Of Edgar), so they're suitable to show here.

Here's a photo done for a Highland Outfitter to demonstrate Day Dress. The jacket is a wonderful Harris Tweed bought by a friend's father in the 1940s, which happened to fit me.

And here's my wedding photo.

**pastordan** · 27th June 13, 08:10 PM

Thank you for putting this together, I can now wear my kilt with confidence at my first Highland games this weekend.

**Hopper250** · 1st July 13, 08:30 AM

This is great. I'd love to see other members pics as well.

**DScottHunter** · 3rd July 13, 10:41 AM

This is very helpful. Thanks.

**Angela Kaye Bodine** · 15th September 14, 06:01 AM

McMurdo, love all of them.. u look very handsome

**Rob Wright** · 20th March 09, 09:03 PM

As if you two were not already the envy of most of the posters here, you go and step it up even more. what more can be said but bravo!

Rob

**bricelythgoe** · 20th March 09, 09:13 PM

Very interesting... I can't say I agree with everything (especially what you consider day wear), but it is a good frame of reference. Thanks for taking the time to put that together.

Brice

**Cyd** · 7th March 15, 08:09 PM

I am in agreement with Brice. Particularly in sporran choice, the oval cantel is a little too formal for day wear and even wedding guests (for the wedding party it would be fine) for my tastes. But reasonable people can disagree about such things.

Overall your hard work is a wonderful guide and the two of you look great! Thanks for all the hard work!