Kilt Suit Questions

[McMurdo]

Here is Hamish's thread on a TFCK kilt suit.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/k...141/index.html

Personally I love Howie's Kilt Suit, and will have one in my wardrobe one day. Wearing a Suit Jacket and Kilt just does not do it for me. For one the Suit Jacket is too long. The modern kilt jackets like what TFCK are doing are much better in my opinion.

[Bugbear]

There is a nice little current building (has been for the past few years) as guys start wanting to wear a nice blazer or sport coat with their kilts but don't want to wear the gauntlet cuffs and epaulets typically seen on Argyle, bramar and other traditional kilt coats.

Many, like myself, have taken a nice sport coat to a local alteration shop and had it modified into a kilt coat. Relatively inexpensive option considering actual kilt coats can run $300+.

To answer your question, I don't think standard suit coats look right with a kilt. They are too long and without the sporran and cutaway the front of the outfit is visually unbalanced and out of proportion. Again, this is just to my eye.

Howies kilt suits are one of my favorite outfits and if I had the coin, I'd definitely get one.

Considering how easy it is to find a nice jacket at a thrift store, or maybe there is already one in the closet not being worn, and take it to a tailor for modifications, having a nice semi-formal kilt coat is within everyones budget.

Even that coat that is juuuuuuuust a bit too small now can be modified into a kilt coat since typically you don't wear a kilt coat buttoned and they are supposed to be a bit more fitted. As long as it's not pulling across the shoulders it should look pretty good at a fraction of the cost.

If you have the means to buy new, check out Freedom Kilts and The Scottish Tartans Museum for these modern style coats.

The sport to kilt jacket is the way I have gone. I continue to experiment with ways to adjust the jackets, from the back/sides, to fit more like a kilt jacket. I also comb through the Good Will type stores for jackets too, and have found quite a few good quality jackets, as well as, suits all for next to nothing. This, of course, takes a great deal of hunting, inspecting, and checking labels, but there are some gems out there.

[cessna152towser]

An exsiting suit jacket would be too long but you could have it shortened so that it would look right with the kilt, I believe a few of our members have done this in the past.
I have often worn a black Argyle jacket with a black kilt both as a business suit for office work and with a lawyer's robe for working in court.

[Tribal]

I'm 100% against wearing a kilt without a sporran in daily wear. You need a short jacket and a sporran for things to look right. A long jacket, combined with the high waist of a kilt, has too much cross-over in my opinion and looks weird (and like a ladies' suit).

I'm also against wearing a kilt that matches the jacket, mostly because I think kilts worn with vests or jackets should be tartan (or, if appropriate, saffron), at least in North America.

These are just my views, though, so you can take them for what you paid for them.

[gilmore]

I have a pin stripped kilt with matching jacket and vest/waist coat from Clann Croix that i will be selling soon. I am downsizing, and also the jacket is a bit large for me, at something like 48 American inches in the chest, as I recall. It could easily be taken in, but I haven't worn it other than to try it on.

I will post in the For Sale forum in the not too distant future. Or is some one wants it sooner, please PM me.

[JSFMACLJR]

I'm also against wearing a kilt that matches the jacket, mostly because I think kilts worn with vests or jackets should be tartan (or, if appropriate, saffron), at least in North America.

These are just my views, though, so you can take them for what you paid for them.

And what about jackets made of tartan to match the kilt? Very traditional.

[Bugbear]

Oh... I had to read Tribal's post a few times. I think he is talking about solid color kilts matching a solid color jacket, or tweed kilt and matching jacket.

I kept thinking a tartan jacket and waistcoat could match a tartan kilt; the same tartan of course. Don't forget the tartan hose!

[gilmore]

Oh... I had to read Tribal's post a few times. I think he is talking about solid color kilts matching a solid color jacket, or tweed kilt and matching jacket.

I kept thinking a tartan jacket and waistcoat could match a tartan kilt; the same tartan of course. Don't forget the tartan hose!

Or the tartan flashes, fly plaid, glengarry, and underwear.

Did I omit something?

Are there tartan contact lenses?

[Bugbear]

Or the tartan flashes, fly plaid, glengarry, and underwear.

Did I omit something?

Are there tartan contact lenses?

Yes, you forgot the tartan tie and tartan shirt, as well as, the tartan bonnet flash and tartan cufflinks.

Was it ever decided if tartan neck ties are a taboo?

[Tribal]

And what about jackets made of tartan to match the kilt? Very traditional.
Reply With Quote

I think he is talking about solid color kilts matching a solid color jacket, or tweed kilt and matching jacket.

I'm certainly not one to knock tradition, but my understanding of what the author is looking for is business attire. As natty as an all-tartan suit could look, it would almost necessarily be too loud for business wear, and even the few patterns that aren't are likely to still be distracting. Some sort of muted/ancient/weathered version of the tartan might be best, too.

I think it's a fine line, at least in the context of business attire in North America. You're looking for something that makes you feel confident while also making the other person see you as a professional, with each of these being too important to neglect entirely. As proper as it may be, I think you're likely to take a hit in how other people see you if you wear a kilt, at least in general and at least initially.

My opinion is that the best solution is to "draw the sting." By that, I mean wearing something that immediately catches their attention but then registers as something they can identify and thus move on. Have a sporran (a relatively subdued semi-formal one, in my opinion), flashes, and all the other proper gear (other than perhaps a sgian dubh). I think matching non-tartan patterns fail to do this, as well as looking like skirt-suits. Your average person is probably vaguely aware then men wear tartan kilts, but I think that unless you've got a Prince Charlie or Jacobite shirt, non-tartan is too far.

I'd have similar advice for someone who wanted to wear traditional Kenyan, Mandarin, or American Western clothing. It's certainly your right to go kilted, and it may be unfair that others judge you based on your looks, but in business you have a responsibility to present yourself as best as possible.

Again, just my thoughts.