One for the native Scots

[TheOfficialBren]

Don't know what you have got against the Mail and the Telegraph, they are as useful as any other paper when you are caught short in the loo. I think bigoted and sensationalist are adjectives which apply to almost all news papers; I have not bought one for some years.

Precisely! And if Fox and CNN were in print media I could laugh at the funny, short-sighted, ignorant vitriol...and then put their drivel to its intended use. Lol.

Good one, mate!

[Lime]

I've certainly never had anything more than polite interest when wearing the kilt to a wedding in England and I've rarely been the only one kilted (which is probably a result of having Scottish family and friends so inevitably being invited to weddings where there is, at least, a Scottish connection).

I would never even think of asking the Bride and Groom what they wanted me to wear if I am a "mere" guest (unless there is a stipulation in the invitation which needs clarification or some confusion over the level of formality expected): i.e. "Do I need to dust off the old spongebag trousers and topper for this little shindig?" not "would you mind terribly if I wore my kilt?".

That said I probably wouldn't wear the kilt if I didn't really know them that well... and probably would politely decline the invitation unless there was some compelling reason that it had to be accepted (ie. such and such hotel does a stonking prawn cocktail in a glass/trio of melon starter/fruits of the forest gateau)!

I would just dress appropriately according to all of the information at my disposal but this applies whether kilted or not.

[RGRatSea]

I have to say that I am with David on this issue. I wear my kilts whenever I can and see any semi-formal and above a fine reason to trot the tartan. In fact I am concerned by the amount of trepidation related to the decision to wear or not. For me - the choice is obvious. I didn't spend all that money for a kilt that will outlive me just to hang it in the closet as moth food.

When in St. James park, London, and kilted I was hailed by a group of Scots in trousers. "Do you always wear your kilt?" They asked. "As often as I can." Says I. "Do you wear it proudly?" They asked. "I do indeed." I said. They nodded thoughtfully. "Good." We shook hands and parted amicably.

[English Bloke]

Somebody once told me ...

Phil, Rest assured, neither of those papers, or their vociferous and unsavoury readers comments, represent the way I view the world.

[English Bloke]

... We shook hands and parted amicably...

Which is as it should be. Nicely put.

[HarveyH]

I have to say I've been a bit shocked by some of the comments in this thread. I live in London and I wear a kilt to most formal events I attend. I have never received some of the unpleasant comments people have mentioned.

Weddings are usually daytime events in England (by law) and day wear would be appropriate. So I would normally wear a grey or tweed jacket with my kilt. Not for me a black jacket with silver buttons which is formal evening wear in the UK although many are seen at weddings.

Morning Dress might be worn if it is a formal wedding in England but this is becoming rare except at "society" weddings. Even then a Kilt would be perfectly acceptable formal dress.

There is a slight cultural difference, in the UK unless you were part of the very immediate family or part of the Groom's party (best man and ushers) then you would wear what you want, suit or sports jacket. So a kilt and jacket can end up looking very smart and more than acceptable dress.

(Just a post script - in case "Morning Dress" is not clear I have found a link to morning dress on the site of a very well known uk retailer http://www.marksandspencer.com/Sarto...140121221533:s )

[Blueline72]

Thanks for the link. I have heard about Morning dress but not what all it entailed.

[MacRobert's Reply]

The Scottish highland equivalent of morning dress is the black silver-buttoned Argyll jacket: http://www.highlandclans.co.uk/Argyl...lt_Jacket.html

[Jock Scot]

The Scottish highland equivalent of morning dress is the black silver-buttoned Argyll jacket: http://www.highlandclans.co.uk/Argyl...lt_Jacket.html

Exactly so, MacRobert.

I can and do wear morning dress(tails) in England and Scotland and in fact until recently I would hazzard a guess that in the lowlands of Scotland morning dress weddings were at least as common as kilted ones. Outwith Scotland I personally only wear the kilt to weddings (or anything else) by specific request for very special people and I would, in the normal course of events, never even consider doing so, however, on a rare event I might consider doing so.

On the few occassions that I have ventured South with the kilt in my adult life, I must say that I have only had polite interest expressed and have never encountered the comments that Phil has had and that is not something that I can say about certain parts of Scotland! In the end though, when and where one wears the kilt is entirely a decision for an individual to make, but like the OP has done, it is wise to do some research first.

[Calgacus]

So much for the black barathea silver buttoned argyll being 'versatile' then, if it is only correct to wear it at daytime weddings and the odd horse race.