Where to get a high quality Ghillie Shirt (100% cotton)

[Jock Scot]

Informal? I suppose you can wear whatever you like. Personally, I always wear a dress shirt. But that's just my sense of style. Tattersall is an old English shirt pattern that looks good with a kilt, and might be popular in Scotland due to proximity and age. But, you'd need the Scots on this forum to confirm or deny that. I'm just speculating.

I think , hope even, that I have demonstrated in some small way, that you can now cease speculating!

[FossilHunter]

We have at least 2 threads going now that "cover" articles promoted as appropriate for wearing with a kilt that are roundly (and probably appropriately) dissed by contributors. One is this, about "Ghillie Shirts." My guess (pure guess—I have NO informed knowledge) is that modern buttonholes and drawstrings may not have coexisted with real Ghillies. In contrast, I suspect few of us maintain any romantic notions about Prince Charlie jackets existing back when Prince Charlie was attempting to motivate the clans, but clearly their use is widely accepted now—indeed, probably the standard—for formal events. MY question is about what to wear at decidedly INFORMAL events that would be respectful of recent Scottish history and custom, especially outdoors, when the temperatures are warm and the midges are biting. Certainly not a T-shirt emblazoned across the chest with "I went to Culloden, and all I got was this T-shirt."

Just what IS appropriate for covering one's upper body on those occasions? My guess is just an ordinary monochromatic button-front cotton shirt, or possibly even a collared and monochrome "rugby shirt," but I have no real idea.

I have similar thoughts about those "Ghillie" boots that appear as if they might have resulted from a pair of "high-end" business brogue shoes consorting with military fatigue boots, to the benefit of neither.

Some sort of casual button up shirt would be appropriate to wear with a kilt. Pullovers instead of jackets or less formal jackets.

One has to keep in mind the climate of Scotland. It’s often wet and cold, so to many in warmer climates, the Scots may appear overdressed for casual wear but the layering serves a practical purpose.

One of our resident Scots has shared photos of his own casual kilt outfits. On warmer days he wears tattersall shirts, no tie, and a panama hat. Simple and practical.

I’ve worn similar for my own warm climate. Checked button up shirt, no tie, Panama hat. My concession to climate is short sleeves as opposed to rolled up long sleeves since when it’s hot here, it’s hot the whole day. These days I tend to just save the kilt and other wool clothing for cooler months.

[Panache]

Everything has its time and place.

Sometimes the historically inaccurate but romantic look is just the right thing to wear.

Such as when you are the MC of a Burns Night where all the other gents are wearing a puffy pirate shirt (and they are very comfortable to dance in! )

Life is too short not to have have fun

Cheers

Jamie

[Jock Scot]

Hello Stranger! Great see your post......... even if you are incorrectly attired!

[OC Richard]

Everything has its time and place.

Sometimes the historically inaccurate but romantic look is just the right thing to wear.

...where all the other gents are wearing a puffy pirate shirt, and they are very comfortable to dance in!

For sure in my RSCDS days the pirate shirt & vest was not an uncommon look, especially for the Demonstration Team. It's cool and comfortable for dancing and makes a nice show on stage.

Since we're sharing puffy-shirt photos, in full disclosure, is this... piping for a Renaissance banquet.

[Jock Scot]

Since we're sharing puffy-shirt photos, in full disclosure, is this... piping for a Renaissance banquet.

Fair enough, but to my eye even when considering the event, the outfit looks artificial and unnecessarily theatrical, particularly as there are more genuine choices to be had. Sorry.

[OC Richard]

The outfit looks artificial and unnecessarily theatrical, particularly as there are more genuine choices to be had.

The waistcoat is definitely theatrical- I don't think there's any evidence of anything like that existing historically.

The shirt on the other hand is an authentic 18th century pattern.

Artificial indeed- with the Hollywood waistcoat, 18th century shirt, and ordinary modern kilt, sporran, and pipes it's a mashup.

I will say that it was the most suitable outfit for the occasion I could throw together. Wearing modern Highland Dress would have been completely out of sync with the event- nobody there was in modern clothing.

The most suitable outfit for me to wear at that event would have been this:



It's 17th century, far later than the Renaissance, however it's the earliest clear image we have of Highland Dress, and thus the only responsible starting-point for a Highland outfit of any earlier period.