What Makes a Kilt Formal?

[Kent Frazier]

That distinctive texas drawl where each word leans against the next.

Now I'm really confused. Most people in Texas would not consider themselves "Yanks". Maybe we are thinking of the word in different contexts? For the record, I don't have a drawl, I'm not a native Texan, and I'm working hard to keep it that way.

[DTrain]

I believe that accessories are about 90% of the formal look. Obviously there are some kilts that cannot be "dressed up" to formal. Most, but not all, kilts will look great paired with a prince charlie and dress sporran. A handsewn, all-wool kilt even more so, but a more casual kilt will often pass muster.

Part of the issue not previously mentioned is the AUDIENCE present. If you were to go to a Burns Night with several knowlegdeable (and well dressed) kilties, a casual kilt would stand out more. If you were to go to an event where you were the only one kilted, then a casual kilt with formal accessories would be fine. I believe that 95% of people would never know the difference. Would it matter to you?

[Colin]

Part of the issue not previously mentioned is the AUDIENCE present. If you were to go to a Burns Night with several knowlegdeable (and well dressed) kilties, a casual kilt would stand out more. If you were to go to an event where you were the only one kilted, then a casual kilt with formal accessories would be fine. I believe that 95% of people would never know the difference. Would it matter to you?

I like to assume that everyone at any event will be knowledgable (I have been cornered a few times when I least expected it) and that I should do my best just in case they are. Assuming that no one will know that difference seems like a disservice to them and to me. Wear the best you have. No one can fault anyone for trying their best and if someone does fault you than it shows their ignorance.

It's like the parents that bought their kids the $2 "transmorphers" for Christmas and figured they were the same as the $10 transformer. The kids always knew

[ccga3359]

It's like the parents that bought their kids the $2 "transmorphers" for Christmas and figured they were the same as the $10 transformer. The kids always knew

I'm sorry that you got a transmorpher for Christmas. I share your pain. When I first came to Canada every kid wore Levi's. Everyone ecept that homely little English kid with the sticky out ears and crooked teeth. I begged and and pleaded to be allowed to wear jeans and not just any jeans but Levi's. Well my mum, who worked at the Bi-way relented and picked up a pair for me. Chinese made, elastic waistbanded Golden Horse jeans. I got beaten up at school a lot more after that...

[Colin]

I'm sorry that you got a transmorpher for Christmas. I share your pain. When I first came to Canada every kid wore Levi's. Everyone ecept that homely little English kid with the sticky out ears and crooked teeth. I begged and and pleaded to be allowed to wear jeans and not just any jeans but Levi's. Well my mum, who worked at the Bi-way relented and picked up a pair for me. Chinese made, elastic waistbanded Golden Horse jeans. I got beaten up at school a lot more after that...

I feel for you Grant. All I wanted were adidas and all I got were the zellers brand with 5 stripes.Funny that now as a parent I buy my kids non name brand (they grow too fast) , but certainly pay top dollar for what I want

[Raphael]

I'm sorry that you got a transmorpher for Christmas. I share your pain. When I first came to Canada every kid wore Levi's. Everyone except that homely little English kid with the sticky out ears and crooked teeth. I begged and and pleaded to be allowed to wear jeans and not just any jeans but Levi's. Well my mum, who worked at the Bi-way relented and picked up a pair for me. Chinese made, elastic waistbanded Golden Horse jeans. I got beaten up at school a lot more after that...

Levi's are overrated. I love my jeans from Costco.

[Macman]

I love my jeans from Costco.

Me too! (from one who also had to wear bargain pants with an elastic waist as a boy, but has gotten over the trauma by now wearing kilts).

[Chef]

It's definitely both. A proper hand-sewn kilt is obviously perfect for any degree of formal and it works well with most casual outfits. It does not however do extremely casual very well. In as much as a really good pair of tailored slacks doesn't either. You can only dress them down so much before they start to look out of place. I think the main reason is the tailoring. Any item that is properly tailored will have a certain formality to it no matter what you wear with it.

On the other end are Utilikits and similar garments. No matter what you do they can only look so formal just as jeans can only look so formal.

For some of the traditionally styled casual kilts I agree that where the waist falls makes a huge difference as to whether it can be used for formal wear or not.

Would you wear a pair of jeans and consider yourself formal? No. But is there any real difference between the cut of a pair of jeans and the cut of a pair of formal pants? No..

That's like saying a Tank and a Utilikilt are cut the same James.

I like to assume that everyone at any event will be knowledgable (I have been cornered a few times when I least expected it) and that I should do my best just in case they are. Assuming that no one will know that difference seems like a disservice to them and to me. Wear the best you have. No one can fault anyone for trying their best and if someone does fault you than it shows their ignorance.

Colin I absolutely agree. I have heard many times (including on this forum), "They won't know the difference" and it really bothers me. Personally I would rather see someone go rent a tux than wear a kilt badly for a formal event.

But would someone be wrong if they had a utilikilt made from really nice fabric and then wore it with a PC?

Well I think the cut is the problem. Jeans, even if made with black worsted wool would still look silly with an evening jacket.

so too people should refrain from wearing a Sport Kilt to a Burns Night. I really think you have to draw the line somewhere.

Absolutely!

[creativeaccents]

With the considerable influx of folks from the north into Atlanta, I tend to think in terms of people from the north as northerners, while reserving the still derisive term "Yankee" for those who move to the south while constantly criticizing all things southern and referring to everything of and from the north as somehow inherently superior.

[James MacMillan]

With the considerable influx of folks from the north into Atlanta, I tend to think in terms of people from the north as northerners, while reserving the still derisive term "Yankee" for those who move to the south while constantly criticizing all things southern and referring to everything of and from the north as somehow inherently superior.

Here in California (and everywhere that I have ever lived for that matter) - I tend to call those people As Hoes..........