Footwear in a daily setting with the kilt

[ForresterModern]

I spent 10 days last spring tramping around Edinburgh and the central Highlands, 9 of them kilted. I wore formal kilt hose and flashes any time I had the kilt on, some dressier than others, and for most of the time wore a pair of Merrell hiking shoes in a solid brown color that were comfortable and subtle at the same time. For the three occasions where we had dress up opportunities I wore either my Argyle coat and waistcoat or an Argyle tweed outfit, and on those days I wore my black ghillie brogues to complete the outfit. Never a comfort issue with the ghillies. Since returning I have acquired a tan pair of ghillie brogues that I would prbably wear now at least part of the time for more casual but still dressed up events. We attended the Strathmore Highland Games in Forfar at Glamis Castle kilted with proper hose and the merrells, and with the exception of the pipe bands and judges did not stick out from the crowd, as long as we kept our mouths shut (american accents at a classic scottish venue tend to turn heads at quite a distance).

But I would highly recommend wearing formal kilt hose and flashes anytime you are in your tartan kilt, and be prepared for some looks if you wear a contemporary kilt of any kind---they are just not used to seeing them and will likely look in wonderment at how their national dress (although rarely worn even by the nationals) has been "altered' (I heard one local describe it as being slaughtered when he saw someone else wearing what I believe ws a utilikilt).

[Jordan]

ForresterModern

Just out of curiousity where about in the highlands were you. Sorry about the Hi-Jack

Jordan

[ForresterModern]

ForresterModern

Just out of curiousity where about in the highlands were you. Sorry about the Hi-Jack

Jordan

Also sorry for the hijack response.

The old guy was a front desk clerk at a chain hotel in Inverness, and he had just complemented me on my smartly worn traditional IOS kilt and outfit as a group of obvious tourists entering the hotel from a bus. When he spied one of them in a tee shirt and dark monotone contemporary kilt passing through the lobby, his complement to me was immediately followed by something sotto voce' to the effect of "unlike some riff-raff who slaughter our traditions in public" while he glared in the tourist's direction for several seconds. (Oh, and for those who might care I happened to be wearing a flat cap at the time).

Back to the original post, I have another suggestion of how to make a couple of pairs of kilt hose last several days without washing (unless you frankly soak or trash them with dirt). I wore thin poly sock liners under my kilt hose, and the liners absorb most of the oils and salts in your foot sweat while still allowing the moisture to wick away from your foot and through the socks. Sock liners are inexpensive, thin, lightweight, and extremely easy to rinse/wash before you go to bed (use your shampoo---just a drop will do), and they dry in a couple hours while you sleep. Just remember to wash them in the bathtub rather than the sink, becasue you still have to wash your face and brush your teeth in the sink. I have used this technique for hiking/walking socks on multi day, even multi week, treks, and only need to wash the socks/hose themselves about once every three wearings instead of every night. Liners wash easier and dry faster than heavy kilt hose.

[Kilted_John]

Most shoes and boots will look fine with kilt hose up, which is how I usually wear my kilts, even on a hot day. I don't, however, wear dark colored hose on a hot day. Usually it's oatmeal with running shoes, or a blue or green with boots.

-J

[Tribal]

Maybe this is heresy, but I thought I looked pretty decent in my tweed kilt with a polo shirt and sandals (no socks, of course). Spray your feet down with blue Gold Bond or the like at the start and end of the day and you'll be golden.

[Jock Scot]

Maybe this is heresy, but I thought I looked pretty decent in my tweed kilt with a polo shirt and sandals (no socks, of course). Spray your feet down with blue Gold Bond or the like at the start and end of the day and you'll be golden.

One thing is for sure, you are bound to raise an eyebrow, or two, at a Scottish highland games with your outfit.

[fortcollinsjerry]

I came across these in the Goodwill for $5 today. They look perfect and should go with my day dress kit which I'll wear around at the Homecoming. I saw the exact style in an illustration in The Scotish Tartans which is why I snagged them.


(I've seen several pair of these in various condition recently - some Tux rental shop must have unloaded a whole stock)

[ForresterModern]

I came across these in the Goodwill for $5 today. They look perfect and should go with my day dress kit which I'll wear around at the Homecoming. I saw the exact style in an illustration in The Scotish Tartans which is why I snagged them.


(I've seen several pair of these in various condition recently - some Tux rental shop must have unloaded a whole stock)

Jerry

Don't know if you recognize it or not but those things under the tassles are also kilts, one per shoe (kilted tassle loafers). Wear them with your tank and you will be triple kilted.

[Bugbear]

I don't know... I just have the shoes that I have. I think there were some subtle expressions of dislike over my tweed walking shoes the other day. So, what can you do.

Well, other than not wear a kilt.