Matchy-Matchy or Contrast in highland attire? Psst... here is the secret

**sydnie7** · 25th February 13, 08:24 AM

I suspect you'd prefer French Blue undies to the pale pink versions we created when a red garment went through the wash with my father's Jockeys. He was Not Amused. . .

**CMcG** · 25th February 13, 08:31 AM

This was a pretty good thread until people got fascinated by the colour of their own and other people's underwear...

I agree with Jamie that confidence is a desirable, perhaps even necessary, "accessory" when wearing the kilt. It is also good to encourage people to find their own personal kilted style.

Where I see a point of contention is in equating trends in Xmarks kilt wearing with Highland attire. The former is the result of a heterogeneous rabble of international kilt wearers, the latter is a question culture.

If someone just wants to wear the kilt and look good, then confidence and freedom of personal style are good anchors. From this perspective, the kilt is just clothing and people are simply integrating it as another piece of their wardrobe.

If someone wants to wear the kilt in a Highland way, however, then it behooves them to try and grasp the aesthetics of the traditions of the culture that produced it. On the other hand, I don't see contrast for the sake of contrast as being particularly THCD. It is probably just as overwrought as compulsively matching everything.

My approach to Highland attire is to complement colours and mix patterns, rather than try to either match or to contrast. I, of course, also try to add a dash of confidence and personal style

I have also been known to wear a traditional kilt in non-traditional ways, but at that point, I'm not thinking of the outfit as Highland attire per se...

**Sharkman** · 25th February 13, 10:00 AM

I have to agree with Panache. It has become apparent to me that I try a few things out and then I check it over and decide it's time for some change and contrast. I tend to be a bit Matchie sometimes and too conservative, but the more I wear the kilt the more I start changing things around.

Walk and wear with confidence and you'll be fine. It's demeanor, confidence and character that counts the most!!

**Cygnus** · 25th February 13, 10:20 AM

I agree with much of what Panache said, though I tend to be a traditionalist like OC Richard.

As a traditionalist, I've struggled a bit to get a "look" that I like. Part of the problem, I think, is the tartan that I wear; the MacQueen tartan is very bright and lacks the more subdued blues and greens common to many other tartans. The result of most of my forays into "mismatching" have been rather disastrous, as everything comes out looking like this picture posted previously:

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The jacket and tie would be fine with a more subdued tartan, but the purple, light blue, and shockingly vibrant red and yellow scream "circus" more than class.

This is one of my first attempts to introduce more colours into my Highland attire; though it's better than the purple jacket above, something about it just doesn't feel right. The mustard hose and kilt together are too loud, in my opinion, and, in addition to competing with one another as the focal point, overpower the blue and make it seem even more out of place.

If the tartan used a claret rather than bright red, I think this look would work quite a bit better.

I guess my preference, like CMcG, would be for coordination - which is a bit of a hybrid between matching and the "dress blindfolded" approach. I don't necessarily match everything, but I do match some things. Those things that don't match now are carefully considered and tend to be smaller accessories (garter ties, neck ties, etc.) or windowpane, gingham, or check patterns on my shirts. Given the vibrance of my chosen tartan, I think this is a happy middle ground to avoid the circus performer look while still nodding to tradition.

**mookien** · 25th February 13, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by sydnie7

I suspect you'd prefer French Blue undies to the pale pink versions we created when a red garment went through the wash with my father's Jockeys. He was Not Amused. . .

Good point. Been there, done that, hated it. Had to burn the end result.

**mookien** · 25th February 13, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

This was a pretty good thread until people got fascinated by the colour of their own and other people's underwear...

Colin: IMHO, this is a pretty good threat throughout.

Off topic? Not at all. We are discussing contrasting vs matching highland attire - some of us outer wear, others inner wear, or unner wear, if you prefer.

I think the subject, at least of the underwear, has pretty much played itself out to a reasonable conclusion. The outwear part of the subject will no doubt continue ad infinitum, because the opinions are numberless.

And, that's a good thing, because that is what this forum is largely about.

Cheers!

John