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

[Jock Scot]

To be honest, I don’t care for the pirate/ ghillie shirt style, in consequence, I don’t wear them. What others choose to wear is entirely their choice and if they want to look like a refugee from a film set, then, so be it. However, there are most certainly times when the ghillie shirt is not appropriate.

[Ivor]

At the end of the day you have to ask yourself “Is this something I would choose to wear as my normal everyday dress?” Or is the correct question more like “I feel like I am already in fancy dress wearing a kilt so wearing a ‘pirate shirt’ adds to the overall impression”
Posts such as Panache’s definitely convey this view that it is something to wear when wishing to give a fancy dress impression for whatever reason but not, maybe, for everyday wear.

[Jock Scot]

At the end of the day you have to ask yourself “Is this something I would choose to wear as my normal everyday dress?” Or is the correct question more like “I feel like I am already in fancy dress wearing a kilt so wearing a ‘pirate shirt’ adds to the overall impression”
Posts such as Panache’s definitely convey this view that it is something to wear when wishing to give a fancy dress impression for whatever reason but not, maybe, for everyday wear.

I am afraid, that since joining this website many years ago, that some who contribute to this website give me that impression. I have never been certain if some of it has been intentional and well meant, or just having fun in "poking fun" at traditional kilt attire and those that try to wear it properly. Sadly and all too often the "cringe meter" almost goes off the chart. Pushing boundaries is a natural and normal human trait, but those boundaries are far too often crossed on this website, in my humble opinion and we need be brave enough to say so, in a polite and courteous way.

Before anyone else says so, I will say it."Of course fashions come and go. Of course materials change. Of course kilt attire has an international input these days and it is here, that I think kilt attire and its traditions are in most danger of being "watered down". Do I like it? Well some of it? No I don't! Does what I think matter?

Well, I doubt it, as international big business has a huge input these days, but I would like to hope that with educated customers who know what is what, will slow down this slide into mediocrity. I have to say from my stand point, that kilt attire and those that are going to wear it, then the future does look rather grim, bleak and frivolous through these Scottish eyes.

[Ivor]

I appreciate what you are saying, Jock, and the endless in-depth examinations of anything remotely kilt-related can only be accounted for by an ongoing obsession with, in this case, what is nothing more or less but an item of clothing. For some people this might be a pastime like fishing where the obsession goes beyond a trip to the riverbank and, instead, involves an extensive (and expensive) collection of rods, reels and sundry other paraphernalia even to the exclusion of actually trying to catch fish!
Without trying to diminish anyone’s particular obsessions it is also not necessary to join in with them but to step back and smile indulgently as they follow their interests. The only exception, perhaps, and that is maybe what you are suggesting, is when these extend beyond the harmless and begin to influence others in unintended ways.

[Jock Scot]

As a keen angler I understand what you are saying and I have followed the route of greenheart rods and silk lines all the way to split cane and on to carbon fibre and synthetic floating fly lines that actually float!. But......but.......kilt attire is different.Yes changes with kilt attire have changed over the many years but those changes have been fairly slow. Wool kilts are still going strong with little or no change, shoes haven't changed much, hose the same and so on.

What has changed hugely is the international interest with kilts and its attire. It is this international aspect that perhaps, un-intentionally but I think, inevitably is often what causes ripples in the traditional kilt attire world. It is bound happen, I regret to say.

Whist I reluctantly have to accept that, I honestly think that modern materials combined with a major international interest in kilt attire WITHOUT the close connections to traditions of assorted types of the home country can only hasten the relegation of traditional kilt attire to a clothing fad. I am afraid that I see signs of it happening at an ever quickening pace almost every day on this website.

[Janner52]

At the end of the day you have to ask yourself “Is this something I would choose to wear as my normal everyday dress?” Or is the correct question more like “I feel like I am already in fancy dress wearing a kilt so wearing a ‘pirate shirt’ adds to the overall impression”
Posts such as Panache’s definitely convey this view that it is something to wear when wishing to give a fancy dress impression for whatever reason but not, maybe, for everyday wear.

I get the point you are trying to make here. In some quarters there is a belief that the kilt is a “national costume” and as such must be worn with specific items of clothing. We see this in the traditional dress of other countries.

In so far as the kilt is concerned this is not the case. It is very much a stand alone garment. The clothing worn with it has evolved along with the current fashion trend and presumably will continue to to do so. It is not something that must be dressed up as a costume.

Having said that it is important to try and maintain the standards that help to define the kilt. Examples being its relationship with tweed and its ability to be worn in a casual manner, as a part of formal dress and as a part of of military uniform.

[OC Richard]

I'd guess that if you asked Americans in possession of commercial Pipes and Drums recordings, most would have no idea whether the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Black Watch are the same thing or different.

Ha! You're not wrong!

I hear Americans use goofy terms like "Highland Watch" and "Highlander Guards" all the time, conflating the various regiments.

The record companies (back when records and CDs were a thing) did much to add to the confusion by mixing up the photos they used for the album covers and the music contained on the albums. It's oddly entertaining, spotting these goofups, here are five.

(Just for fun can you list who appears in the photos?)

[Jock Scot]

Yes! Correct labelling and terminology would be a good start, however getting around local and regional terminology could be a tad tricky too. But in spite of that, it would be a great start!

Sadly, too many years have passed with all this nonsense going on, it would take decades to correct and think about the chaos whilst it’s being done! I am glad I won’t be around to suffer it!

[MacKenzie]

All this got me to thinking. I have been in attendance at several occasions where a piper-for-hire played. Their dress choice has ranged from the guy in the YouTube video I posted earlier, to smart, "traditional" daywear, to a full blown drum/pipe major including the bearskin.

So my question for @OC Richard and any other pipers that do gigs like that: Do people ask or comment about what you're wearing?

[jsrnephdoc]

Ha! You're not wrong!

I hear Americans use goofy terms like "Highland Watch" and "Highlander Guards" all the time, conflating the various regiments.

The record companies (back when records and CDs were a thing) did much to add to the confusion by mixing up the photos they used for the album covers and the music contained on the albums. It's oddly entertaining, spotting these goofups, here are five.

(Just for fun can you list who appears in the photos?)

Richard, I tried searching for that old thread, but cannot find it. Can you post a link?