Accessories for a new kilt.... questions from a newby

[JohnMcNab]

I am new to this very informative forum and I am learning a lot reading through the various threads. I also have a (now worn) copy of "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt!" I am waiting for the arrival of my first kilt. I chose the Special Forces Tartan as I spent 20+ years serving there. I have worn a kilt in the past for various ceremonies but this is the first time I will be the proud owner. I have a few questions and I appreciate any advice from the experienced and knowledgeable members here.

As I am waiting for the arrival of my kilt, I am choosing accessories. I bought a charcoal grey Argyll Jacket but I opted for stag horn buttons thinking this would make it a "most occasions" suit jacket. I plan to add others as needed. Thoughts?

I have several pair of hose as I wear them with my breeks when I shoot birds. I typically wear hose in colors "louder than my shotgun". I guess occasion would dictate, but are there any formal or informal norms when it comes to hose and the kilt?

I love the red stag. I have pursued this royal beast numerous times in Scotland and Argentina (and will do so as long as my legs will carry me up the hills). I see sporrans, kilt pins, belts, etc. that are decorated with the stag. Are there any formal are informal norms to wearing stag decorated accessories?

Again, I thank everyone for their comments and advice.

Larry

[sbevans]

First, welcome from Illinois. Second, I have a grey kilt jacket, (Braemar Cuffs with horn buttons), and wear it far more often than my Black Argyll Jacket for the same reason. Third, I think you will find many different opinions about hose color. As for me, I generally wear lighter colors with daywear (Lovat blue or green, or grey), and darker colors for evening. It may depend on the colors of your Kilt(s), but ultimately, wear whatever you like. Last, as far as accessories, I believe stag accessories are not uncommon. In terms of day, semi dress, or dress sporrans, some may offer different opinions, but I own one of each, and find that I wear the day sporran the most often.

[Livonian]

Loud hose would look quite nice in my opinion, although I like to have at least one or two (very) loud pieces of clothing on my person at any given time.

The stag seems a popular motif for Highland Dress, although one of our members from Scotland would be better-qualified to comment on any norms for wearing stag-motif items.

If I may ask, where might we all find hose that are louder than a shotgun? I, and some other members, may be interested in a pair or twelve.

[Dughlas mor]

Hello, JohnMcNab. If you haven`t done so already, I urge you to have a look at the sticky posted at the top of the traditional forum, "Traditional Highland Civilian Dress, a Definition and Guide with Visual Examples." You will see lots of photos of Xmarkers who really know the traditional look, and some fairly loud hose as well. Happy shopping!

[JohnMcNab]

Thanks to everyone for the comments.

Livonian: I pick up the loud hose when I visit the UK. Fortunately, I have able to go at least one time every year.

Larry

[OC Richard]

First and foremost, thank you for your service to our country!

Yes a grey jacket is versatile, hard to go wrong.

About bright hose, I love them! Why not have bold accessories, especially as the jacket is grey.

About the stag motif, yes, there's a small number of motifs which show up all the time in Highland Dress, the most common being the thistle, the stag's head, St Andrew holding his cross, and the Lion Rampant. These are seen over and over both in civilian and in military Highland Dress.

The stag's head, in the military, is most associated with The Seaforth Highlanders and The Gordon Highlanders, a stag's head forming the cap-badge of both regiments, as well as appearing on the sporran badges and numerous other places.

The dearly departed Pipe Major Alisdair Gillies in the uniform of The Queens Own Highlanders (formed by an amalgamation of The Seaforth Highlanders and The Cameron Highlanders). Note the stag's head badges on the Glengarry, brooch, crossbelt, and on an embroidered arm-badge



The regimental toast of the Queens Own Highlanders was, not surprisingly,

Slainte agus buaidh gu brath le Gillean Chabar Feidh!

And one of the main regimental marches is Cabar Feidh.

Here's a civilian guy in the 1860s wearing spectacular deer's horn motif hose



Personally I think the putting badges (of any sort) on accessories can easily be over-done, in civilian kilt-wearing. Sometimes less is more!

[Tarheel]

I, unlike Jock, have a stag in my clan motif. But I have wood button on my jackets and wood sgian handles. There are other (subtle) ways to incorporate stag accessories such as buttons, sgian handle, antler clasp on a sporran, etc. This would be too much for me with the clan badge already displayed on my caps.

[James Hood]

Personal preference for jacket parallels XMTS founder Steve Ashton's; a Saxon blazer (not cut down) in wool or tweed, rather than Argyll, for daily wear (with day sporran).

In other words, treat the wool tartan kilt as a pair of wool trousers.

In this experience, an Argyll at non-Highland affairs is a bit much. Am strongly considering toning down (only) Argyll with horn or bone buttons; the (as jacket made) square silver-metal ones are too garish for this writer's preference.

[McMurdo]

First off welcome to XMarks. Second off, good choice on the grey argyll it will serve you well for years. As for the loud hose if you are happywith them and comfortable wearing them then I say go for it, after all it is your outfit no matter what others may think. I would suggest looking at he 1 kilt 10 looks thread here:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

You will notice I used my grey argyll in this thread a few times. I did that simply because the grey argyll just works. As for the stag hose I am glad OC Richard used the McLeay portrait of Thomas MacKenzie as those stag hose were the first thing I thought of after reading your post.

[DyerStraits]

First off welcome to XMarks. Second off, good choice on the grey argyll it will serve you well for years. As for the loud hose if you are happywith them and comfortable wearing them then I say go for it, after all it is your outfit no matter what others may think. I would suggest looking at he 1 kilt 10 looks thread here:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

You will notice I used my grey argyll in this thread a few times. I did that simply because the grey argyll just works. As for the stag hose I am glad OC Richard used the McLeay portrait of Thomas MacKenzie as those stag hose were the first thing I thought of after reading your post.

I fully agree with you regarding the arguably under-appreciated versatility of a good grey argyll coat, and it reminds me that I really do need to wear my own arrochar coat and waistcoat more often. Your 1 Kilt, 10 Looks thread remains as definitive a guide as any for someone new (or even not-so-new) to Highland attire.