Tradition Vs. Personal Style in Kilt Fashion
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- Is adherence to traditional looks more important than personal style? Or can you balance the two?
We were asked about why so many gents take issue with the idea of wearing a Highland Shirt (ie. Jacobite or Ghillie shirt) with a vest, kilt jacket or even a Prince Charlie set. While we have seen many examples of people doing exactly this, it is worth considering why they do it. Is it misinformation? Is it simply liking the look? Feeling it make you a dashing Highlander?
Or is it a lack of awareness of what traditional Highland Dress looks like, and has looked like, for the past 120 years?
Tartans in this video:
Rocky: American Dream
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Erik: Scott Red Muted
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Erik really hit the nail on the head that today, young men and we could add ladies aren't properly schooled in how to properly dress. I remember in boot, when we were fitted for our Service Alphas and our Dress Blues, that was the first time many guys had ever worn anything close to a "suit." Many had to be instructed by our DI's as how to tie a tie, shine shoes/ boots/ buckles, etc.. That was 33 years ago. My how times have changed. People wear stuff in public no gentleman should ever consider wearing. Sad thing is, when I'm not at work where a dress code is enforced, I have to dress for my surroundings so as to blend in.
Clothing is a form of communication. It tells people a bit about who you are. Therefore, I try to be rather intentional with my "communication."
When I'm wearing a kilt, I'm *usually* wearing it as clothing, not a costume. And where I live, a Ghillie shirt is going to come across as more of a costume piece. I wear a similar kind of shirt when I go to the Renaissance Festival (and costumes are expected), but that's about the only time.
I also try to choose clothing that improves my appearance. With my build, the cut of a Ghillie shirt isn't flattering.
Personal touches don't have to be crazy. (Especially when kilted. Kilts are already a huge personal touch to an outfit.) Yesterday I was wearing a navy/blue/white kilt. Since I was wearing a lilac button-up shirt with it, I chose two dark purple accessories (garter ties and eyeglasses) to complement the shirt. To me, color can add a very personal touch to an outfit … and when the colors coordinate well, people think "that looks good," rather than "that looks odd."
Totally agree .
Context is king. I'm wearing a highland shirt and vest at my wedding but it's a renfair inspired take on highland garb with a chieftan vest. But for my cousin's wedding later, I am going with a typical dress shirt, argyle vest and jacket. Personally I think it really comes down to what event are you going to, what streams are you crossing, and why are you crossing them.
A word of warning that applies in any personal style/ choice... don't gatekeep.
I wear "highland" shirts with vests quite often, but generally not contemporary, tightly tailored vests. There is a lot of variety and history in vests, so the question as stated leaves some information to be desired.
Absolutely true that the "traditional" kilted look of the past 100+ years is a solid foundation and a great place to start out. As a result of one asks questions, this is likely where most of the answers will point.
I started off being strongly guided by tradition, but not actually living through traditional wear. I like when you talked about "as your taste buds develop", and yeah, a bit strange, but also apt. As you become more accustomed to a style you begin to recognize nuances that will work well within your own personal vibe.
Departures from tradition are fine as well, you just need to figure out what works and doesn't, for you. YOU are the one wearing the kilt, not someone else. Anyone that isn't wearing a kilt doesn't have a leg to stand on while judging you and most people who wear kilts aren't going to call you out on it (except for the underwear thing, which I don't understand why it's a thing still, or why anyone is worried about the presence or lack thereof).
On more than one occasion I've said something along the lines of, "I notice that you're not wearing a kilt, come talk to me when you're on even footing, have a nice day"
My go-to is sorta like a pub casual: Black tucked T shirt (or black collared button up), semi trad kilt, black day sporran, black hose w/flashes and black combat boots. My kilts are Campbell Ancient and Ulster Red.
+USAKiltsOfficial *Thanks for the stylist and historian perspectives.* The _feiladh mór_ was routine for Scots of both sides during the Wars of the Spanish and Austrian Successions and the Seven Years' War; and would pair up with the Highland Shirt and Chief's Doublet. The _feiladh beag,_ otOH, coordinates well with modern tops such as an Oxford midshirt, Argyll vest, semi-dress _Sporran,_ and a Windsor to match the Tartan.
I always say, to keep everything the same level of formality, great advice here. The traditional look while easy to get, just buy the right stuff tends to take a few years to really get. First thing is get comfortable in the kilt then work toward personal style.
Life is short. Wear whatever you want and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.
What if they know what they’re talking about?
Rocky/Eric; For a future K&C episode ... What would a "Traditional' Highland shirt look like? Say something with a Great kilt or a 'Period' shirt from Outlander? Maybe you could show some examples of one?
So the highland shirt with a vest there are a few of us that wear are leather ren vest with are highland shirt jest so we have more pockets
And the vest do not have any way to Botton them . But I wear my great kilt to metal shows with my band tee and battle vest as well. To each there own🤘🏻🤘🏻
I'm quite sure most people do not recognize the difference between a "highland" or "pirate" shirt and a grand father shirt (those with the small stand up collar and buttons and - sometimes - slightly poofy arms. Here in Germany, I can easily get a "pirate" shirt in every "middle age" or "fantasy" store online and even on the fairs and festivals. For a shirt with stand up collar (which would be the best fitting option in this case), you have to search in shops for craftsmen-outfit ("Kluft") or traditional clothes ("Tracht"). So even if you think there are styles not to be mixed - in general, many people even won't see the difference...
Honestly I prefer a grandfather shirt over the Highland shirt. It just looks better and you can wear with more stuff. And I think with a fast without lapels it would look good.
4:06 did I see right? Highlandshirt with fly plaid? Wasn't this another of the no-no-s?
I was thinking that too, but it's a great kilt/ belted plaid
Is it okay to wear Kilt hoses with flashes was Doc Martin or combat boots
Sure. I was wearing kilt hose, garter ties, and lace-up boots two days ago.
I do it all the time.
You're very correct that most men just don't have any idea what is "appropriate", so start with the classics. Learn those first and then you can branch out to your own tastes.
The bottom line is that you can wear what you want, but that doesn't mean it will look good.
I'm interested in how a kilt can be worn with modern fashion, and in very non-traditional outfits
I usually wear my kilt in a contemporary style. I follow a few guidelines.
*Shirts:*
Almost any style of shirt that can be tucked in works with a kilt … dress shirt, casual button-up, turtleneck, polo, Henley, t-shirt, etc. (I can't think of any exceptions.) I stick with solid colors or very subtle patterns, since the kilt is providing a very bold pattern.
*Shoes:*
The "stylish" guideline is to match leathers. Therefore, I'm usually matching my sporran (or one of the colors in a two-color sporran). For ultra-casual, I'll wear canvas shoes and match my kilt or shirt instead.
*Accessories:*
Keep them simple. In general, any outfit should have *one* statement piece (at most). And if I'm wearing a kilt, *that's* my statement piece.
*Jackets:*
Any jacket that ends at the level of my waist works (e.g. bomber, Harrington).
Are there specific contemporary looks that you'd like to adapt to a kilt?
Boots, Kilt Hose, Flashes, Kilt, Balmoral, Solid Color Polo and Cap Badge
I wonder what some might think: I am wearing a ghillie short (black) and blue jeans. I am about to go out and work in my garden. I wonder if it would offend some purist if they were to see me.
Ok you three are really mixing me up, so what shirt should i wear with my Feileadh Mòr ?
If a gillie shirt isn't accurate, then what kind of shirt is? I'm thinking mid-1700s here.
18th century shirts are available with numerous retailers. Jas townsend is a reasonable place to start
@@rickfrazier7114 Ah! Thanks. Yeah, I know who that is.
Question, is a Highland shirt comfortable? Can’t comfort be a factor?
In my experience, the most comfortable clothes are those that fit properly and are made of comfortable fabrics. (Unsurprisingly, *fit* is also a key trait for having clothes look good on you.)
Highland shirts come in a very limited range of sizes (S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL, XXXXL). They just have a generic chest size, waist size, and sleeve length. Having looked at them, there's a 0% chance that one might fit me well off the rack. There's a *small* chance one would fit me well after $60+ in tailoring.
In addition, Highland shirts are made of pre-shrunk cotton muslin. They don't stretch. Many of my shirts contain a small percentage of elastane. Even my other shirts use weaves that allow a certain amount of stretch.
If I choose the right brands and sizes, I can spend $7 to $35 on a contemporary shirt and get one that fits perfectly. It will also be made from a comfortable fabric. If I buy a Highland shirt, I'll spend $50 + $60 tailoring … and if I'm lucky I *might* get a shirt that fits but still is less comfortable.
On the other hand, Highland shirts are likely to fit you differently than they fit me.
@@karlr750 I was initially asking two questions because I've never owned or worn a Highland shirt and don't know if comfort might be a factor. And I never have been or will be confused with a GQ model and have never been very style conscious. For the first few decades of my work life, I was expected to wear suit and tie. And I always dreaded having to buy a new suit. I can't explain why, but what I actually dreaded was the whole tailoring part, measuring and multiple visits for "fitting" that would always take weeks. Hence I would purchase several suits at a time, to reduce the discomfort.
Now that's not to say I wouldn't want to go thru the measuring process for a kilt, as it is significantly different in how it's worn than other clothes and I have short legs.
The highland shirt would look good woth a great kilt and then maybe a deer skin or leather vest, something more "primative" for lack of a better word
I bought one of shirts and wore it once. Didn’t like it and never wore it again.😢 waste of money.
I totally agree William .I bought two of those shirts and never wore them and never will . The puffy sleeves is just too much for me . I should have stopped at the first shirt .
I am eagerly anticipating an athleisure take on kilting, but maybe certain exercises and stretches have the potential for gratuitous malfunctions.
Like wearing a suit and trainers? Just two different things that shouldn’t go together.
Where what you want and do it with respect. There isn't a kilt police and a kilt is not an outfit. We make a bigger deal of this than Scotland does. Just chill and relax.