Hand Sewn MacNeil of Barra from USA Kilts

**SteveB** · 1st April 09, 09:03 PM

The newest kilt in my small kollection. I have already posted the details of its construction in another thread
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/b...280/index.html

Here I am wearing it at my bagpiping lesson.

This work of art drew many favourable comments on the train to the lesson. For our ever changing New England weather, I am wearing my Argyle jacket, dress shirt, MacNeil of Barra Modern tartan tie, MacNeil of Barra Ancient kilt, blue hose, tartan flashes, and basic brogues. My Glenngarry is not on my head as I am indoors in the classroom. The kilt belt, clan badge, and kilt pin are all Clan Macneil. The sgian dubh is a generic, as I have not acquired one with clan insignia on it yet.
This is posted in the traditional kilt and Highland Attire forum, as I would appreciate constructive comments on this outfit in the traditional terms.
Thank you.

**ForresterModern** · 2nd April 09, 02:09 AM

Looks great on you. I am not usually a fan of mixing tartans, even ancient and modern of the same tartan simultaneously, but the macNeil works fine.

**JolyStNicholas** · 2nd April 09, 05:02 AM

Ya mentioned the tartan and the kilt, but ya didn't tells us how the Pipe lesson are comm'in along?

**McMurdo** · 2nd April 09, 05:58 AM

I think it looks wonderful sir, my only suggestion and it is a small one, would be to turn down your hose tops a tad more, but that is being very critical of me all in all very nice look.

**SteveB** · 2nd April 09, 07:59 AM

JolyStNicholas,
The pipe lessons are coming along great. I am in month four and am doing well at learning some tunes. My Tutor is pleased with my progress, and that to me is the most important report.

Glenn,
Thank you for the hose critique. I was wondering myself after I looked at the picture of myself if the hose could be better.

The traditional rabble,
Is wearing the Argyle without the waistcoat acceptable?
If it is, should it be buttoned or open?
I really would like to honour the Scottish National Attire properly.

Slainte

**Jock Scot** · 2nd April 09, 08:26 AM

It is quite acceptable to wear an argyll without a waistcoat and is generally worn unbuttoned. As you are wanting to honour the Scots attire properly, might I suggest wearing a tweed argyll with brass buckled belt, as the silver buttoned argyll that you are wearing is "formal day wear" and should not be worn with a tartan tie. There are those,me included, that consider a tartan tie as a no no, under any circumstances. I mean no disrespect to you and I hope you take my reply as being helpful rather than critical.

**sydnie7** · 2nd April 09, 08:29 AM

Lovely kilt and I like the subtle mix of tartans. I wonder if Glenn's suggestion re deeper hose tops would help hold down your flashes? They seem to be flying out vs. flat against the hose, again perhaps just a side-effect of the cuff depth. Otherwise looking grand!

**The Barry** · 2nd April 09, 09:14 AM

I'm up in the air about these tartans mixing. I like it, then I look again and it looks a bit off. Then I look again and I like it. Then I look again.....

**Jock Scot** · 2nd April 09, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by The Barry

I'm up in the air about these tartans mixing. I like it, then I look again and it looks a bit off. Then I look again and I like it. Then I look again.....

Perhaps you may not have considered the real reason for not mixing tartans-------and that is the offence it can cause. For example, imagine how someone wearing a MacDonald and a Campbell tartan together could cause, sadly even these days, real offence. Now, I am sorry if I have misunderstood what you are saying, but tartans and their clan(pre tartan) connections are far deeper than a fashion statement. Take my advice, if you are going to insist on mixing tartans, of different clans, then study the clan histories really well before doing so. In fact, just don't do it, its not worth the upset.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 2nd April 09, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Perhaps you may not have considered the real reason for not mixing tartans-------and that is the offence it can cause. For example, imagine how someone wearing a MacDonald and a Campbell tartan together could cause, sadly even these days, real offence. Now, I am sorry if I have misunderstood what you are saying, but tartans and their clan(pre tartan) connections are far deeper than a fashion statement. Take my advice, if you are going to insist on mixing tartans, of different clans, then study the clan histories really well before doing so. In fact, just don't do it, its not worth the upset.

I believe he's referring to the two shades of the same tartan as seen in Steve's tie and kilt. Really they're the same tartan... Just a mixing of hues...