How a highlander decides how to dress.

**Liam** · 30th August 15, 06:40 PM

1. Choose the kilt you wish to wear - this is easy because you only have one.

2. Shirt? If it is a wedding or a funeral? - wear white, if not pick the tattersall - It goes with everything (and nothing).

3. Hose? Pick the lovat green - you have another pair but they are lovat green as well.

4. Flashes/garters? - pick the red ones. This isn't really a choice because you've never seen the need to waste good money on a second pair.

5. Sgian dubh? Easy choice again you only have one.

6. Shoes? Black brogues of course, not the silly ghillie ones which you don't own. In fact you only own 2 pairs of shoes - your new black brogues and your worn out ones. The local shoe maker refused to resole them, which made you furious, after all he resoled them the previous 6 times.
Other possible foot wear choice is wellies if it is raining, but not for the wedding or the funeral.

7. Belt? Normally you don't wear one as a waist coat is worn.

8. Sporran? Another easy choice. Pick the black one (again the only one you have ever felt the need to own).

9. Tie? Easy choice again wear your school or regimental tie, which ever one doesn't have the gravy stain. The only other choice is your black one if it is a funeral.

10. Jacket? Your black barathea argyle for weddings and after 6 PM - other wise your tweed. (This can be amended to wearing a sweater (or jumper in UK vernacular) if it is a casual affair. If really casual, take off your tie.)

11. And lastly your hat, again a relatively easy choice - if it is cold out wear one if not - don't.

My tongue in cheek attempt at a bit of humour. I sincerely hope no one takes offence as this is not my intent.

Slainte to all!

**The Q** · 31st August 15, 12:42 AM

While enjoying you humor,

Sadly for most highlanders today it's,
Pull on a pair of jeans, the latest fashionable type if you're a teenager
Pull on a sweat shirt, advertising your football team,
Put on a pair of trainers ( sneakers) again fashionable type for a teenager.
Put on a coat and pull up the hood,

The majority of highlanders, dont ever wear a kilt, if they do, it's only a hired one at a wedding and there a few kilt hire shops in the highlands its a major trip to Inverness, Oban or Stornoway.
Many these days don't even own a Saxon suit. If they do its then its a dark one for weddings AND funerals...

Actually I've just thought on that, the majority always only have owned one suit (at a time) as I have, there is just not the requirement for more. The most often ive been at suited / formal occations in a year is 10 times. That is almost certainly more than most people, so spending 500 pounds or more on a kilt is just not an option.

**Kiltedjohn** · 31st August 15, 04:00 AM

The Highlander in question has clearly not been drawn into the kilt addiction we so often hear about! Many contributions suggest there is an irresistable urge to but more and more kilts and accessories.

**Wareyin** · 31st August 15, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by The Q

While enjoying you humor,

Sadly for most highlanders today it's,
Pull on a pair of jeans, the latest fashionable type if you're a teenager
Pull on a sweat shirt, advertising your football team,
Put on a pair of trainers ( sneakers) again fashionable type for a teenager.
Put on a coat and pull up the hood,

The majority of highlanders, dont ever wear a kilt, if they do, it's only a hired one at a wedding and there a few kilt hire shops in the highlands its a major trip to Inverness, Oban or Stornoway.
Many these days don't even own a Saxon suit. If they do its then its a dark one for weddings AND funerals...

Actually I've just thought on that, the majority always only have owned one suit (at a time) as I have, there is just not the requirement for more. The most often ive been at suited / formal occations in a year is 10 times. That is almost certainly more than most people, so spending 500 pounds or more on a kilt is just not an option.

The last 2 paragraphs are true on this side of the pond, as well. Before discovering my ancestry and enjoyment of the kilt, I had not worn a suit in over 10 years, and the suit I had worn was purchased because I had a wedding and a funeral to attend that year. I would love a wool kilt in Ancient Watson (or modern!), but spending 500 dollars or more is just not an option, either.

**The Q** · 31st August 15, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by Wareyin

The last 2 paragraphs are true on this side of the pond, as well. Before discovering my ancestry and enjoyment of the kilt, I had not worn a suit in over 10 years, and the suit I had worn was purchased because I had a wedding and a funeral to attend that year. I would love a wool kilt in Ancient Watson (or modern!), but spending 500 dollars or more is just not an option, either.

I must admit, I haven't got a full wool tank yet, only PVs
A, I'm on a diet at the moment, its permanent and my weight hasn't settled yet.
B, There are at least 32 Stewart tartans to choose from where do I start? Plus I want the RAF kilt as well.
C, I've just about got the money now for the first wool kilt.
D, I think i can convince SWMBO, for my 60th in two years time, when my RAF pension starts, to Allow An RAF Kilt,
E, I do have the problem She LIKES buying from charity shops, and not spending money. Well she is from Yorkshire!

**Mikilt** · 31st August 15, 03:42 PM

Great stuff Liam!

While I own a few kilts and a good number of accouterments, I generally follow this advice. I am not a highlander nor am I Scottish. But I do always want to look my best and the modern highlander examples I have seen on this site inspire my sartorial choices.

**MNlad** · 31st August 15, 04:12 PM

1. Choose the kilt you wish to wear - this is easy because you only have one.

Knew I went wrong somewhere.
"Don't go for the one." -Gaelic Storm-

**Jock Scot** · 31st August 15, 06:46 PM

Posts one and two put the situation pretty well. Post one, section 10, I would take issue with. No Highlander worth his salt would wear a black barathea argyll to a wedding, unless it was formal(morning coat equivalent). Otherwise a tweed argyll would be the jacket of choice---well actually its probably the only one they have. In passing a tweed argyll would be worn to funerals too and care would be needed to be taken as one Christian denomination( common to the Highlands and Islands), would frown on the kilt being worn at a funeral.

A fun thread with very good points made.