Period postcard

**HarborSpringsPiper** · 24th November 09, 03:47 PM

I ran across this old postcard which was listed as "unknown man in kilt" on a webpage with a collection of what look to be 19th century photographs. I happened to notice his ankle-high boots, reminding me of another current thread, "Alan Cumming, OBE".

I'm not really sure what this photo represents. Was it somebody who went to the studio dressed in his Highland attire or was this one of those "dress up in stuff at the studio" kind of portraits, which I understand used to be fairly common. His jacket and waistcoat honestly look a little large for him, making me think these may not have been his clothes.

I've never thought that boots look that swift with a kilt and jacket combo. I've seen plenty of casual photos on this site that do look okay, though I've never worn boots with the kilt myself.

Does anybody know if wearing boots like this was a common practice back in the Victorian or Edwardian periods or was this photo just a curiosity? I can't decide if his hose are just bunched at the boot top or if those are perhaps hose-tops worn with the boot.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 24th November 09, 04:00 PM

It would help if we could see the post card...

**Rex_Tremende** · 24th November 09, 04:08 PM

Here is is, I think:

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 24th November 09, 04:33 PM

deleted by author

**HarborSpringsPiper** · 24th November 09, 05:23 PM

Ha, ha! I guess that wasn't a solid link. Thanks, Rex, for posting the pic and I hope you don't mind me using your link for continuity's sake.

That's interesting, MOR. I had never seen gaiters worn with the kilt by civilians. With gaiters, the shoe type wouldn't much matter and hose tops would certainly work, wouldn't they?

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 24th November 09, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Rex_Tremende

Here is is, I think:

Hmm.. well he's a fine lookin' fella, ain't he?

His shoes are "of the period" and he's definitely wearing hose tops. My guess is the jacket might be a tad too large... if he puts his arms down it looks like the sleeves may swallow his hands. All in all, I think he may be in "borrowed" clothes...

In answer to your question, shoes (or boots) like that were regularly worn with the kilt, often with gaiters:

Foot wear should consist of thick soled brogues with gaiters to match the stockings... was the advice given by Loudon MacQueen Douglas in 1914 in his book "THE KILT, A Manual of Scottish National Dress".