Ok, so they're not MY photos, but...

[beloitpiper]

...these photos from Manley Richardson look really sharp:











Ok, so those last two were mine. But I posted these photos to illustrate a point: don't over do it. Look at these photos. They keep it simple without too many accessories and what not...and they look great. I'm not singling anybody out, I'm just saying that I've been seeing a lot of photos that look, well, tacky.

I think we get carried away with looking "Scottish", but the kilt illustrates that perfectly. Beyond that it's mostly fluff, frankly. I mean, I understand wearing clan stuff to represent yourself, and other important pieces, but I think a lot of us (and I'm guilty of this too) get too excited and push it a bit too far. So, in an effort to help us all out, I just wanted to say this: step back and really look at yourself. Do you look classy, or do you look like a tourism ad? All I ask is that you wear the kilt looking good, not gaudy.

[pdcorlis]

Great photos worth taping to the mirror - as always less is more! I am struck by just how "at home" a kilt looks in the wide open spaces of the natural world.

[TheKiltedWonder]

Great photos worth taping to the mirror - as always less is more! I am struck by just how "at home" a kilt looks in the wide open spaces of the natural world.

Agreed! I'm so ready to go hiking now!

Also, I wouldn't ind owning the jacket in the first picture.

[slohairt]

They are nice pictures, Greg. Though as a dutiful X-marker I must point out that the model in the first picture has black shoes with a brown sporran and a belt with a waistcoat!

The second picture looks good, but I have to say it: The scrunched heavy hose look always makes me think of 80s Flashdance legwarmers! I know some of our friends enjoy the look. To each his own.

The last three look great with no problems that I can see. I've been guilty of "Balmoralism" on occasion, but I'm finding that I prefer a more understated look now. (tweed jackets, etc.)

[beloitpiper]

They are nice pictures, Greg. Though as a dutiful X-marker I must point out that the model in the first picture has black shoes with a brown sporran and a belt with a waistcoat!

Yeah, his kilt is too low too, but he still looks pretty nice, you gotta admit.

[Galician]

Just how were the last two yours?

[slohairt]

Yeah, I thought it was, too. I just wasn't sure if it was the way he was standing or whatever.

[cessna152towser]

An interesting series of pics, and worthy of note how, as some have already pointed out, there are a few points about the professional pics that the kilt police might pick on, yet the outfits still look good in their surroundings.

[McMurdo]

Wonderful photos Greg, as has been said some parts of some of the outfits are overdone Dress Belt and Waistcoat etc. However they all look smashing nonetheless, and to my eye they show an understated elegance that is hard to achive at the best of times, and impossible to reach for with cheap pieces.

[Drillagent]

and impossible to reach for with cheap pieces.

I understand that this is not a cheap lifestyle, but how much do you think the guy in the first pic is wearing? At least $1,000 USD? Maybe more? Now I understand from reading the forum here that there are ways of getting things cheaper. As a matter of fact, I liked the idea of getting a pair of wing tip shoes and cutting the tongue and every other eyelet out. (Found a pair like that at the PX I'm saving up for) But even then, things aren't cheap. I can't even sew a window drape, let alone my own kilt. I could probably find a tweed jacket at the flea market, but then I'd have to pay someone else to modify it, defeating the purpose. Those were nice pictures and all, but I myself am years away from worrying about whether or not I'm wearing black shoes with a brown sporran, or if I should wear my kilt hose down around my ankles. I apologize if I have offended anyone, but sometimes things here just seem a little out of peoples price range. Sorry to vent.