Looking for Advice/Criticism

[pbutts]

I found your side-by-side pictures a good illustration of the often cited principle of not being too "matchy-matchy" and that we should treat the kilt differently than other garments. Both kilts look good even though the accessories don't necessarily match in the traditional sense.

Background - I have one "real" kilt; MacLeod of Harris but recently I've been thinking of getting a Loud MacLeod. In fact, I picked up an acrylic one and I'm trying to decide whether I want to take the plunge on a better MacLeod of Lewis. I'm not really into yellow, in fact except for my acrylic kilt, I think the only yellow in my wardrobe is a pocket square so I'm not really comfortable working into what I wear. I figured, with the collective experience here, there would be no better way to find out what works than to ask for the rabble's feedback.

Caveat - I'm wearing the same shirt, tie, hose and garter ties. My goal was to see how the jackets, waistcoats and kilts worked together so I didn't bother changing any of these elements (or bother with a pocket square either). Usually I only wear white for a more formal event and have solid coloured shirts and patterned shirts for other occasions.

Crail jacket/brown waistcoat

I recently purchased a herringbone tweed jacket with some blue and brown. I don't have a kilt belt and prefer waistcoats anyway so I tried pairing it with a light brown waistcoat I had in the closet that wasn't too long to interfere with the sporran.



Braemar jacket/brown waistcoat

A blue twill that I took a chance on; again, pairing with waistcoat.



Since I was already in the midst of taking pictures, I figured I'd try my lovat green Argyll with MacLeod of Lewis as I'm very hesitant to put those together.



Looking for feedback or advice on any or all of the combos. I'm pretty comfortable picking out what goes well together from my wardrobe (or at least I think I am) but items other than black or charcoal with the kilt is pretty new to me.

Thanks in advance,

Shane

[Pleater]

The lovat green looks good to me - in fact I prefer the green to the blue, to be honest, it seems a more comfortable combination of colours.

Anne the Pleater.

[kingandrew]

Add me to the column of people who liked the green jacket/yellow tartan combo best.

The key thing with a loud tartan is your attitude just needs to "own" it. If you wear it with pride, it will look great.

Andrew

[Liam]

My preference is the lovat green jacket and vest with both kilts. Have you tried skipping the vest and wearing a belt? It gives a different look.

[gsmacleod]

My preference is the lovat green jacket and vest with both kilts. Have you tried skipping the vest and wearing a belt? It gives a different look.

I haven't tried a belt as I don't currently have a kilt belt. I do generally prefer waistcoats with a jacket but at some point will probably pick up a belt to give me that option as well.

Thanks,

Shane

[Karl R]

I also realized I had another waistcoat in my closet that I think would pair well with the blue coat. A deep rich brown herringbone that I think provides a nice colour and texture combination that is lacking with the light brown waistcoat.

I think this waistcoat would work well with the MacLeod of Lewis, either by itself or with the Lovat green jacket.

[Shinenotburn]

Shane, I like these two combos. You had reservations on the green but I think it tones down the yellow.

Hi Shane,
I too have had some issues trying to put together some nice alternatives for daywear in this tartan.
I'm a McLeod myself and have always loved our dress tartan , but it does work best with black and more formal dressing. That being said, the muted or weathered versions do work well enough with some different textures. Tans and check tweeds seem to look especially nice. Blues can also work if you set them off with accessories like your ties and flashes. You will find quite a variety of yellow hues out there in the weaving of our tartan. Personally, I like the older, more golden hues, as I find the modern ones seem to scream at you and are harder to work with. I've thrown together some shots to show you what I have come up with so far. I'm still looking for the best combo. Hope this helps you a little. Glad to have another MacLeod on board.

[gsmacleod]

Hi Shane,
I too have had some issues trying to put together some nice alternatives for daywear in this tartan.
I'm a McLeod myself and have always loved our dress tartan , but it does work best with black and more formal dressing. That being said, the muted or weathered versions do work well enough with some different textures. Tans and check tweeds seem to look especially nice. Blues can also work if you set them off with accessories like your ties and flashes. You will find quite a variety of yellow hues out there in the weaving of our tartan. Personally, I like the older, more golden hues, as I find the modern ones seem to scream at you and are harder to work with. I've thrown together some shots to show you what I have come up with so far. I'm still looking for the best combo. Hope this helps you a little. Glad to have another MacLeod on board.

Thanks for the various images; definitely helps with thinking about different ways to tackle pairing daywear with the yellow. I'm surprised at how well the yellow waistcoat works but I think that works quite well.

Thanks for the welcome!

Shane

[davidlpope]

One other thing to consider it that the brightness of the yellow in this particular tartan varies greatly among different color schemes. It even seems to vary among the same "color scheme" from weaver to weaver.

So, you might consider the Lochcarron weathered version of this tartan if the yellow is a little bright for you.

Rocky, at USA Kilts (an advertiser) has a helpful tartan viewer for 13oz. and 16oz. fabrics, here: https://www.usakilts.com/gallery/13-...=macleod+lewis

[Jock Scot]

Just a thought. What branch of Clan MacLeod are you from? There are some within the Clan who regard this question and particularly the answer to be important as to which tartan is worn and when. Just saying.