Is it OK to wear a dress tartan casually?

[Andrewson]

Today we had a welcome burst of sunshine in our otherwise dull or wet summer here. I was inspired to strap on my new Dress MacLeod of Lewis (i.e. loud MacLeod) kilt with a black polo shirt for maximum contrast.

As the sun caught the bright yellow base - a dazzling effect - I began to have second thoughts. I was barelegged and in Teva sandals i.e. very casual. The black shirt gave it a dressy look but this just looked incongruous with the lower half. I began to wonder if it ever right to wear a dress tartan with an otherwise casual outfit.

What do you think?

I am to admit that I chickened out and changed into a Blue Ramsay PV - which is one of my brighter tartans. The loud Macleod will have to wait for a black tie dinner I will be attending next month. I expect you lot will just yell chicken!

[Spc. Scott]

I think it is perfectly fine to wear at any time. Dress tartans seem to me to be a good way to carry a little brightness with you. Especially on a dull day!

[thescot]

I have a dress Robertson (read that as very red! with green mixed in) great kilt; it's five yards of wool. I usually only wear it for very formal occassions with a doublet, but I have worn it very casually with a penannular brooch tying the pieces together fore and aft to a RenFest. I looked very casual as you can imagine.

I'm actually a little old for all that dress up, but it was fun with my step-son, and it did demonstrate that dressy can also be casual. In fact, any tartan can be dressed up or down.

Go for it.

[Caddy One]

"Chicken"

[Riverkilt]

Hey Andrewson - HELLYA!!



Red works well too



Ron

[davedove]

A kilt is a garment that you can take from formal to casual, no matter what the tartan. It all depends on how you accessorize it.

My MacIan tartan at different levels of dress.

Formal:


Business Dress:


Casual:

[Andrewson]

Hey Andrewson - HELLYA!!



Red works well too



Ron

Yes, I think my mistake was to wear a black shirt. That's what got me thinking it was dressy. I agree that if I had added black hose - as you do in the first photo - and worn black shoes, it would have looked fine - just too hot for a summer's day, though. Barelegged in sandals it obviously "needs" the red top too.

But can I come back to the general question: If a tartan is designed to be a "dress tartan" doesn't that imply it should be worn formally? Or is "dress" just as suspect as a descriptor as "hunting" or "ancient" or "modern" when it comes to naming tartans?

[Nighthawk]

I think it is perfectly fine to wear at any time. Dress tartans seem to me to be a good way to carry a little brightness with you. Especially on a dull day!

That was my thinking too. It's not so much the tartan, in my estimation, as it is the overall outfit. I can take my solid black Amerikilt and make it look perfect for a Nightwish show, and the next night dress it up for something formal. It's all in the presentation.

[Monkey@Arms]

But can I come back to the general question: If a tartan is designed to be a "dress tartan" doesn't that imply it should be worn formally? Or is "dress" just as suspect as a descriptor as "hunting" or "ancient" or "modern" when it comes to naming tartans?

Really, they are all just names. As I recall usually dress tartans have white in them replacing another color (often red), but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

Best regards,

Jake

[northernsky]

Really, they are all just names. As I recall usually dress tartans have white in them replacing another color (often red), but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

Best regards,

Jake

Amen to that. I'm not old enough (yet) to be called Ancient, but I wear my Ancient Mackinnon tank for both formal and informal occasions. I'm not a hunter, but I wear a Hunting Mackinnon (well maybe I'm hunting for gold when I wear it Dragon Boat paddling...) As the man said, they're just names. Wear and enjoy!