my favourite topic. Dress codes.

[gazbot]

Hello,

I am to be kilted in a few weeks time in London. I have no events or functions planned just thought it may be nice to get the tartan out. What would be more appropriate my tweed jacket and waistcoat with daywear accesories or my black argyll with dress sporran. I know it may seem straight forward as i will be out in the day but my alternative non celtic wear would be lounge suit and i do try to follow the never wear brown in town rule when in non celtic gear! I know anything goes, and we all have our opinions just intetested to see which way general opinion sways.

[tripod]

Well it depends on what you're doing.

Personally if you've no formal functions leave the argyll etc at home. Day casual, wear a jumper. Anything smarter wear the tweed for day or evening.

In my view you're not in fancy dress you're just wearing a kilt, don't go overboard.

[Jock Scot]

I know that I am probably swimming against the tide here, but personally I would not wear the kilt in London, unless I had a kilted event to attend. Even then, I would think thrice about it and still would probably not wear the kilt there. But that's me.

The main problem you will have, is that the majority of Southerners, who know absolutely nothing about kilt attire do not know that a tweed kilt jacket is lounge/business suit equivalent and will assume, quite wrongly of course, that you are incorrectly attired.

We would hope and expect that the general public will keep their thoughts to themselves -------it won't stop them from thinking AND drawing the wrong conclusion though. For me, that actually matters.

[thecompaqguy]

In London, folks do generally keep their thoughts to themselves, they probably won't be occupied by the same kilt protocol we adhere to so much here, people will look because it's different, but as a nice change (people are quite used to seeing that Indian kilted chef on the BBC, I forget his name), people might want their photo taken with you (especially tourists who love the kilt), and aside from ignorant individuals (usually in groups) saying something about your "skirt" (more likely to Tweet it or make a Vine), there's not much to worry about. Wear the kilt as you would some smart jeans, for me, that's boots, scrunched-down hose, casual jumper, or a tweed waistcoat (depending on weather).

It's nice to sometimes stand out from the sea of jeans and be kilted, but I would not get too worried about what others would think if they ever dared to voice their opinion. For every two or three who don't like your kilt, there's loads more that love it!

My Mrs has just categorically told me she hates kilts compared to her traditional West African dress. I can't figure that one out either, but life is too short to worry. There's loads of women who do like the kilt and I do get admiration, to her chagrin, when I am kilted.

Those who matter won't mind, and those who mind don't matter

[Jack Daw]

I appreciate Jock Scot's opinion, and I'm tickled at the term "Southerners" regarding Londoners. And, I think I may understand Mr. Scot's concern. But, in MHO, go about as you please. You are your own boss regarding dress.

[kilted scholar]

I grew up in London and visit it now regularly. I have no hesitation in wearing the kilt there. If I have no function to attend I wear a sweater not a jacket (personally I avoid jackets unless there is a compelling reason for one).

London is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. In central London almost every language spoken by humans is heard on the streets. It is a microcosm of the world. In London Muslims wear their distinctive clothing, Sikhs their turbans, and others whatever they wish; it amazes me that anyone would even think it out of order for a kilt to be worn.

So wear it in an understated way.

[HarveyH]

The main problem you will have, is that the majority of Southerners, who know absolutely nothing about kilt attire do not know that a tweed kilt jacket is lounge/business suit equivalent and will assume, quite wrongly of course, that you are incorrectly attired.

I wear kilt in London a lot of the time, mostly with what Joch describes (I think rightly) as day-wear; that is tweed jackets of some kind or sometimes just with pull-over or waistcoat. I have only ever had compliments and tourist photo requests. Even at its most casual the kilt still looks smarter than most other casual dress. Where I really do agree is that there is never a reason to wear a black argyle and associated 'formal' dress unless you were attending a formal (and probably evening) event (UK black-tie or equivalent) - If you only had a black argyle, I'd say leave it at home and just come in shirt sleeves or pull-over .

As for the Town and Country rules of the late 19th and early 20th century (brown in town). Tweed has been revitalized by the likes of Patrick Grant and is now seen 'fashionable' to wear anytime and definitely in town.

[Jock Scot]

Hello Harvey, I wonder if the tweed fashion in town is a younger generation thing, or is it across the board? In another life many moons ago, I used to spend a bit of time in London and my friends when they saw me in my tweed sports jacket used to ask in a good natured way, "off catching rats again Jock?"

[HarveyH]

Two separate factors have made tweed trendy, at the younger end, the adoption of a tweed jacket by the previous Dr Who incarnation has led to a huge shift in the styling and wearing of jackets - some of the high street shops openly acknowledged Dr Who as inspiration. But the second is the documented work of Patrick Grant and some others to save Harris Tweed, finding new markets e.g. : Porsche, Nike and bringing the wonders of the cloth to the attention of a wole new generation of fashion designers.

[Father Bill]

The main problem you will have, is that the majority of Southerners, who know absolutely nothing about kilt attire do not know that a tweed kilt jacket is lounge/business suit equivalent and will assume, quite wrongly of course, that you are incorrectly attired.

We would hope and expect that the general public will keep their thoughts to themselves -------it won't stop them from thinking AND drawing the wrong conclusion though. For me, that actually matters.

Precisely why I sometimes feel pressure to over-dress a wee bit here in Canada.