Kilt Debut: Christmas & Anniversary

**Guinness>water** · 29th December 11, 01:13 PM

You look very nice and I'm glad you had a good time wearing the kilt. The more you wear it the better it (everything) gets.

**denmcdough** · 29th December 11, 01:50 PM

Excellent! I, too, love the claret hose with your kilt.

**gary meakin** · 29th December 11, 02:56 PM

Put together very well.
I love the pin. It's great when things like that fall into place.

**Panache** · 29th December 11, 04:26 PM

I think you look splendid.

As for a lack of garters (or flashes) and sgian dubh I wouldn't think twice about it had I seen you at some event. As a matter of fact if I would assume it was a deliberate choice to do away with some of the excess flash than can dominate highland attire. Just because you can wear a bit of kit doesn't mean you have to. I have friends that dislike kilt belts and forgo them and look just fine. Other friends see no need for flashes/garters and give them a skip and also look fine. Very few people will notice or care if you wear or don't wear a sgian dubh. Again I know those that don't bother with one for a variety of reasons and look...you guessed it! ...just fine!

Your simple black sporran, well fitted argyll, matching hose, tie, and pocket square nicely frame without detracting from the tartan. Your outfit has an understated elegance to it and you should be very pleased with your appearance. I especially like the one with the claret accents.

If I were to offer one small suggestion, it would be that as a new kilt wearer you should note that sometimes the fabric of the front apron can ride up or pucker behind the sporran and strap/chain. This is easily fixed with a quick adjustment of the sporran or sporran strap.

May I also offer my congratulations to you and your lovely wife on so many wonderful years together.

Cheers

Jamie

**FatherWilliam57** · 6th January 12, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

Your simple black sporran, well fitted argyll, matching hose, tie, and pocket square nicely frame without detracting from the tartan. Your outfit has an understated elegance to it and you should be very pleased with your appearance. I especially like the one with the claret accents.

If I were to offer one small suggestion, it would be that as a new kilt wearer you should note that sometimes the fabric of the front apron can ride up or pucker behind the sporran and strap/chain. This is easily fixed with a quick adjustment of the sporran or sporran strap.

May I also offer my congratulations to you and your lovely wife on so many wonderful years together.

Cheers

Jamie

Thank you, Jamie, most kind. In adjusting the sporran, is this a matter of wearing it higher or lower, or simply a matter of loosening or tightening the strap?

**Panache** · 6th January 12, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by WBHenry

Thank you, Jamie, most kind. In adjusting the sporran, is this a matter of wearing it higher or lower, or simply a matter of loosening or tightening the strap?

It is simply a matter of as you move (stand up, sit down, walk, etc) that the material of the fron apron can bunch behind the sporran. A quick small lift of the sporran (or the ends of the sporran strap where they meet the sporran) allow the fabric to fall back into place. You will also find as you wear your kilt more frequently that it and /or a kilt belt can slide down a bit or turn on your hips a little. A quick adjustment to pull them up or center them will guarantee you will look your best.

Something that I note about infrequent or very new kilt wearers is that once they put on their kilt they don't really adjust it during the course of the wearing. So by the end of an event they wind up with sagging or twisted kilts and belts. This looks rather unkempt and is easily avoided.

Perhaps the best analogy (if you are a Star Trek fan anyway

) is the "Picard Maneuver" when the character would stand a always give a quick tug to his uniform tunic to ensure it was straight.

In truth given a choice between a fellow wearing all the finest handmade highland attire in the world in a really sloppy and careless manner and another gentleman wearing inexpensive kilt and kit neatly. The second gentleman is going to look better.

Sometimes it's just the way that you use it

Cheers

Jamie

**FatherWilliam57** · 6th January 12, 10:24 AM

Well aware of the "Picard Maneuver," Jaime! (Seems to me Kirk only adjusted his tunic after a fight, after a woman, or when he was embarrassed, but I digress...)

So, the front apron is going to rise up no matter what, it's just a matter of adjusting it from time to time (especially when the wife is taking a picture). Like checking the length of your shirt cuff under your jacket. Got it. Thanks!