The matching of Kilts and accessories.

[Sir Robert]

My opinion which is of course utterly worthless, Is that the dividing line is 5 PM, I get this from US Army manuals/regulations (which are hilariously wrong some times) After 5 PM you do not wear a hat for formal dress uniforms. I assume therefore that during the day one does wear a hat.

Therefore IMVHO during the day one wears a hat and brown accessories, after 5 PM no hat and black accessories.

As for the shoes I match the accessories, obviously Prince Charles does not but I have seen the kilt police jack him up for not wearing the kilt correctly.

The reason for the black shoes at all times may just be that most people in Scotland may not have owned a second pair of shoes and the tradition comes from that.

What you want is to look good. The more formal the gathering the closer I watch tradition and there is a scale of formality and day wear is pretty far down scale meaning good looks trump tradition.

[creagdhubh]

The reason for the black shoes at all times may just be that most people in Scotland may not have owned a second pair of shoes and the tradition comes from that.

I tend to think of it more along the lines of a Scottish Regimental tradition that carried over to civilian Highland dress, as is the case with so many other aspects of Highland attire.

Cheers,

[Sir Robert]

You may be right but because the Highland attire and the Highland Regiments have been swapping humans and fashions back and fourth for centuries now the exact origin is forever blurred. My formal black shoes are leftover dress uniform low quarters from my days as a Soldier.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Thanks creagdhubh for the advice, as my kilt will be more than the minimun for the weave the plaid may not be that much more so I will have everything from the same batch of material??

Since you will have left over fabric, let me suggest that instead of a fly plaid you have a waistcoat made to match your kilt.

[Tobus]

The reason for the black shoes at all times may just be that most people in Scotland may not have owned a second pair of shoes and the tradition comes from that.

"Black shoes at all times" is not a hard-and-fast rule, or even a tradition that's followed by all. Or, if it is, the Scots don't know about it! Here's an example from the Aboyne Highland Games in Aberdeenshire (as posted by Kyle in this thread):



By my count, 4 of the 14 gentlemen in the front row are wearing brown shoes. That's almost a full third of the men wearing brown shoes.

But back on the subject of mixing colours, I really like this photo. Note that none of the sporrans are black:

[mookien]

Since you will have left over fabric, let me suggest that instead of a fly plaid you have a waistcoat made to match your kilt.

A good suggestion. Since it presupposes the need to choose one over the other, I further suggest that you opt for both. A plaid requires about a yard of additional cloth and a waistcoat about 2/3 yard (depending on your size, of course). So, if you don't mind an incremental cost increase, you can do both and enhance the flexibility of your outfit. It's much easier to do at the outset than to add later.

[creagdhubh]

Since you will have left over fabric, let me suggest that instead of a fly plaid you have a waistcoat made to match your kilt.

A most excellent idea, Scott!

[Mike_Oettle]

While having a plaid (a fly plaid or any other kind) and a waistcoat from exactly the same material as the kilt they go with will make for a very handsome outfit, my understanding of Highland dress tradition is that this is not essential.
For example, the Atholl Highlanders parade wearing kilts and plaids that quite noticeably are not from the same dye lots.
And a waistcoat in the same tartan as the kilt, but in a different colour style, is quite acceptable. In fact, I have it in mind to order a waistcoat in Lindsay Muted to go with the Lindsay Modern kilt that I hope to be able to wear by Christmas.
With regard to black and brown leather, South African men generally have both black and brown shoes, and to wear black on more formal occasions. This may have something to do with the brown boots worn by the South African Army. As I have mentioned before, South Africa’s tartan-wearing regiments wear black boots as an exception to the rule.
I tend to wear brown shoes with my brown leather day sporran, and black shoes with my formal sporran.
Sir Robert may, of course, do as he pleases in this regard.
As to headgear, I find that formal occasions often coincide with cold weather, and I must wear a hat outdoors when it is cold. But formal events are generally indoor, so one could wear a bonnet going to the event and take it off once inside. A glengarry is perhaps more suitable for this purpose, since it folds flat, but I will stick with my tam o’shanter.
Regards,
Mike

[super8mm]

Indeed I will, I'll look forward to meeting you there, if you're going!

I am planning on it but I may be camping over at the lake, I'll keep a eye out for you

[super8mm]

A good suggestion. Since it presupposes the need to choose one over the other, I further suggest that you opt for both.

Good Idea mookien, it is a one shot deal to get a 100% match of everyting. I will ask