Less Can Be More

[creagdhubh]

And some more from my collection:












Cheers,

[pbutts]

I can't believe no one has commented on the diced hose and running shoes? ;-)

[Dale Seago]

Many superb examples, and this is another very educational thread. I definitely incline toward a "less is more/keep it simple" approach as already noted. In most "everyday" settings in which I might find myself, if I went totally THCD I would generally find myself not only the only man kilted but the only one wearing a tie or waistcoat unless I were in San Francisco's financial district, and even there waistcoats are not a terribly common sight among men wearing suits.

Similarly, going out to dinner at a nice restaurant no neckties would likely be seen. Here I am at dinner in a pricy Italian restaurant with some of my buyu ("martial friends") at the end of a day thrashing on each other outdoors in the Marin Headlands. My jacket preference is for no epaulettes:





I've noticed that tweed jackets and pullover jumpers are common for casual wear; but something I also like but have almost never seen others wearing is something along the lines of a "casual/outdoor" jacket like this dark navy wool bomber from Filson. (Pic taken in December in Kashiwa, Japan, hence the also nontraditional slip-on shoes: The latter just "work better" over there.)

[TheOfficialBren]

I usually keep to the less-is-more mode of THCD with a contemporary nod, very similar to Dale, actually, especially his photo right above my post.

When snazzing up for swanky-casual I sometimes (not always) I wear a waistcoat over a nice dress shirt (with or without a tie---it's a California thing, guys) minus a jacket. It's he time of yest where no one wears them for any reason (heat) in my neck of the woods.

Shoes are always suited to the occasion, nice shoes for dressing up (appropriate clothes to match the occasion), casual shoes for casual occasions (often nice slip-on leather boots). I NEVER, EVER wear trainers with my kilts, though. If the occasion requires sportswear of any kind then I just wear athletic clothing and leave my kilt at home. If I participated in the Games then that would be an exception...but I don't, so I don't.

ALWAYS wearing proper kilt hose--no exceptions--and NEVER, (I repeat) NEVER scrunched down.

No sgian dubh, no kilt pin.

I feel that I take enough liberties with a slight Southern Californian flair that any more would move further away from THCD than I would be comfortable with.


Simple and understated. That's the way I roll.

[Dale Seago]

Many superb examples, and this is another very educational thread. I definitely incline toward a "less is more/keep it simple" approach as already noted. In most "everyday" settings in which I might find myself, if I went totally THCD I would generally find myself not only the only man kilted but the only one wearing a tie or waistcoat unless I were in San Francisco's financial district, and even there waistcoats are not a terribly common sight among men wearing suits.

Similarly, going out to dinner at a nice restaurant no neckties would likely be seen. Here I am at dinner in a pricy Italian restaurant with some of my buyu ("martial friends") at the end of a day thrashing on each other outdoors in the Marin Headlands. My jacket preference is for no epaulettes:





I've noticed that tweed jackets and pullover jumpers are common for casual wear; but something I also like but have almost never seen others wearing is something along the lines of a "casual/outdoor" jacket like this dark navy wool bomber from Filson. (Pic taken in December in Kashiwa, Japan, hence the also nontraditional slip-on shoes: The latter just "work better" over there.)

Looking at this from a slightly different angle, when wearing a kilt I find I want to "fit in" with the level of attire of those around me. . .and perhaps rise just a little (but not too much!) above it. The pic below was taken at the theatre last night (Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts) as my SO and I were arriving for a play, an innovative musical based on Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest.

It gives a good sense of how most people dress for such events in this upscale northern California community. My own attire on such occasions is generally more like that in the second photo reposted above.

[GG]

... when wearing a kilt I find I want to "fit in" with the level of attire of those around me. . .and perhaps rise just a little (but not too much!) above it.

Exactly what I think, too.

[David Thorpe]

It is a balancing act. A healthy respect for tradition, appropriateness to the venue and occasion, avoidance of standing out too much, and a sense of personal style are all important elements.

As this thread is in the Traditional section, using either a proper kilt or a MUG as a replacement for jeans, cargo shorts, etc. should not even enter into this conversation, IMHO. There is another forum section for that.

[creagdhubh]

It is a balancing act. A healthy respect for tradition, appropriateness to the venue and occasion, avoidance of standing out too much, and a sense of personal style are all important elements.

As this thread is in the Traditional section, using either a proper kilt or a MUG as a replacement for jeans, cargo shorts, etc. should not even enter into this conversation, IMHO. There is another forum section for that.

***

Well said, David.

[GG]

As this thread is in the Traditional section, using either a proper kilt or a MUG as a replacement for jeans, cargo shorts, etc. should not even enter into this conversation, IMHO. There is another forum section for that.

David, I'm not quite sure, I understand you. This thread gives a lot of examples of traditional kilts worn as replacements for jeans etc.
Or am I totally wrong?

[creagdhubh]

I can't believe no one has commented on the diced hose and running shoes? ;-)

He's (Torquil Macpherson) a kid running around, having a good time, so who really cares?