An experiment

**Sir Didymous** · 27th April 13, 06:18 PM

I have always preferred to wear historical clothing over modern any day. However there are some occasions where historical attire simply isn’t an option. I have therefore endeavored to seek an acceptable middle ground. Here is one of those attempts. In this picture I am wearing a modern shirt and tie with a box pleated philabeg. The kilt belt is a modern one as are the shoes. I have a semi-formal sporran in the works but it wasn’t ready for this picture. I am using some leather laces in place of flashes, and the waistcoat is from an 1803 American civilian portrayal I used to do before I moved to earlier reenactment periods. My first experience with kilts was with a belted plaid and I have since grown rather fond of the utilitarian aspects of it. Thus the use of a day plaid seemed like the next best thing, I have used one of my smaller belted plaids folded as a day plaid but have opted out of fringing it. I’m sure that decision will be considered improper, but I have never really cared for fringe.
So does anyone have any thoughts or opinions?

**O'Searcaigh** · 27th April 13, 06:26 PM

Hmmm....my first thought and opinion -- there's no picture!

**Sir Didymous** · 27th April 13, 06:37 PM

Having some issues getting the picture down to size.

**Tim Little** · 27th April 13, 06:54 PM

I like the unique style, but to me the belt and the tie look out of place. I'd lose the belt and go with a bow tie, personally.

**unixken** · 27th April 13, 06:55 PM

Although the colors work well together, the shoulder plaid is meant to suggest/imitate/simulate the shouldered portion of the great kilt, which was one long single piece of fabric. Ergo, shouldn't the plaid be the same tartan as the kilt?

**Sir Didymous** · 27th April 13, 07:16 PM

The belt is actually used to help hold up the kilt because I lost weight before the kilt was finished. My seamstress is new to kilt making and is trying to figure out how to take them in. I'd recommend a search on here, but computer literacy isn't her forte. Once it's been taken in I will most likely lose the belt. As to the day plaid, here's a link to a thread where I asked the same question.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-plaids-77699/

**unixken** · 27th April 13, 07:30 PM

Well that thread you linked to certainly answered my question about tartans matching (or not) between the plaid and the kilt.

As for helping your seamstress get up to speed on altering kilts by a more "analog" means, it would be worth giving her a copy of Barb and Elsie's book.

**CMcG** · 28th April 13, 06:38 AM

I think that look has a bit of old school flavour, but doesn't look too historical, which meets your objectives. There are, however, a few things you could do to tune it up and good for you for asking for constructive criticism

Go for a wider (at least 2") belt and hurry up with that sporran you're working on. Hike up your kilt so we can see more knee and polish your shoes.

I'm no expert on day plaids, but go back to that thread you posted and look at the way people wear them. The way you have it folded looks too small and I don't think people usually tuck them into their belt... either wrap it diagonally across your torso (over one arm, under the other) or else let it hang freely over one shoulder.

**Wil** · 28th April 13, 07:02 AM

hmmmmmmmmm........ Please do not take this personal but here are my thoughts.
1. Lose the plaid pin and 1. wrap the plaid around you or 2. let it hang in the front a little lower. It draws a lot of atten away from your kilt
2. Lose the tie or put on a jacket on with the waistcoat
3. Polish the shoes (they are a bet dusty)
4. Wider bealt
5. Sporran, where's it at? Get one
6. Your kilt is too low, pull it up. Wear it about 1/2~1 inch above your belly button
7. SMILE