Article: "Rebel army – The latest kilt trends and ideas"

[CMcG]

I stumbled across an interesting article today about up-to-date men's outfits for Scottish weddings. It's from the website of a Glasgow-based magazine called The Best Scottish Weddings and was posted in 2013.

The link is below and the article contains images, but the thesis is: "honour your heritage on your wedding day by wearing something time-honoured with a contemporary spin." The idea of a modern interpretation of traditional style has often been discussed around this site. I'm interested to see what people have to say about this particular set of prescriptions and examples? I'd also be happy to read people's thoughts on the general concept of contemporary spin on THCD in the specifically nuptial context.

The author, Sarah Gillespie, has several suggestions:
- alternative types of fabrics
- extra bold pops of colour
- kilt suits in either tartan, checks, or solid colours
- monochromaticism

She also quotes Howie Nicholsby of 21scenturykilts fame regarding kilts worn on the hip, not the waist, and sporrans being optional if the kilt has pockets. Personally, I would prefer hidden pockets for something more formal like a wedding, rather than Howie's external front pockets, which look a bit utilitarian to me. She also shows a "kilt flap" marketed by Slanj, which is designed to allow guys to prove they are "true Scotsmen," while maintaining a modicum of decency

Looking at the outfits, some of them still appear quite traditional and would pass as such in the blink of an eye at 20 paces. Others push the envelope a bit more...

http://bestscottishweddings.com/groo...nds-and-ideas/

[ASinclair]

Colin you're always stirring the pot. It's not for me, but as Mr. Spock would day, "Fascinating."

[Jock Scot]

Well I scrolled down fairly quickly to simulate the twenty yards blink of an eye thing, and not one of outfits qualified as THCD to my eyes. Generally speaking, kilts too low and hose too high, windsock flashes , ruche(is that how you spell it?) ties, wing collars, large tie knots, plus boots, scrunched hose, pockets too. All seen in only one scroll down and I will now go back for another look, but I do not see THCD there at first glance. "Glasgow trendy" is how I would generally describe the outfits and that is absolutely fine, if that is what you want.

[Dughlas mor]

I noticed a couple of outfits that looked vaguely THCD at first glance, but not at closer inspection. Didn`t see anything that I found particularly appealing. What is with those ruche ties, anyway?

[CMcG]

Thanks for the replies so far. Let's try to focus on substantive issues of style and accessories, rather than the minutiae of fit and finish that are easy fixes for kilt devotees, like showing more knee and less flashes.

FYI "ruche" is just a four-in-hand knot used on a cravat. Would a different knot be better? Or is there some problem with cravats?

If none of the author's suggestions or the pictured looks are for you, I'd be interested to know why? Is that in general or just this context?

As for more traditional looks, see first image, two guys on the right. Also for THCD-esqe at first glance, the chap in the windowpane check kilt suit about halfway down the page. Perhaps the fellow on the left in the "pop of bright colour section," if that is a full-mask sporran and not an evening sporran worn with daywear...

[Jock Scot]

Brown shoes at a wedding? No thank you.

The first chap on the right(can't really see the fellow behind).Is a tweed kilt suit traditional to get married in? I think not. I personally would not call his jacket traditionally cut either.

The fellow with the fox sporran, well its not bad, but his jacket is neither fish nor fowl in my eyes, its more like a bad third world version of a hacking jacket that is far too short for being one, but sadly they have not adapted it for the sporran.He could also do with a lower cut collar on his shirt too.

Nothing wrong with a cravat, provided that it is put on properly. Are those really cravats? Hmm, I am not so sure and those wing collar things don't help the look either.

So overall, when added to my initial observations, THCD they never will be. So far the 20 yard, blink of an eye test has not failed me yet between first and second looks. It matters not one jot of course, if you like what you see in the pictures.

[Highlander31]

Interesting. Not anything I would wear.

The yellow sporran with the black balls reminds me of a smiley face.

[Tarheel]

Colin you're always stirring the pot. It's not for me, but as Mr. Spock would day, "Fascinating."

Or, as the Pythons would say, "Now for something totally different."

[OC Richard]

In this photo, I only care for the two right-most gents.

To me, the size and shape of the pockets doesn't work with the rest of the outfit.

And what's the deal with those brown boots? They have a load of those evidently.

I'm pretty sure this photo has been around for longer than 2013.



I like this much better (the clothes, not necessarily how they're worn). I like the bold juxtaposition of colour.



The outfit on the left is unspeakably ghastly. On the right, I think I've seen the Chili Pipers wear such.



About these? Meh. I love colour too much to like monochromatic outfits.



Now to step back from the images in that article, to a pic of a friend who piped at another friend's wedding a few years ago.

It shows an interesting take on things, perhaps more traditional than the things above (well, there's the dreaded Ruche tie).

I just don't get the Ruche tie thing. Why are they so popular in Scotland? I can't recall seeing one here (except the guy below, who probably bought his in Scotland)



Here's some of the oddest kits I've seen, as strange as possible given the cut of everything is traditional

[Dughlas mor]

Ah, CMcG, So you want me to string together some cogent thoughts, eh. Well, I haven`t been into kilt wearing for too long, and most of what I know I have learned from this wonderful site, and from observations made at events like Highland Games. So far, I am very much drawn to the traditional, with some exceptions. Yes, I think that a cravat, tied with whatever knot, is too much tie. With a four in hand it looks ridiculous to me. The guy in the windowpane suit looks pretty good, though I don`t care at all for the sporran. That would be one of my exceptions, I think that a well cut "kilt suit" looks just fine, though I don`t think I would want to wear one. I have nothing against a more modern style of jacket, such as those offered by Freedom Kilts, the Kilt Kut, I believe. In fact, when I eventually spring for one, it will likely be in that style. I guess the "pop of color" fellow looks pretty good, really. I don`t care for the boots in the second photo, nor for the ghillie brogues that a lot of them are wearing. I don`t suppose that the red and yellow sporrans are even worthy of comment. On the whole, everything looks just a bit too trendy for my taste, though some of it doesn`t look too bad, to my eye. As for the commando flap, if that`s the way you roll, at least it will help preserve your kilt.