The Ghillie Shirt

[Baeau]

We just got home from the Pleasanton Gathering. Browsing through the many peddlers, sellers, & one XMTS Partner, Ghillie Shirts we’re in abundance. Some had them tagged as traditional. Two, had signs offering them as costumes.

Back to, “it depends upon ones point of view”.

[PatrickHughes123]

If someone came up to you and asked where are your Buccaneers what would your response be?

I'd say "I'm not a pirate! I'm wearing Highland Dress!".

[PatrickHughes123]

But would you wear your Ghillie shirt with jeans, khakis or a blazer?

If it’s “just a shirt” and not a bit of costume, seems like it should be versatile...

SM

I wouldn't. For the following reasons;

(1) - I'd like to keep it in good condition for my kilt.
(2) - It's not really in my fashion sense to wear it with other types of clothing.

I suit a kilt better than normal clothes by the way, weird that.

[PatrickHughes123]

I posted much earlier of the popular "Ponderosa Shirt of the sixties, also referred to as the HIPPIE Shirt.



Little Joe work a shirt similar to the Ghillie shirt. Several cowboys, including Nick Adams of the Series Johnny Yuma the Rebel wore one, and even Steve McQueen work one. Typical Costume shirt of the fifties and sixties, not just for Pirates anymore.....;;





Does this look familiar, markets and Laced up Range Shirt




Patrick all we are saying the Ghillie shirt is not a Scottish traditional shirt, more Wild West or Pirate than Scottish, and yes more of a costume look.

Okay, still though. I would say it was simply more 60s fashion than a costume shirt, just fashion, that's all. Not a costume.

[PatrickHughes123]

Tobus,

I've made some changes to the outfit, what do you think?



Better? Worse? Do I look smarter? Do I look more ridiculous?

I put the hose lower and the kilt higher again? Does it look good?

[Panache]

Tobus,

I've made some changes to the outfit, what do you think?



Better? Worse? Do I look smarter? Do I look more ridiculous?

I put the hose lower and the kilt higher again? Does it look good?

Patrick,

You have asked for opinions and I shall give you mine

I state this without any malice or intent to insult. I look at your photo and the thing that comes to mind is that you are a first time kilt wearer who picked up all his kit either in a package deal or at the same shop all at once without a lot of experience.

The simplest way to improve your outfit would be to exchange the ghillie shirt with a white regular dress shirt and a nice solid color tie. You are wearing a dress sporran on a chain, along with a belt with a chromed waist plate, and a pair of black ghillie brogues and these items really are for a more dressed up look. White kilt hose are a fairly modern thing and in my opinion they work best with a dressier look than a casual one (and not a historical inspired outfit).

If you are really fond of the ghillie shirt then you should go for things that work with a more romantic / historically inspired look.

Below I am wearing one of my swashbuckling "poofy" shirts. Things that I think work work well with it are:

The simple roller buckle wide belt
The historical inspired bag-style sporran with leather straps
The dark colored hose

And let's be honest...the basket hilt backsword absolutely completes the romantic highlander look



I have worn this sort of outfit to Scottish Country Dances (minus the sword...never bring a sword to a SCD event unless you are prepared to do a highland sword dance!) and felt good about how I looked. The shirts are comfortable, and who doesn't want to be a bit of a romantic highlander at a dance?

Whether or not you continue to wear these shirts casually about is your choice. I have offered a few suggestions here that will at least bring a romantic historically inspired outfit together instead of being a mishmash of styles and levels of formality.


Cheers

Jamie

[Manu]

Tobus,

I've made some changes to the outfit, what do you think?



Better? Worse? Do I look smarter? Do I look more ridiculous?

I put the hose lower and the kilt higher again? Does it look good?

I think raising your kilt and lowering the top of the kilt hose is a great start, and Panache has given you great advice on how to wear that style of shirt. He is one of the few people I have seen pulling the look well. Like Panache said, if you're going for a romanticized highlander look, go 100% for that look. Keep it up buddy!

[Luke MacGillie]

I'd say "I'm not a pirate! I'm wearing Highland Dress!".

The patience of Master Yoda must have I

[MNlad]

I have to agree with Panache. The ghillie shirt has a place, not in traditional highland wear, but in a romanticized setting. This photo was taken at a local Renaissance fair a couple of years ago and later Photoshopped. In that setting it goes beautifully with a kilt. The only look? NO. But one of many looks, YES.

[Ivor]

Better? Worse? Do I look smarter? Do I look more ridiculous?

Your outfit looks pretty good to me, Patrick but I'm no expert. The only thing I would say is you might need a jacket now the colder weather is coming.