The Ghillie Shirt

[PatrickHughes123]

Wearing a suit with a standard dress shirt unbuttoned (and no necktie) does seem to be a casual approach to smart dress, I agree. But there's an important element here. It's taking standard dress items and "down-dressing" them for a casual look. That is, to me, the definition of smart-casual. I would define it as a more casual way of wearing dress items.

But that's completely different than trying to "up-dress" casual items. A t-shirt with a suit may be popular these days in certain circles, but it comes off as a counter-culture look, not smart-casual. The mixing of a casual t-shirt with a dressy suit is a jab at traditional dress, not simply a relaxation of smart dress. Does that make sense?

And this is where I think the ghillie shirt fits in (or rather doesn't) with smart-casual. It is trying to "up-dress" a folksy style, and the context just doesn't fit. So it comes off looking like a jab at traditionally recognised forms of dress.

Again, if you have chosen this to be your personal style, that's your business. But the perception by others will likely not be that it's smart-casual.

I think everything else on your list could probably fit smart-casual. It's just the shirt choice that seems out of place.

Yes, I understand what you're saying. But I believe this look which I consider to be smart-casual Highland Dress, is a great innovation which doesn't seem to break the conventions of the natural development of the kilt. Who knows, this could be the next stage in its development. Maybe in 50-100 years time, people will be wearing this outfit and it will be referred to as "Smart-casual Highland Dress" and it will co-existent with all the current levels/styles of kilt wear we have today.

[Panache]

Patrick,

Glen and I did this quite a while ago, and while it might not perfectly represent our individual styles now (after all one's personal style can grow and change) it does provide some sort of baseline as to the many ways you can wear the kilt for different levels of formality. This might help you in figuring out some basic guidelines. Take a look:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

The ghillie shirt would fall into the category of "festival wear" like the outfit I have with the pith helmet, being that in the right setting it is quite fun, but certainly not for most other occasions.

Cheers

Jamie

[Manu]

Who knows, this could be the next stage in its development. Maybe in 50-100 years time, people will be wearing this outfit and it will be referred to as "Smart-casual Highland Dress" and it will co-existent with all the current levels/styles of kilt wear we have today.

That's wishful thinking my friend.

[PatrickHughes123]

That's wishful thinking my friend.

It could happen you never know. Who really knows what kilt wear will be like in 100 years time. Plaids will probably be extinct, head wear, basically things that are getting less common currently.

But again, if my sons and grandsons take up wearing the kilt, I'd strongly suggest they do it with a smart, elegant Ghillie Shirt.

[Manu]

It could happen you never know. Who really knows what kilt wear will be like in 100 years time. Plaids will probably be extinct, head wear, basically things that are getting less common currently.

But again, if my sons and grandsons take up wearing the kilt, I'd strongly suggest they do it with a smart, elegant Ghillie Shirt.

Meh, anything is possible. Now, is it likely? Probably not. For all the reasons already explained by many, mostly Tobus, the ghillie shirt is neither smart nor elegant. Does Patrick think so? Yes, but it doesn't make it so.

[PatrickHughes123]

I'd like to state that a belt is completely formal as it is not worn with evening kilt dress. It is only worn in day wear or semi-formal kilt dress but only when without a waistcoat.

[FossilHunter]

I'd like to state that a belt is completely formal as it is not worn with evening kilt dress. It is only worn in day wear or semi-formal kilt dress but only when without a waistcoat.

Dirk belts are appropriate for formal evening dress if worn over a waistcoat (as with a dirk if one is addressing the haggis or a pipe major) or instead of a waistcoat with an argyle jacket.

Here’s one of our members from
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...xamples-85511/

[Tobus]

I'd like to state that a belt is completely formal as it is not worn with evening kilt dress. It is only worn in day wear or semi-formal kilt dress but only when without a waistcoat.

I'm confused by what you're saying. If a belt is "completely formal", it is perfectly appropriate with evening dress.

Typically, certain types of belts are appropriate for daywear, and there is the option of not wearing a belt at all. Other types of belts (the ones with shiny waistplates) are more appropriate for evening dress, but only in certain scenarios. Wearing a belt with waistplate under a waistcoat is a bit of a faux pas, but wearing one over certain types of doublets/jackets are expected. It really just depends on the type of belt, the level of dress, and the type of jacket.

[PatrickHughes123]

I'm confused by what you're saying. If a belt is "completely formal", it is perfectly appropriate with evening dress.

Typically, certain types of belts are appropriate for daywear, and there is the option of not wearing a belt at all. Other types of belts (the ones with shiny waistplates) are more appropriate for evening dress, but only in certain scenarios. Wearing a belt with waistplate under a waistcoat is a bit of a faux pas, but wearing one over certain types of doublets/jackets are expected. It really just depends on the type of belt, the level of dress, and the type of jacket.

I meant to say 'isn't'. My bad!

[FossilHunter]

I don’t think that “smart casual” can be achieved by mixing casual and formal and hoping it averages out.

Black ghillie brogues are regarded as formal shoes, most appropriate for wearing with Prince Charlie jackets and bow ties.

If I were to try to peg the ghillie shirt to a level of formality, it’d probably be equivalent with polo shirts since they share a similar collar arrangement. I wouldn’t wear anything equivalent to black tie with a polo shirt.

If I, and this is just me, were to try and wear a smart outfit using a ghillie shirt, it would probably include brown brogues, a brown belt with brass buckle (not an ornate plate), and a brown pouch like sporran. I’d go for a kind of rural/folk/romantic feel.