The Ghillie Shirt

[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 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.

[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.

[Tobus]

I cringe at the memory of first photo of the outfit I posted on XMTS...

Luckily I read a lot, listened to the good advice of the more experienced, looked at all the photos and came up with looks that worked for me.

There really are no wrong first steps on a journey. Far better to get moving and learn as you go rather than just stand there and never go anywhere!

Agreed.

And just to show Patrick that he's not the only one who has been down this path, I'll go ahead and post this cringe-worthy photo of my first kilt outfit. My thoughts at the time, being brand-new to wearing the kilt, were very similar to Patrick's. I genuinely thought that white hose and a ghillie shirt were correct and proper. Why? Because that's what I kept seeing advertised at kilt shops! It didn't take long before the more knowledgeable people here set me on a different path, and I am eternally grateful for their guidance, even if it was somewhat embarrassing along the way. It took a while for things to sink in and for me to develop a new internal image of what makes a kilt look distinguished or well-presented.

The second photo is fairly representative of what I wear nowadays when I put on the kilt for a Highland Games or other occasions where "smart daywear" seems appropriate.

This just shows where I started and where I've ended up. Everyone will end up somewhere different, based on their own personal style. But it is interesting that so many people start at the same place (white hose and ghillie shirt, thanks to generic marketing devices). I look forward to seeing how Patrick's style changes over time as he discovers the world beyond stark white shirts/hose, and starts exploring the many other options.

[Taskr]

Tobus, are you sure you weren't a model for some of those shops back in the day Unfortunate we don't see more representations of "nowadays" on those sites.

Patrick, this is what I meant by wearing a boot instead of ghillie brogues. There's something about a boot instead of a shoe that brings the look into "rustic and romantic". I'll see if I can find a pic of the boot I found at an incredibly reduced sale price.

[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!

[Lady Grey]

I’ve sat back being rather bemused for 18 pages.
So here’s my input ... take it or leave it.

Patrick
You love your Ghillie Shirt and wearing it with your other accessories and that’s fine.
However you don’t wear it well.
My comment has nothing to do the historical accuracy or all the other suggestions/disagreements that you have received.
It has to do with being well dressed and stylish. (Something that anyone can learn)

The way you present in your ghillie shirt and kilt just doesn’t suit your age, build, height and colouring. There is no visually pleasing balance or proportion in your look, hence the reason for some of the flack you are receiving here.

So first off I suggest you get some style books for men. (Most local libraries have them)
What Not To Wear & Queer Eye For The Straight Guy both have excellent, timeless advice specifically for men that will help you find what works for your body shape and colouring no matter what the type of attire is.

My suggestions (again, take them or leave them)
- proportions and balance ....This is where you fail hugely
- Get some Dark socks. The white just cuts your height in half and makes your calves look huge instead of shapely. Dark socks with the Ghillie Brouges will elongate your figure and balance the look.
- Get a Dark Ghillie Shirt. I would actually suggest dying the one you have along with the socks at the same time (you seem to like matchy matchy so it’s a cost effective way to improve your look)
- Again the darker colour(s) will look lovely with your colouring of pale skin and red hair.
- A dark green is my suggestion. Pale colours near your face just washes you out and makes you look pasty.
- Take out the laces and wear the collar open if you insist on a ghillie Shirt.
- At present... a laced up shirt with your neck beard just does not work proportionally as your neck is totally missing when viewed with the shirt laced up.
- Now I love red hair and a beard but the neck beard doesn’t suit the shirt style. Try a goatee style or chin style. I think you have nice broad shoulders but we can’t see them because your proportions are not balanced by your clothing and facial hair choices.
- The aim is to to look sleek and well put together. The closed neck, dropped shoulder line and full puffy sleeves of a Ghillie Shirt just shortens you overall, making your shoulders, chest and torso look like a square.
- The Ghillie Shirt style is not a great choice for your figure ( nor is it for me - my lumps and bumps are just in different places -lol) but if you wish wear it you need to adapt it to suit you.
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- You wear the clothes The clothes don’t wear You!
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- Roll up the sleeves to just below the elbow to balance the fullness of the sleeve at the cuff as it’s making you look wider.
- Layer a below hip length casual vest or Gillet in a dark colour over the top of the shirt to balance out the width of your upper body. Then add the plaid if you must.
- Experiment with styling the plaid, to find a style that suits your figure not what you’ve seen in pictures.
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Try it! It’s only clothes and you may be surprised how a few little changes will lift your appearance to Fabulous!
It’s a learned skill...