Quote Originally Posted by arrogcow
I have to be honest, but I don't think wearing a great kilt to a formal event is proper. I have a great kilt, and the only place I wear it is to the Renn faire.

Great kilt is a historical piece of clothing. Would you wear a powdered wig and knee breeches to a wedding? A toga to Chruch? I think that the same applies to a gret kilt.

Just my opinion,

Adam
Would you wear a modern kilt with ghillies or a sgian doubh? A lot of the accessories worn with a kilt today are historical in nature (albeit Victorian historical), and serve little to no practical use other then looking good (like kilt pins and flashes). Just because something is historical in nature doesn't make it innappropriate for daily wear.

However, it is another thing to look silly. Since a great kilt hasn't been worn commonly since the tailored kilt took over, it is harder to introduce new fashion innovations. Also, there are mistaken ideas floating around about the kilt. Braveheart, for example, has a lowland Scot wearing a kilt circa 1300. Often you see guys at fairs wearing a great kilt accessorized as if it were an ancient viking garment. To get a more historically accurate idea of what was worn and when, watch Rob Roy (a better film then Braveheart too, IMHO).

By all means wear a great kilt if you like but be careful of a few things. Be practical. If you wear a great kilt in 90 degree weather you'll make people uncomfortable. A scot would have probably separated his great kilt and just worn the bottom half in very hot weather anyways. You can be historical but try not to be too anachronistic (like great kilt and viking boots) or too accurate (like a poor shoeless scotsman straight off a movie set).