Show us your "Great Kilt" (belted plaid) pictures

[fluter]

Every time I see this picture I think how magnificent it is. I'm assuming that's the Isle of Skye tartan? And did you simply buy a length of tartan from somewhere to achieve this?

Would anyone mind posting some measurements of length and width for the material they are using?

I believe that it's the Albannach tartan from USA Kilts.

My BP is about 54 inches wide, by 5 yards of Celtic Croft's homespun fabric. It's not quite wide enough to make a hood from the fabric in back (I'm just under 6 feet height), but otherwise works fairly well.

[Hamish]

Jamie,

I am afraid I am unable to oblige with a photo. Some nine years ago, I acquired a 'Great Kilt' ............. but wore it only once, and that was at home in front of a full-length mirror. When I saw what an utter idiot I looked whilst wearing it, I vowed never again to wrap myself in it.

Instead, I cut the fabric in half, and had a wearable kilt (No.25 in The Kollection) made up from one piece:

http://www.kiltedhamish.net/gallery/...g2_itemId=1077

The other half was used for my one and only attempt at making a kilt myself, which was a total disaster and was subsequently discarded.

I am not into ren faires or re-enactment groups in any way, shape or form and so, in reality, a 'Great Kilt' has no place in my own life. Others, you certainly included, can look absolutely fine in this style but, as I see it, this is a prime example of the kilt being a costume rather than a practical garment.

Definitely not for me - sorry!

Take care,
Ham.

[MartinGrenoble]

Instead, I cut the fabric in half, and had a wearable kilt garment.

I did the same thing as Ham -- with the same tartan, as it happens -- after fighting with far too many yards of cloth, so heavy and bulky that it was more of a nuisance than an adornment. One thing I found particularly annoying was the way the weight of the part attached to my shoulder dragged my shirt down my back, pulling it quite out of shape if unbuttoned or strangling me if buttoned up.

Here I am wearing it to attack a haggis:
 (the pic has not appeared; it can be seen on Facebook : <http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30066940&id=1148417040>

Later, I too had half the cloth made into a tailored kilt, while the rest I have sometimes worn draped round my shoulders to look as if I were wearing a great kilt; this to show off when MC-ing a ceilidh. The cloak part is then discarded as the evening warms up.

Martin

[fluter]

[I]I did the same thing as Ham -- with the same tartan, as it happens -- after fighting with far too many yards of cloth, ... Later, I too had half the cloth made into a tailored kilt,

Martin, it sounds as though you and Hamish had too much fabric. 4 or 5 double-width yards is about average. If you were trying to work with 7 or 8 yards, then I'm not surprised if it was unwieldy.

[Panache]

Martin, it sounds as though you and Hamish had too much fabric. 4 or 5 double-width yards is about average. If you were trying to work with 7 or 8 yards, then I'm not surprised if it was unwieldy.

My first attempt was using almost 7 1/2 yards of material and I felt like I was "drowning in tartan"

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[Woodsheal]

It's interesting to note that in the early decades of the tailored "little kilt" it was considered a working garment. It was indeed "fatigue" dress in the highland regiments. The belted plaid was the more formal, "dressier" item of highland garb.
Now it's been largely relegated to costume status, though it certainly can still work quite well for formal occasions, as Mr. Killman's photo shows. I believe Matt Newsome also has some pics showing the belted plaid looking great in a "modern" context....

[M. A. C. Newsome]

It's interesting to note that in the early decades of the tailored "little kilt" it was considered a working garment. It was indeed "fatigue" dress in the highland regiments. The belted plaid was the more formal, "dressier" item of highland garb.
Now it's been largely relegated to costume status, though it certainly can still work quite well for formal occasions, as Mr. Killman's photo shows. I believe Matt Newsome also has some pics showing the belted plaid looking great in a "modern" context....

Yes, I do, from a Burns Supper in 2007.

I think that a belted plaid can work in a modern, formal context. But it can be done poorly, as well. Keep in mind that you are taking a garment that really hasn't been part of the contemporary dress for a couple of hundred years and you are trying to incorporate it into modern clothing. Attempts to blend the two can look very elegant, or ridiculous!

Here was my attempt a couple of years ago (taken in my living room before leaving for the Burns Supper):




I was satisfied with how the outfit turned out, but not ideally so. What would I have done different? Ideally, I would rather have paired the great kilt with a more formal doublet, such as a Sheriffmuir or a Montrose. But a black Argyle was what I had, so that's what I wore. I also would have rather worn a more historically themed cravat or jabot (as apporpriate with the doublet), than the modern neck tie you see me wearing. Lastly, I think buckle brogues would have looked better here than ghillies.

Since that time I have acquired some of those things -- buckle brogues, a nice silk cravat, etc. Still don't have a Sheriffmuir -- yet!

But I have also since that time turned that belted plaid into a nice tailored kilt! :-)

(You can see the buckle brogues and cravat in this picture).

I do also have a "half belted-plaid" that I can wear with my Carolina kilt to give the impression of a great kilt. My Carolina kilt is a tailored, four yard, box pleated kilt. But when worn with the half plaid it does really look rather like a great kilt. (See my blog post for more background and pics).

Here I am wearing it to a Burns Supper in Atlanta last year (with my lovely wife).


On my blog posting you can see it being worn in a less formal context. I think it looks fine, if a bit theatrical. I certainly don't wear it every day! But if you want a plaid that mimics the look of the older great kilt, this is the way to go.

[Hamish]

Martin, it sounds as though you and Hamish had too much fabric. 4 or 5 double-width yards is about average. If you were trying to work with 7 or 8 yards, then I'm not surprised if it was unwieldy.

Mine was 6 yards, double-width, 13oz. However, it was not the weight or bulk that worried me but the overall appearance. At the time of ordering, I thought I would be the absolute bee's knees when wearing it - unfortunately, in reality, I was not even close to the gnat's knees!

No offence is intended but I am sorry I do not really think these look 'right' or are flattering to anyone (especially me) unless they are an extra in 'Brigadoon' or 'Braveheart', or are taking part in an historical pageant. Accessories such as modern haircuts, reading glasses and watches do nothing to improve matters either!

Oooops! Now I probably have offended some of my good friends here!

Take care,
Ham.

[Redshank]

No offence is intended but I am sorry I do not really think these look 'right' or are flattering to anyone (especially me) unless they are an extra in 'Brigadoon' or 'Braveheart', or are taking part in an historical pageant. Accessories such as modern haircuts, reading glasses and watches do nothing to improve matters either!

Oooops! Now I probably have offended some of my good friends here!

Take care,
Ham.

my thoughts exactly Hamish, I am glad you voiced them, or I might have been accused of being rude again

[MartinGrenoble]

At the time of ordering, I thought I would be the absolute bee's knees when wearing it - unfortunately, in reality, I was not even close to the gnat's knees!
.

Snap !

We obviously thought -- and think -- along the same lines, Ham.

Martin