How "Minimalist" Are You...???

[Graham]

Blu, I know it's been said a hundred times before, but for me everything comes down to situation/occassion and weather.

[Blu (Ontario)]

... For everyday wear though, I wear hose, flashes, kiltpin, belt, and sporran. I generally wear polo shirts now, because think they go better with the kilt than t-shirts.

With the exception of the sporran, I have pretty much always worn the first 4 items on your list. I've thought about dispensing with the belt and big buckle for some occasions. It's been part of my "security blanket" for a long time. It's common practice I believe, to dispense with the belt if wearing a waistcoat anyway. (Although I don't own one.) I totaly agree with the polo shirt idea. If I wear a tee-shirt these days, it's with (yeccchhh!) blue jeans.

blu

[Ugly Bear]

For me: top, socks, belt and steel-toed boots. I'll wear underwear only if it's cold or if I know I'm going to be around small children.

I also have a sporran. I'll always wear the sporran with my MacGregor, which I don't wear too often. I get more mileage out of the sporran with my casual kilts. The sporran has two clips on short chains that I use to attach it to the D-rings on certain kilts -- each of my Pittsburgh Kilts, my USAKilt and my AmeriKilt have D-rings. So I'll wear it if I need more storage space.

[Blu (Ontario)]

Blu, I know it's been said a hundred times before, but for me everything comes down to situation/occassion and weather.

Does this mean that you would dispense with the belt and sporran from time to time. Graham?

So far, with a kilt I have never worn tennis/running shoes, sandals and no socks, or ankle length socks or shorter. Don't like the look at all. As for the kilt however, I'm beginning to think that it is capable of standing on its own without the trappings... if they're not needed. Up to this point in time... I've always worn a belt. Am I being disrespectful in any way by leaving it off? It does get uncomfortable sometimes.

blu

[Graham]

Does this mean that you would dispense with the belt and sporran from time to time. Graham?

Blu, if I go outdoors I need to carry my 'stuff', that nearly always means a belt and sporran/bumbag.

Mostly I use a bumbag, they are more practical, if I want to look a wee bit smarter or more traditional - it's a sporran.

[Blu (Ontario)]

For me: top, socks, belt and steel-toed boots.... I'll always wear the sporran with my MacGregor, which I don't wear too often. I get more mileage out of the sporran with my casual kilts....

There appears to be different rules of thumb for modern/casual and traditional/tartan attire. The modern/casualists are re-writing the book so to speak... or at least making significant addenda. It's obvious that this is having a "spill over" effect on some of the traditionalists... like me.

[Rob]

I am currently wearing my kilt with belt/buckle, a black T-shirt (tucked-in) and rolled down kilt hose (without shoes when indoors, as it lets my feet breathe). That is about as casual (minimalist) as I ever get. I always wear my belt, because I think the kilt looks unbalanced without it, and I almost always leave the kilt pin in, as perpetually taking it off and putting it back on not only weakens the pin clip, but it also adds to the wear and tear on the kilt apron.

Rob (the casual version)

[Blu (Ontario)]

[quote="Graham"]

... Mostly I use a bumbag, they are more practical, if I want to look a wee bit smarter or more traditional - it's a sporran.

I have to admit, Graham, After I saw your bumbag, I went out and bought one. Didn't wear it for a long time but I've started to recently. I've been wearing it mine off to one side rather than up front. It's roomy and quite practical. I'm looking for a different belt now. I admit I'm still a tiny bit squeemish about dispensing with a belt completely.

blu

[Blu (Ontario)]

... I almost always leave the kilt pin in, as perpetually taking it off and putting it back on not only weakens the pin clip, but it also adds to the wear and tear on the kilt apron. Rob (the casual version)

Excellent points! I've purchased pins for each kilt for that very reason.

[Graham]

Blu, talking of slipping the bum bag to the side (which I do also), when you get a sporran with a strap and not chain, fix it so the sporran slides on the strap. This allows you to slip the sporran round to the hip in some situations - like driving a car, I find it gets in the way of the steering wheel.