Complete the outfit

[Bugbear]

Got to say, like everyone else, get hose and a daywear sporran. I have the Lewis hose from the STM; you can't go wrong with those.

* and I'll add that, if you are able, the DIY angle can do wonders for a budget. Keep in mind you are paying yourself for the labor, and calling it even in that case. *

[DWFII]

Look for a nice used Harris tweed sports coat that you can convert to a kilt jacket. You don't even need to do all the piped gauntlets, epaulettes, or even silver/pewter buttons. In a nice neutral colour such as some of the rich browns or even a charcoal, you'd have the makings of a nice dinner ensemble. Wear black or brown leather accessories and any black or brown (hopefully matching your sporran and belt) dress shoes will work fine.

I'm converting a green-grey Harris tweed jacket and I'm in way over my head, but as long as I don't get too fancy I can pretty much see what needs to be done.

For what? $15.00? you can end up with something that would probably cost at least ten times that much and is very very credible.

BTW, don't dismiss doing some of this yourself---making a belt is dead easy. I got a 2-1/2" brass buckle from Ocannee (sp?) for $15.00 and the belt blank itself for a little more. I made myself a brown one and a black one. The black one was the hardest as it has a big semi-dressy pewter buckle and I had to do some figuring and wire bending to make it work. But the over all cost was still below $75.00 (with the buckle costing two-thirds of that.)

I also made both of my sporrans...The brown one right from the pages of Thompson's book and the goat hair dress sporran from my own imagination.

And if you look at some of the vintage photos, you can see a whole range of options throughout time. That gives you options--for example, a good many people would shudder to add a non-matching waistcoat to a kilt jacket but it was done all the time in times past. There's actually a whole lot of flexibility that comes with honouring Traditional conventions.

[Panache]

Look for a nice used Harris tweed sports coat that you can convert to a kilt jacket. You don't even need to do all the piped gauntlets, epaulettes, or even silver/pewter buttons.

I would add that beyond adding extra expense and effort, the silver/fancy buttons don't look as good with a tweed jacket as simple ones.

Cheers

Jamie

[DWFII]

I would add that beyond adding extra expense and effort, the silver/fancy buttons don't look as good with a tweed jacket as simple ones.

Cheers

Jamie

The inspiration for me attempting the conversion on my Harris tweed (and BTW, they aren't making these anymore...or so I've been told) came from your wife and the elan with which you wear yours.

[McMurdo]

You can always see about consignment sales at your local Tartan shop or buy the Argyll from ebay, you can find wonderful deals on the jackets either way.
Here is my Harris Tweed Argyll I was able to get it on consignment for $40.00


Here is my Burns Check Braemar jacket that I found on ebay for £20


So if you look around you can find things that are quality products at really great prices. It took me a year of looking but I found my Montrose Doublet in my size on ebay for £53. I even found a sgian dubh on ebay for $4.00 I used it until I could afford a better one, however I still keep the first one on hand in case someone needs one.

[DWFII]

BTW, at the risk of ruining my standing in the Auld Crabbits, I kind of like flat caps although I prefer the ones that used to be called "newsboys."

I bring this up because someone mentioned a bonnet which I agree isn't really necessary (although I love my WPG TOS) but I have sneaking suspicion that flat caps may have evolved or at least been influenced by highland bonnets pulled forward to shade the face.

PS..I don't own a flatcap...

[Jock Scot]

BTW, at the risk of ruining my standing in the Auld Crabbits, I kind of like flat caps although I prefer the ones that used to be called "newsboys."

I bring this up because someone mentioned a bonnet which I agree isn't really necessary (although I love my WPG TOS) but I have sneaking suspicion that flat caps may have evolved or at least been influenced by highland bonnets pulled forward to shade the face.

PS..I don't own a flatcap...

Steady Jock, stay very steady Jock, say absolutely nothing Jock!

[Rob Wright]

Steady Jock, stay very steady Jock, say absolutely nothing Jock!

What about a fedora?


Runs away

Rob

[Bugbear]

What about a fedora?


Runs away

Rob

You know, that gives me an idea. Next week I will be having some pictures taken of me wearing a kilt casually, so I might grab my straw hat and get a picture with that. Just to see what Jock thinks; not to anger him.

[Friday]

Thank you gentlemen. If someone is new to kilting and this forum there is a lot of information out there that can be over whelming. Everything here can be found in various posts and threads but I suffer brain death after reading web pages for a couple of hours. If new person goes to the web they can find kilt outfits but they quickly run to $1,000 or more not unreasonable for what you get. For a new person it is hard to try and determine what is needed at the start, what should be added next and what should be the ultimate goal.

I have a number of kilts, from my father I inheirited a number of nice sporrans and I am knitting my own hose. I justt want to go back to the basics. Recently there have been a number of threads on what should be worn at a formal even. For many of us formal is taking your wife to a company party or a nice resturant for dinner. For these a nice suit and tie would work for the non-kilted and we need to remind the newbie that they don't have to have formal attire to look good. As pointed out tonight when I take my wife to dinner the nice cable sweater, will look good.

This will give someone a good idea where to start and how to progress.