Weelington Boots and Highland Wear

[bookish]

I tend to go online to find shops with reputable representations of Highland wear. I landed on Shilling and Fitz, and the inclusion of Wellington boots as regimental footwear got my attention:
https://www.shillingandfitz.com/coll...arade-footwear

I looked through the Royal Regiment of Scotland dress regulations one and two, and I don't think I saw any references to Wellington boots.

My question here is: does one wear wellies with a kilt? I don't think I've seen much by way of calf-high or higher length boots with a kilt unless it's a fashion statement (Alexander McQueen), or at a Renaissance Festival here in the US.

I'm not against it, honestly. However, I'm curious what the trends ever were with boots higher than the ankle. If a boot covers the area that spats would cover, that seems logically sound for practical purposes. And, if spats are considered stylish at all, then there is no reason to my mind why a boot alone covering this area would be an issue in terms of style.

I look forward to your expertise.

[Jock Scot]

I regularly wear green nearly knee length wellingtons, with the kilt when out and about in the field. There was a picture or two of me doing so, earlier in the year--------about March time------ in the pictures section here. It is not an unusual sight for wellington boots to be worn with the kilt, when necessary, here.

As an afterthought, I have not seen kilted civilian gentlemen and with the exception civilian band members and solo pipers, wearing spats, kilted or otherwise for forty or more years.

[ShaunMaxwell]

My question here is: does one wear wellies with a kilt? I don't think I've seen much by way of calf-high or higher length boots with a kilt unless it's a fashion statement (Alexander McQueen), or at a Renaissance Festival here in the US.

I wear them at Highland games when the grounds are muddy. They've come in handy over the years. Here's an old photo of me and my now 18-year-old daughter many moons ago at the Grandfather Mountain games in North Carolina. There was ankle deep mud in places, so I was glad I'd brough them along!



Cheers,

SM

[DCampbell16B]

This photo was in National Geographic in the late 60's or early 70's. This image is from somewhere on the internet, and if memory serves, is reversed. Also if memory serves, the gentleman was at a cattle auction.



If this is a copyright violation, please delete.

[Janner52]

The Wellington Boots on the Shilling and Fitz website are worn by British Army officers and cavalry soldiers in No 1 or ceremonial uniform. They are worn with a style of riding trousers called overalls. The lower part of the trouser is worn over the boot. They are not worn with the kilt.

https://afm.gov.mt/wp-content/upload...ther-Ranks.png


They are a lot different to the rubber wellingtons worn by farm workers and country walkers which are suitable kilt wear.

[Troglodyte]

My question here is: does one wear wellies with a kilt? I don't think I've seen much by way of calf-high or higher length boots with a kilt unless it's a fashion statement (Alexander McQueen), or at a Renaissance Festival here in the US.

I am intrigued by your question. Why, I wonder, would you think that Wellington boots would be appropriate with Highland dress.

The Wellingtons shows on S&F website are military (never worn by civilians) dress riding boots which are worn with close-fitting Number One (Blues) uniform trousers that come down over and outside the leg of the boot, and have a stirrup-strap with a button fastening under the arch of the boot. The cuff of the trousers is cut to cover most of the boot and to fit the leg with no 'break' or creasing.

It is, or course, perfectly posible to wear such boots with the kilt, but combining what is essentially 19th century English light cavalry boots with modern Highland dress seems a bizarre desire. It has often been said over the past 250 years or so, that the only proper footwear with the kilt is the Highland brogue, and there are any number of versions by different makers to choose from.

If it is the military look you are after, the civilian version of the army-issue 'Braemar' brogue that S&F also supplies is by far the best and most correct choice. As an alternative the ghillie-brogues, the closed-front, full-brogue Braemar is probably the shoe most often seen worn with the kilt here in Scotland.

Mixing English city styles of footwear (think Oxford or Derby style shoes) or military boots is often suggested for kilt-wear, but is a very poor substitute for proper Highland styles, and will always be regarded with suspicion by critical eyes.

That said, however, the rubber Wellington boot is an entirely different thing, despite the name. They are wet-weather footwear, and worn when conditions under-foot are anything more than damp. Again, they are an English style (not Highland dress, despite the occasional photo of a kiltie a-booted) and are immensely practical - you can wade almost knee-deep in water or tramp around a water-logged Games field all day whilst maintaining comfortably dry feet.

Once a Scottish-made product, the green Uniroyal 'Hunter' wellie has been the rubber boot of choice for kings, nobles and the common man, and for very good reason, too. Hunter wellies as a brand have been put through a fashion and marketing programme in recent years, and are now available in a wider range of colours and styles, intended to be worn as fashion footwear by hip city types.

French boot makers, like Aigle and Le Chameau, now seem to be more popular (and arguably better) than Hunters with the country set, and certainly have both the 'look' and the variety of styles and prices - there is something for every taste and budget. The rubber-coated leather boots are excellent. The original black farmer's wellie with the tougher sole and reinforced toe-cap is still available, if the 'farmer gone to market' is the desired style.

Perhaps the best advice you can be given, is to keep a pair of wellies for when conditions demand them (regardless of whether your are kilted or otherwise), and wear the kilt the same way as a Highlander in his native glen, with footwear appropriate for the activity.

[figheadair]

Yes, wellies and waxed coats are a must at times.

[bookish]

I am intrigued by your question. Why, I wonder, would you think that Wellington boots would be appropriate with Highland dress.

To put it simply, curiosity. However, I'll rephrase based on my original post: Since Shilling and Fitz are selling regimental footwear inclusive of Wellington boots, and since the Royal Regiment of Scotland wears Highland dress, I wondered if there was a case of these particular Wellington boots being worn by regimental soldiers wearing a kilt. The Military & Parade Footwear link that I provided in my original post is a link nested under the website menu, listed under "Regimental Shop." As an American civilian, I am not familiar with all aspects of Highland dress, and I am often surveying sources.

The Wellingtons shows on S&F website are military (never worn by civilians) dress riding boots which are worn with close-fitting Number One (Blues) uniform trousers that come down over and outside the leg of the boot, and have a stirrup-strap with a button fastening under the arch of the boot. The cuff of the trousers is cut to cover most of the boot and to fit the leg with no 'break' or creasing.

Based on my curiosity and the inference from the website structure that these particular Wellington boots are regimental footwear, I only surveyed the first two volumes of the Royal Regiment of Scotland dress regulations. It was perhaps not as thorough a review as I ought to have given it, though. (EDIT: I see @Janner52 posting the image of a uniform that you mention. Retracting my request to find that uniform. I suppose I shouldn't read and respond from the bottom up!)

It is, or course, perfectly posible to wear such boots with the kilt, but combining what is essentially 19th century English light cavalry boots with modern Highland dress seems a bizarre desire. It has often been said over the past 250 years or so, that the only proper footwear with the kilt is the Highland brogue, and there are any number of versions by different makers to choose from.

Perhaps it is a "bizarre desire," and it isn't my desire, but I am not closed to the possibility. I'm not really a fan of brogued shoes. I don't really think there is a difference between a Highland brogue and any other brogued wingtip with medallion, other than the ghillie brogue. If you have reason to disabuse me of that notion, I'd be happy to hear it.

If it is the military look you are after, the civilian version of the army-issue 'Braemar' brogue that S&F also supplies is by far the best and most correct choice. As an alternative the ghillie-brogues, the closed-front, full-brogue Braemar is probably the shoe most often seen worn with the kilt here in Scotland.

I believe that military styles have a strong influence on men's wear, and that is a solid category for men to approach personal fashion choices. I am surveying the land of options and trying to consider what is available, what has been popular, and what might be possible on my journey.

Mixing English city styles of footwear (think Oxford or Derby style shoes) or military boots is often suggested for kilt-wear, but is a very poor substitute for proper Highland styles, and will always be regarded with suspicion by critical eyes.

I am not sure that I can agree with you on this point, but I'm only a couple of years into my journey with Highland wear. I may find the critic behind those eyes unreasonable, but like with all critics, we have to take them on a case-by-case basis!

That said, however, the rubber Wellington boot is an entirely different thing, despite the name. They are wet-weather footwear, and worn when conditions under-foot are anything more than damp. Again, they are an English style (not Highland dress, despite the occasional photo of a kiltie a-booted) and are immensely practical - you can wade almost knee-deep in water or tramp around a water-logged Games field all day whilst maintaining comfortably dry feet.

Once a Scottish-made product, the green Uniroyal 'Hunter' wellie has been the rubber boot of choice for kings, nobles and the common man, and for very good reason, too. Hunter wellies as a brand have been put through a fashion and marketing programme in recent years, and are now available in a wider range of colours and styles, intended to be worn as fashion footwear by hip city types.

French boot makers, like Aigle and Le Chameau, now seem to be more popular (and arguably better) than Hunters with the country set, and certainly have both the 'look' and the variety of styles and prices - there is something for every taste and budget. The rubber-coated leather boots are excellent. The original black farmer's wellie with the tougher sole and reinforced toe-cap is still available, if the 'farmer gone to market' is the desired style.

Perhaps the best advice you can be given, is to keep a pair of wellies for when conditions demand them (regardless of whether your are kilted or otherwise), and wear the kilt the same way as a Highlander in his native glen, with footwear appropriate for the activity.

Thank you for this survey and these suggestions! I'll definitely look into these styles and makers.

[Jock Scot]

OH! Those black rubber farmers' wellingtons and those later more fashionable green Hunter wellies were a mixed blessing. Good for keeping muck and mud at bay, but oooooh so cold in the winter! Even with several layers of wool socks the cold would swiftly find its way in. Those leather lined rubber boots are a wonderful improvement and makes their substantial cost well worth while.

[Canadian Vet]

OH! Those black rubber farmers' wellingtons and those later more fashionable green Hunter wellies were a mixed blessing. Good for keeping muck and mud at bay, but oooooh so cold in the winter! Even with several layers of wool socks the cold would swiftly find its way in. Those leather lined rubber boots are a wonderful improvement and makes their substantial cost well worth while.

They sure beat Ghillie Brogues in a pig pen.