crfriend wrote:That's a very nice looking rig, sir. Good job.
The Scottish kilt needs a shorter jacket for it to look "right"; hence, standard mens' jackets look "wrong" with kilts. Standard mens' jackets, however, look fine with skirts because there's no other "context" to judge them by. They do look a bit awkward with mini-skirts, but that's a proportion thing and can be worked around with careful tailoring. I routinely wear a standard suit jacket with longer skirts and the look works just fine.
I hate to say it, but the more I study how kilts are worn, and work with all their other appurtenances, I really get the feeling that they're formal costumes (sorry, guys) rather than everyday "go out and knock about" gear. This is not meant to make the hard-core kilters' hair stand on end, but rather an observation from the sidelines.
I have never felt comfortable in tailored mens' jackets. They don't seem to be designed to fit the human body, at least off the peg one's don't. Too rigid to be sensible. But that's a personal thing.
Anyway, kilts. You are right - the kilt we see today is a properly tailored item of clothing, that has barely changed since the Victorians invented the little kilt.
I made my own kilt earlier this year. I hunted the internet for plans, looked at originals and decided they weren't it, and needed adapting. Someone said of Jean Paul Gaultier that, 'If something is a tradition, he doesn't touch it. If it's a convention, he pulverizes it', which sounds spot on to me.
As a non-hard-core-kilter, my criteria for a casual kilt were:
Lower waistline, to sit between waist and hips without a belt being essential.
A more modern, soft waistband - which combined with:
Just one buckle on the side, (modern plastic clip as found on most modern mountain gear) holds the garment together (and up!).
Hemline above the knee.
Not tartan (even if I do have a Scottish surname).
Lighter weight in a more modern sensible, washable material, (in this case, cotton, but this meant the insides of the pleats had to be sewn in).
A sensible number of pleats, to give a swirl (essential tradition)
Lined, yes; kilt pin, yes; all the other Victoriana, no; odd extra embellishments to make it look contempory, no.
I feel I've got what I wanted, though there are some things I would do a bit differently next time.
I'll have to work out how to post photos.
David.
An ankle-length black one is my favorite. I also like the look of leather skirts as well.
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