Kilts / tartan- Wedding Etiquette

[simkin911]

Okay, an unusual question but need some advice re kilts for my upcoming wedding. Where better to ask than in the "Scotland" forum?

I have a best man and 3 other friends in the "grooms party". Is is usual (or common) for the groom or the groom & best man to select one tartan and have the rest of the party wearing a different tartan? Or should we best stick to the same tartan? Guidance please! Cheers.

[hugoagogo]

no, not necessary, it's up to you though
I think different tartans look much better
matching ones just look hired (although, we know they are )

plus some connection to the tartan you're wearing is good

I had family tartan, my dad had the same, by best man wore his own, my '2nd best man' wore a different one (his family one is minging!)
then there were about 30 others in kilts, all different

[BigAlinEmbra]

I see you're in Edinburgh, worthwhile going into the place on Haymarket Terrace as the guys there are really friendly and helpful and usually a decent source of advice.
Slanj on St Mary's street looks quite cool too, but never been in so can't comment on the staff.

I'd go for the mixed kilt option too.

[simkin911]

Great advice... thanks. Going to the kilt hire shop tmrw (the one on haymarket terrace). Already have their brochure and had a nosey about the shop last weekend.

At the very least, I think we'll have two different tartans.

Many thanks.

[hugoagogo]

I've used Geoffrey's on the Royal Mile a couple of times

they also do a 'contemporary' outfit which is quite smart

[VetteG]

If you dont already have your own kilts, which from whats been said I'm assuming you dont, some hire companies will if the groom buys a kilt make kilts for the grooms men for a hire fee then put them ointo their hire stock.

As an aside, if you dont have a kilt buy one, all of a sudden the reasons you have to wear one multiply and it makes it much easier to accept invites to formal occasions, go to international matches, etc etc. And your chances of being groped by a woman go up by 90%.

G

[ARphotography]

At my sisters wedding, she got her fiancé (now husband) and the best man to hire kilts, yet she liked my modern Douglas and ghillie shirt that i have,

so she makes them both wear that,

made me feel crap cause i own my stuff, yet i looked like i had rented it with them,


so advice, wear different tartans so it doesn't look too tacky.

i wore a navy blue ghillie and navy blue socks so i didn't look the same as them.

[hugoagogo]

VetteG said:

If you dont already have your own kilts, which from whats been said I'm assuming you dont, some hire companies will if the groom buys a kilt make kilts for the grooms men for a hire fee then put them ointo their hire stock.

As an aside, if you dont have a kilt buy one, all of a sudden the reasons you have to wear one multiply and it makes it much easier to accept invites to formal occasions, go to international matches, etc etc. And your chances of being groped by a woman go up by 90%.

G

fecking expensive business though isn't it?

kilt is dear enough, then the sporrans are outrageous, easily drop a hundred quid there
oh and that doesn't come with a sporran chain of course
and a belt
oh that doesn't come with a belt buckle of course
etc etc

[Kiltie]

Agree with all of the above. If everyone is wearing different tartan, it'll look much better / more natural.

If the guys have a connection to a certain tartan then that's great. If not, they should choose the one they like best.

Have a great day!

Cheers,

Eric

[BigAlinEmbra]

hugoagogo said:

VetteG said:

If you dont already have your own kilts, which from whats been said I'm assuming you dont, some hire companies will if the groom buys a kilt make kilts for the grooms men for a hire fee then put them ointo their hire stock.

As an aside, if you dont have a kilt buy one, all of a sudden the reasons you have to wear one multiply and it makes it much easier to accept invites to formal occasions, go to international matches, etc etc. And your chances of being groped by a woman go up by 90%.

G

fecking expensive business though isn't it?

kilt is dear enough, then the sporrans are outrageous, easily drop a hundred quid there
oh and that doesn't come with a sporran chain of course
and a belt
oh that doesn't come with a belt buckle of course
etc etc

Did you not hear what he said?! 90% man!
I think that's conservative.

I wore mine to a nightclub in Buenos Aires and could hardly dance. It was a nightmare fighting off all those gorgeous latin women I tell you.

[hugoagogo]

yes, but 90% increase on feck all isn't a great amount!

(I do have a kilt btw, and if an animal like me can get fondled, anyone can)

[VetteG]

hugoagogo said:

yes, but 90% increase on feck all isn't a great amount!

(I do have a kilt btw, and if an animal like me can get fondled, anyone can)

Ah but once youve got them youve got them, they never go out of fashion, I've had a kilt and accessories for years now, the kilt is wearing out but not a lot else!
Besides its about the only chance a man gets to outshine the ladies and any foreign country even Englandshire the ladies love it. Well worth the money in the long term.

G

[whirligig]

Yep, don't all go for the same tartan - and don't get too hung up on getting the one that should go with your clan (it's all a big con invented by the Victorians anyway), just chose one you like. You'll all be linked by wearing the same colour ties (silver/grey ties and dark shirts looked good at the last wedding I was at) and buttonholes.

Oh and darks socks please - looks much more natural!

Edited by whirligig on Friday 16th January 21:45

[a11y_m]

I'm a best man in a couple of months and we're all wearing the same tartan. Not my choice, but not the groom's choice either I believe




And 90% is very very conservative...

[CO2000]

If your going to ever buy one then do it for your wedding, rather than hire for a few years & wish you had bought. My Uncle has a Kilt that he has had for 55 years & its still bright red McIntosh Tartan.

Also wearing a belt with a Prince Charlie jacket is a big no no & white hose look a bit strange (IMHO)

Co.

[VetteG]

CO2000 said:

Also wearing a belt with a Prince Charlie jacket is a big no no

Also the correct way to tie Gillie brogues:
Pull both laces tight and put 6 full twists on the laces to the front of the ankle, put the laces to the back of the ankle and add 3 full twists, bring to the front of the shin and tie off with a bow. Simple really but so many get it wrong.

G

[jshell]

CO2000 said:

Also wearing a belt with a Prince Charlie jacket is a big no no & white hose look a bit strange (IMHO)

I go the other way. Depending on which tartan worn then I think dark hose look crap and I also always wear a belt with the PC jacket as I think the outfit 'misses' something without the belt.

[r055]

I bought my kilt for my upcoming wedding in April - full kit £650 in kingdom kilts - stirling
ive hired them enough to be able to justify the purchase, so its a no brainer to be honest.

[CO2000]

jshell said:

CO2000 said:

Also wearing a belt with a Prince Charlie jacket is a big no no & white hose look a bit strange (IMHO)

I go the other way. Depending on which tartan worn then I think dark hose look crap and I also always wear a belt with the PC jacket as I think the outfit 'misses' something without the belt.

For me Cream hose is the one but bright white looks wrong with most Tartans.
Dark hose certainly goes with a lot though.

[hugoagogo]

CO2000 said:

Also wearing a belt with a Prince Charlie jacket is a big no no & white hose look a bit strange (IMHO)

Co.

you still need a belt assuming you're ever going to wear the kilt 'informally' (scotland top and timberlands for example

and white hose are for marching bands only