Furthermore, the Prince is wearing the Royal Stewart tartan, which only members of the Royal Family are entitled to wear. In fact, it was George, Prince of Wales, later George IV, who caused the revival of tartan as it is worn today. I’m fairly sure there are depictions of him wearing a combination much as Prince Charles is wearing in the photo.

From a personal standpoint, I rather like the combination of socks and kilt and the socks do indeed pick out the same colors found in the ground of the Prince’s kilt.

And I confess, I do not actually see any need to “modernise” either outfit; in what way are they not appropriate exactly as is? Should they be made of steel and spandex? Should Charles and Camilla be wearing matching Utili-kilts to a formal event? I think not. And let us not pretend for one moment that if Camilla had based her colours upon the dominant colour in the kilt that Charles is wearing, she would then be accused of being “too matchy,” with the concomitant suggestion that she should have picked up the “edgier,” subtler colour in her outfit.

I find them adult, attractive, and utterly charming, in that they both look so happy, as well as elegant.

Regards,
Chichi

I would have preferred him wearing cream coloured hose with that kilt, and I would have to agree with CJ that the kilt belt shouldn’t be worn with a Prince Charlie jacket.

Perhaps he should take a look at my site, http://www.your-kilt.com to get some pointers on how Highland Dress should be worn.

Kind Regards,

David.

Actually the short kilts were imposed by the English and Scots upperclass, but it was to adapt the garment for the industrial revolution. The great kilt is a practical garment if you’re out on the highlands and need both clothes and a blanket, but not if you’re inside a textile mill with lots of moving machinery that can catch loose clothing. It’s like wearing baggy sweaters in woodshop, don’t do it. So they cut the great kilt in half. It worked.

HRH is wearing evening wear, and to wear solid muted hose with a “Prince Charlie” coat and black tie would be as wrong as to wear a cummerbund with a business suit.

Nope. There is nothing wrong with diced or argyle mind you, but solid colored hose is still perfectly fine with formal wear. It isn’t as formal as the others, but it is still ok. Just don’t wear white or off-white. The rental shops say it’s formal but it isn’t. It should match which unfortunately the prince’s doesn’t.

Note also that the Prince is wearing a belt with his vest

HRH isn’t wearing a vest or a Prince Charlie coat. I thought he was too, but then I took a closer look. He’s actually wearing a formal shirt with a single breasted doublet left open at the neck. You just can’t tell that’s what he’s doing very well because the doublet is black and the belt is black. Doublets are worn with belts over them. That shiny bit to the right of his belt buckle is probably some sort of device on the belt itself.

As for Connery, I don’t know what pictures CJ is looking at, but Connery is wearing the exact same outfit in both right down to the lapel flower. I’m betting they were shot on the same day.

As for Sir Sean, in the first photo he should be wearing either diced hose or argyle socks, as are the piper and bandleader beside him. (Note their uniform hose match their kilts.) This would meet the level of formality of his jacket (note the collar: it’s formalwear).

In the second picture, he is wearing a tweed jacket, which is informal or “daywear” and his hose are perfect, though he forgoes the opportunity to put in some color by keeping with green flashes instead of a contrasting color.

Note also that the Prince is wearing a belt with his vest, which isn’t quite right in highland dress or a business suit; either or, please. Sir Sean has got that quite right.