Funeral attire

[Hilts]

OK, so I have a funeral coming up.

I have a kilt and the necessary accoutrements.

However it no longer fits me so time for a change ie I may have put on a little bit of weight.

I thought about getting it fixed but once(if) I get back to the gym I'll lose the extra. That's the plan anyway.

So I'm just going to hire a kilt for the day.

My own tartan is Campbell of Cawdor but I was going to hire a black kilt. My sporran is made of (I think) sealskin and is sort of light in colour.

I know the shop will keep me right but I'm just wondering out loud before I go if I should hire a new sporran or just keep the one I have.

Is a white shirt and black tie OK? or black shirt? I have cream socks with CoC flashes. My jacket is Prince Charlie.

Thanks as always for your help

[HD Adam]

Whilst not an expert on Highland dress, I'm pretty sure a white shirt would be acceptable.

The hire shop should be able to put you right or maybe even the funeral directors.

[Brads67]

The lighter sporran will be fine.

Black kilt will look great and you can go black shirt and silver tie to match the sporran as well.


I was at a funeral last week where me and around 400 other people wore denims and leather waistcoats, there is no rule regards funeral attire.

[Du1point8]

Denim and leather waistcoat... I can only assume bikers or you were asked to turn up like that.

For funerals, its always been dark attire (navy/black/etc), white shirt, black tie and depending on the weather... an overcoat... Thats for males, females get away with a lot more.

Not sure on the Scottish version, but I assume you would be allowed a little more colour in then I would be in a suit.

Was not amused when my brother turned up to my nan's funeral wearing ill fitting black trousers, sneakers, short sleeved white shirt, no tie and some ste jacket.

When I asked why he just didnt hire or use the one he has for weddings, he told me thats what he wears to weddings too... Sometimes I don't get how we are related.

[The Mad Monk]

Hilts said:

OK, so I have a funeral coming up.

I have a kilt and the necessary accoutrements.

However it no longer fits me so time for a change ie I may have put on a little bit of weight.

I thought about getting it fixed but once(if) I get back to the gym I'll lose the extra. That's the plan anyway.

So I'm just going to hire a kilt for the day.

My own tartan is Campbell of Cawdor but I was going to hire a black kilt. My sporran is made of (I think) sealskin and is sort of light in colour.

I know the shop will keep me right but I'm just wondering out loud before I go if I should hire a new sporran or just keep the one I have.

Is a white shirt and black tie OK? or black shirt? I have cream socks with CoC flashes. My jacket is Prince Charlie.

Thanks as always for your help

Why would you want to wear a kilt?

[Skyrat]

The Mad Monk said:

Why would you want to wear a kilt?

Why not? It's semi-formal dress, just the same as wearing a suit.

[RobinOakapple]

Skyrat said:

The Mad Monk said:

Why would you want to wear a kilt?

Why not? It's semi-formal dress, just the same as wearing a suit.

Because it's an affectation.

[wildcat45]

RobinOakapple said:

Because it's an affectation.

It would be if you were in Hampshire or Lincolnshire, but I think if it's Scotland it's OK.

Bloody silly looking though. I think we've all met the pompous Jock at some time or other wearing one at a wedding in England but I guess it's more of a traditional thing in the Highlands.

I had a what to wear at a funeral dilemma a fortnight ago. The guy who died was quite a flamboyant gay bloke. Getting dressed that morning I selected a dark suit and a pink shirt with a very garish tie. I looked like a mismatched disrespectful joke so I swapped to a white shirt, tried a black tie but instead opted for a dark tie with subtle bits of pink in it.

I did right. It was a very formal funeral.

OP, dress as you feel appropriate.

[Jasandjules]

For me it is always black shoes, a dark suit (if not black, dark grey/charcoal), white shirt and a black tie.

[glenrobbo]

OP, I don't think the deceased will complain about whatever you choose to wear.

I have told everyone that when I shuffle off this mortal coil, I expect everyone to come to my funeral in fancy dress or they won't be allowed to the party. Nothing worse than a depressing morbid funeral with a load of long faces and teary eyes.

I have also drawn up a pretty comprehensive playlist of songs for the service, including "Knock on Wood", "I'm Alive" and "Down Down Deeper and Down".
I was contemplating having a Viking longship burial with "Smoke on the Water", but the cost of the longship was somewhat prohibitive.


I have also been told that if you don't go to peoples' funerals, they won't come to yours.

[Brads67]

Du1point8 said:

Denim and leather waistcoat... I can only assume bikers or you were asked to turn up like that.

For funerals, its always been dark attire (navy/black/etc), white shirt, black tie and depending on the weather... an overcoat... Thats for males, females get away with a lot more.

Not sure on the Scottish version, but I assume you would be allowed a little more colour in then I would be in a suit.

Was not amused when my brother turned up to my nan's funeral wearing ill fitting black trousers, sneakers, short sleeved white shirt, no tie and some ste jacket.

When I asked why he just didnt hire or use the one he has for weddings, he told me thats what he wears to weddings too... Sometimes I don't get how we are related.

Bikers.

As for what others wear, it`s up to them. They aren`t at a funeral to please the people there, they are there to pay respect to the dead person, who couldn`t care less what they are wearing.

[The Mad Monk]

wildcat45 said:

I had a what to wear at a funeral dilemma a fortnight ago. The guy who died was quite a flamboyant gay bloke. Getting dressed that morning I selected a dark suit and a pink shirt with a very garish tie. I looked like a mismatched disrespectful joke so I swapped to a white shirt, tried a black tie but instead opted for a dark tie with subtle bits of pink in it.

Are you sure it was the bloke who died who was flamboyant?

[hacksaw]

Du1point8 said:

Was not amused when my brother turned up to my nan's funeral wearing ill fitting black trousers, sneakers, short sleeved white shirt, no tie and some ste jacket.

I had exactly the same with my brother last November, complete lack of effort and respect. Fortunately that's the only time in the last 5 or 6 years our paths have crossed, hopefully it will be at least as long until the next time we are forced to share a space.

[g3org3y]

Are other attendees wearing kilts (serious question)?

My wife is Scottish so I've attended various funerals and weddings in Scotland over the years. Kilt (and associated ensemble) is traditional Scottish dress, commonplace at weddings. Never seen anyone wear a kilt at a funeral (sombre dark version or otherwise) though.

As expected, regular dark suit (+white shirt & black tie) is standard.

You don't want to stand out for the wrong reasons IYSWIM.

[sparkythecat]

Hilts said:

I have a kilt and the necessary accoutrements.

However it no longer fits me so time for a change ie I may have put on a little bit of weight.

Crikey, a full kilt is made from 8 yards of tartan, so I'd have thought it would stretch over even the most massive paunch.

Fond of the of neaps and tatties are You?

[HTP99]

At my dads funeral 18m ago, everyone was asked to wear something pink; he was very fond of and known for his pink shirts, I wore a black suit, white shirt and black tie with a pair of pink Converse Chuck Tayor High Tops; he liked pink and I am known for wearing Converse Chuck Taylors, in all colours.

Edited by HTP99 on Sunday 31st July 11:38

[Countdown]

OP - I'm guessing that both you and the deceased have (or had) very strong scottish roots.

If "Yes" then wearing a kilt would be a appropriate way of recognising that. If "No" then there's a risk that your wearing a kilt becomes the focus of the event rather than the remembering of your friend.

[AndrewEH1]

I've been to a fair few funerals, never seen anyone in a kilt (all of them were in Scotland). I'm not sure a kilt would go down well.

Honestly I'd recommend a dark or grey suit, white shirt, and black tie. If you don't have a suitable suit it's worth buying one as it'll do for job interviews too (obviously with a different shirt and tie).

[Corpulent Tosser]

Entirely up to you but I have never worn my kilt at a funeral.
If you are hiring an outfit I would go for a day outfit rather than the Prince Charlie which is more formal and usually worn in the evening.

[Turquoise]

Avoid Hawaiian shirts.