The Ghillie Shirt Explained: Design, and More!
A Ghillie shirt or a Jacobite shirt is the traditional part of the kilt outfit, with origins as old as the kilt itself. A kilt shirt is usually made up of cotton or linen that always exists in a loose fitting. TWhat sets it apart from standard shirts is its unique closure style, featuring laces and eyelets instead of buttons. Moreover, its strong connection with the Highland, especially Scottish attire, ranks it as the traditional part of their outfit. In this guide, we will talk about the history, choosing tips, the right ways to wear it, and much more about it.
Design Features of the Ghillie Shirt
The first thing to understand about what sets a product apart from others is analysing its features, especially the design characteristics. A Jacobite shirt is pretty different from others with unique aesthetics. Below are some of its design features.
Lace-up Neckline and Loose Structure: The most popular trait of kilt shirts is their lace-up neckline. Usually, they lack buttons but have eyelets and laces to tie them. This feature may be visible in hoodies or sweaters but is unique to find in shirt variations.
Traditional Material: During the days of its invention, Highlanders wanted something comfortable and breathable, and no fabric other than cotton or linen was justified. These materials are still preferred today for their versatility and strong association with tradition.
Common color Palette and Minimalist Detailing: The next thing is the use of traditional color even in this modern era. Even though shirts are available in many shades today, the primary choice for formal events is white or off-white. Above all, their minimalist design offers them a unique look. They typically feature long sleeves with buttons and either low-cut or high-laced collars.
Increased Versatility: Their primary purpose was keeping wearers comfortable during the outdoor ventures because of their fitting. This is no longer the case, as they have become a versatile choice for formal, semi-formal, and casual events.
Choosing the Right Ghillie Shirt
Selecting a kilt shirt is similar to choosing any standard shirt, but with a few traditional considerations in mind. As these shirts are parts of traditional outfits, selection needs a bit of information.
- Choose the color that matches with your kilt or the event’s theme, while white or off-white are choices for formal events.
- Because you are wearing this shirt to admire your heritage, ensure choosing a shirt with traditional cloth: a high-quality cotton or linen shirt.
- The shirt should be according to your body shape. Moreover, its loose fit allows for flexibility in sizing.
- Choose collar and cuff size according to your personal choice. Ring collars are sometimes the better choices with long-buttoned cuffs.
- Some shirts come with additional styles fabricated, like clan crests. A few shirts may have other traditional Scottish symbols to show your pride. So, choose the shirt according to formality.
How to Wear a Ghillie Shirt
Wearing a Jacobite shirt is as easy as wearing a standard button-up shirt. The simple steps include a careful selection and wearing it. Neatly tuck the shirt into your kilt and then fasten the laces to fit the adjust. The next important step is to pair all of the necessary kilt accessories, such as sporrans, kilt hose, ghillie brogues, and hoses. If you are not wearing any jacket such as Prince Charlie or Argyll jackets, the shirt should stay up and your belt and buckles must be visible.
Caring for Your Ghillie Shirt
The next part of our guide talks about the caring tips, as the regular maintenance and proper caring are the guarantors of a longer lifespan. Below are some essential tips to care for your shirts.
- The most essential point is to read the care tips before washing a shirt.
- Air out the shirt after every wear.
- Avoid frequent washing, as it can degrade the fabric over time.
- Generally machine washable, but handwashing is a better practice.
- Ensure using mild detergent and cold water to wash the shirt.
- Air dry it, as heating gadgets can shrink the fabric.
- When ironing the shirt, use a low heat setting to prevent shrinkage.
- Fold the shirt properly to avoid wrinkles before storing it.
- Hang the shirt on a proper-shaped hanger in a breathable area.
Meet the Brand: The Utility Kilt
Without a doubt, caring for a Ghillie shirt is an important aspect to increase its lifespan. However, purchasing a high-quality shirt also depends on choosing a reliable store. In today’s era, where every brand claims to be the best, choosing one creates confusion. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about this, as you’ve come to The Utility Kilt. We are an online brand with many benefits, such as customization, on-time delivery, and availability of all high-quality products at the lowest prices. So, explore our shirt collection today and order one for you.
Ghillie Shirt FAQs
Can women wear Ghillie shirts?
Though Jacobite shirts are traditionally associated with men, they became versatile with time and today every gender is free to wear them.
Are Ghillie Shirts suitable for hot weather?
Yes, the construction of these shirts with cotton makes them suitable for summer. Moreover, the loose fitting and breathability also favor their use in hot weather. Unfortunately, they are not good players in extremely hot seasons, as they can also trap the heat.
What type of footwear goes best with a Ghillie Shirt?
While pairing your kilt shirt for a formal event, consider Ghillie Brogues, the traditional Scottish shoes. Otherwise, standard leather or dress boots are also considerable choices.
How do I prevent the lace from tangling or wearing out?
The chances of getting the laces tangled usually remain low because of its unique tying style. However, if you still face this problem regularly, detangle it and use gentle washing techniques.
Do Ghillie Shirts come in tartan patterns?
It is not a cultural practice to make shirts with tartan patterns, but some brands now have started making kilt shirts with tartan fabric.
