What Do Ghillie Shirts Look Like?
The Ghillie Shirt features an open collar and it's simply slipped on over the head.
There are no buttons on the shirt, but instead a drawstring collar (traditionally a leather drawstring although typically available with a white or black cord) is present. The cord feeds through three eyelets on either side of the shirt and crosses over before trailing down towards the mid-rift.
Ghillie Shirts are available from most outfitters in white and black, though numerous other coloured shirts can be found if you are prepared to shop around.
Essential Ghillie Shirt Extras
Ghillie Shirts are worn with kilts. Groom's are free to choose what tartan they wear, though that of your ancestral clan, a national tartan (Scotland, Wales and Northen Ireland all have their own) or the outfitters very own tartan (if available) are your three main options.
No neckpiece is worn with a Ghillie Shirt, but there are three garments that can be worn on top of the shirt from which you can choose if required; Lowlander waistcoats, Jacobite waistcoats and Clansmen Jackets.
Lowlander waistcoats are straight cut waistcoats which feature epaulets and two silver buttons just above the hem. They are traditionally worn open.
Jacobite waistcoats are again straight cut waistcoats, but this time the material juts back towards the hip before extending downwards covering the pockets. With 3, 4 or 5 silver buttons and elongated shouldres, Jacobite waistcoats are also traditionally worn open.
Clansman Jackets are essentially a sleeved version of the Jacobite waistcoat, but they also feature a short upturned collar. The hard to track down and make the overall look a little more formal, though some would argue this adds to their authenticity.
Ghillie Shirt Accessories
A sporran, hose (socks), leather belt, skean dhu (a small knife tucked into the right hose), kilt pin and flashes (small pieces of decorative material that match the tartan in the kilt and tucked into the hose) make for superb Ghillie Shirt accessories. Whilst plain shoes can be worn, Ghillie brogues (also know as kilt shoes) which lack a tongue and lace-up above the ankle, finish the look off in a much better way.
How Much Will a Ghillie Shirt Cost?
Ghillie Shirt based outfits are a little cheaper than Prince Charlie's and Argyll's to hire and will set you back around £50 to £80 depending upon what's included the package. For those who are interested, you can buy Ghillie Shirts from numerous outfitters across the country, and one will set you back about £30.
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