Deciding what to wear to weddings can be difficult, but Scottish men usually do not face this problem, as they have their traditional outfit, the kilt outfit. People there often wear it, but some also prefer modern aesthetics such as tartan trousers or leather pants as Scottish wedding guest style. Which one of them should be your preference? Are you curious to know? Explore in this discussion.
Understanding Wedding Dress Codes
Leather Pants Chic but Risky
A wedding dress code provides guests with specific instructions on attire to dress in on a certain day. In Scotland people often wear their traditional Highland dress, including tartan kilts, jackets, traditional shoes, and more.
Things modernized over time, and people started wearing tartan trousers instead of kilts for precise looks. Leather pants, on the other hand, are not that popular a choice in Scotland, but those who want something more vibrant and catchy prefer them. What should be your choice as a guest? Step ahead to know.
Tartan Trousers or Leather Pants as Scottish Wedding Guest Style
The selection between tartan trousers and leather pants can be a question for many, but our discussion here will let them decide easily what they should wear. First, let us see the traits of tartan trousers, and we will bring the other one under light.
Tartan Trousers
Versatile Elegance: Tartan trousers are a good wedding dress style option for those who want something versatile. Wearers can consider them for both day and evening-based weddings regardless of the current season. In addition to being weather-friendly, they are practical, as most of the styles have more than 2 pockets to keep essentials.
Rooted in Tradition: The tartan construction clarifies their connection with historical roots. That’s why people often wear clan patterns to show pride in their culture. Every clan has its own patterns; people from clan MacKenzie wear Traditional Mackenzie Tartan Trousers. For those who do not have Scottish ancestry, Irish Kilt Shop offers Black Watch Tartan Plaid Pants.
Color Variety: Most of the tartans, regardless of their status as clan or universal patterns, have multiple shades. These color combinations allow people to adopt more vibrant visuals blending with tradition.
Tailored Fit Options: A positive aspect of tartan trews making them suitable for every wedding guest is that they are customizable. You can alter their size as per requirement or can make changes in the apparel’s design as you want.
Great with Accessories: No one can question the potential of tartan trousers to match with a number of accessories. There are multiple accessories that are styled as a part of traditions, such as Prince Charlie Jackets, Ghillie Brogues, etc.
Leather Pants: Chic but Risky
Style Over Practicality: Leather pants are stylish-friendly instead of being practical. They usually have a sleek stature and the pockets are very compromised, comparatively.
Not Always Dress Code Friendly: When we compare leather pants with Scottish trews, they are not dress code friendly. Moreover, their suitability is mostly limited to day-based events, which shows them to be less versatile.
Comfort & Breathability Issues: Their construction with leather proves them to be less comfortable. At the same time, leather does not have a good reputation as being a breathable fabric either. It means leather pants are not good for summer weddings at all, and they are not wearable for all day. If you want leather apparel on hot days, Irish Kilt Shop proudly offers you leather kilts.
Limited Color Range: Unlike tartan kilts, leather products are available in minimum colors such as brown and black. Though finding pants in other shades is possible, they might not be suitable for wedding events.
Comparison Table
| Aspects | Tartan Trousers | Leather Pants |
| Cultural Relevance | Deeply tied to Scottish heritage; worn to represent clan pride | No cultural or Scottish significance |
| Formality & Dress Code | Formal and widely accepted at traditional weddings | Casual or edgy for formal or traditional wedding settings |
| Comfort & Breathability | Comfortable and breathable; good for all-day wear in various seasons | Can be tight and non-breathable in warm settings |
| Versatility | Suitable for both daytime and evening weddings, across seasons | Mostly suitable for cooler, daytime events only |
| Color & Style Options | Available in diverse tartan patterns and shades | Limited color choices; mostly black or brown |
| Accessory Pairing | Matches well with traditional Scottish accessories | Difficult to style with formal Scottish wedding accessories |
Styling Tips: How to Wear Tartan Trousers to a Wedding
The above discussion clarifies that tartan trousers dominate leather pants as wedding attire. Thus, you must know how to style this apparel at wedding events. We have listed some fruitful tips ahead to make things easier.
- Prioritize wearing a white or cream dress shirt with a necktie for sophisticated looks.
- Ensure adding a Scottish jacket in evening settings. If you want a casual look at a daytime wedding, wearing a waistcoat with Ghillie Brogues is a considerable option.
- The color selection matters. Soft or light colors work in hot weather, while dark colors may be suitable for autumn/winter affairs.
- Do not forget to add a leather belt that should be complementing your shoes.
Where to Shop for Tartan Trousers for the Look
Now that you have realized that tartan trousers are a more suitable option than leather pants regarding the Scottish wedding guest style, you should consider buying one for you. At Irish Kilt Shop, we have a wide range of tartan trews that are 100% handmade with premium-quality material. Furthermore, we sell trousers, kilts, and other accessories at very economical prices. So, do not wait, visit our online store, and make yourself a true Scot wearing traditional dress.
FAQs About Tartan Trousers and Leather pants as a Wedding Guest
Are tartan trousers appropriate for a black-tie wedding?
Yes, tartan trousers, being a modern alternative to traditional tartan kilts, are considerable options for Scottish weddings.
Is it okay to wear bright-colored tartan trousers to a wedding?
Wedding events are formal ones, and wearing vibrant clothing on such occasions is not a good idea. If your clan tartan includes bright shades, wear them confidently.
What footwear pairs best with tartan trousers for a wedding guest look?
Ghillie Brogues (traditional Scottish shoes) are the ideal options to pair with tartan trousers. If you want something else, you can go with dress shoes as well.
Can leather pants be worn to summer weddings without overheating?
This approach may not be the ideal one because leather pants are not breathable enough to perform well in summer weddings. In summer weddings, you can go with leather kilts as an alternative.
