The Rules and Exceptions Thereunto.

**Sir Robert** · 19th August 05, 04:12 AM

One rule is that girls do not wear kilts. Except FEMALE Highland Dancers.

Another rule is that men do not wear "Dress" tartans. Except MALE Highland Dancers.

Rule you do not wear WHITE stockings with a kilt. Except that kilt rental shops tell you it is acceptable because they don't bother stocking a good selection of kilt hose.

Rule ONLY the Clan's Cheiftan wears the clan crest, all his clansmen wear the crest inside the belt with motto. Except that members of the "Gordon Highlanders" (a Brit military unit) all of them wear the unbelted crest of the Clan Gordon's Cheiftan. So if I'm walking along a trail in Scotland and run into a man wearing the unbelted Gordon Crest I would have no idea wheather to shake his hand, salute, or kneel, depending on if he is a GH vet, currently serving officer or is in fact my Cheif.

Rule the more you know about kilts the more confused you get. Exception: none.

**glengall1** · 19th August 05, 05:39 AM

I do totally agree that old customs and rules can be confusing.

I live by the ONE kilt rule:

Wear it as often as I can and enjoy every minute !!!!

Take care,

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 19th August 05, 06:54 AM

Sir Robert, that's such a cool post!

We've reviewed the "Know Your Tartan" phrase for a long time around here. It's a "basic" with kilt wearing, really. Without that, how many would really know what a "Dress Tartan" is? It's worth lessons like yours!

I would love to see others in "the know", like CajunScot and Matt, that could add-in some other historical or little-known "restrictions" that are out there.

To me, the rules and their origins are as fascinating as the tartans themselves.8-)

**Barb T** · 19th August 05, 07:47 AM

Hi guys

While these may be the traditional rules, the rules do change. Before the 1950s, female Highland dancers were not allowed to compete in a kilt - they were required to wear the full skirt Aboyne costume. When the rule changed in the 50s, women competed in the full male costume, including sporran (I've seen pictures of my daughter's Highland dance teacher as a young girl in such an outfit). Now, the female Highland dancers are _required_ to compete in a kilt (no sporran or belt), a velvet vest, and a white blouse with lace.

As more pipe bands have added women, they, too, wear traditional kilts. Our band currently is about 1/3 women, and our Grade 4 drum corps is _entirely_ female. If we were not "allowed" to wear kilts, we would also not be piping or drumming, and that seems silly to prevent someone from playing in a pipe band because they are not "allowed" to wear a kilt.

As for white socks, all you have to do is go to The British Shop web site or the Tartantown web site or Burnett's and Struth web site, and you'll see that they are not lazy about carrying kilt hose in lots of colors. You can pick anything from white to black and lots of colors. Over the years, our band has worn red and white diced hose (now _those_ are the _most_ traditional of all kilt hose, but _no one_ wears them any more!!!), slate blue, off white hand knit, off white machine knit, and now bright white popcorn top 100% cotton hose. We've chosen the latter partly because they look really sharp with our kilts and partly for simplicity - they wash easily (and consequently stay looking nicer) and are less expensive. If white hose aren't supposed to be worn with kilts, there are a lot of bands out there like ours who have made an "unallowable" choice!!!

As I say, rules change.

Barb

Barb

**Bob C** · 19th August 05, 08:02 AM

Hear, hear, Barb!

It has struck me, on a couple of occasions, that some have criticized others' attire by saying "pipe bands wear white socks" or "pipe bands wear tartan ties."

Well, who wears kilts more than pipe bands?

**Raphael** · 19th August 05, 08:19 AM

I think the rules had changed and most people had made up their own rules based on their comfort level and fashion sense.

**Court** · 19th August 05, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Jimmy Carbomb

Sir Robert, that's such a cool post!.....

To me, the rules and their origins are as fascinating as the tartans themselves.8-)

Sir Robert, I second Jimmy's quotes. However, as an American (who happens to be descended from not only Scots but Welsh, Irish, English, German, French and a smattering of Scandinavians) I take a somewhat more liberal view. I regard kilts as a living, working, garment (thank Heaven!) and not some dusty old costume frozen in time. It is unavoidable that the wearing of kilts will evolve based on the different locations, populations, climate, etc.

Now, having said that, I can assure you that when I travel to Scotland I will take the utmost care to wear my kilts in a manner befitting the deep and abiding respect I hold for my Scottish heritage as well as Scottish culture in general.

Court

**bear** · 19th August 05, 08:59 AM

What are these things you humans call rules?

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 19th August 05, 09:37 AM

Bwaaahaaahaaahaaa!!!

Originally Posted by bear@bearkilts.com

What are these things you humans call rules?

Hooking. Slashing. Tripping. Fighting. Offsides. Icing. Cross-checking.;)

**James** · 19th August 05, 10:03 AM

Oh dear-back to rules.

You'll no find them in a book-or set out by this or that authority.

Sorry here I have to be blunt, rude even: there conventions, and you either know the conventions, or you do not.

It is as simple as that.

Where can you find out about them?

Well no one is going to say-or write a book: the best suggestion is to observe people wearing highland dress-possibly reports of games in the highlands will be your best source. See what is being worn and how.

A tip being to ignore the dancers-bands and visitors: look at the judges and the like.

Sorry.

James