Now that we have a definition... a question of Tradition...

[MacLowlife]

OK, so we solved all of the problems with defining THCD last week. I am wondering about a modern condition that may not have existed heretofore. Many men seem to have worked around it, but I wonder if it has any historical precedent.

I am talking about stored body fat. Despite what the Poet Burns says about "Mark the rustic, haggis fed, the trembling earth resounds his tread..." can we agree that for most of the modern kilt-wearing era, men have been much leaner than many of us are today. That is,

is an hourglass shape the ultimate Traditional Kilt accessory?

And I know, I have used modern and historical and even accessory, but I mean this as a serious question about TRADITIONAL KILTS. Have improved nutrition and industrialization created a body type that is contradictory or inimical to the traditional wearing of the kilt?

I will admit right now- I have a spare tire. I also work in an office and drive a car most places I go. I drink out of a shiny red can at least once a day. It has been a long time since I was truly hungry, Thanks Be To God. But I wonder if my kilt would fit better - more traditionally - under other circumstances.

[Panache]

Dear Sir,

Upon study of countless highland based romance novel covers I have come to the conclusion that the definitive body type of a typical kilt wearing highlander is the classic V shape figure typified by people like young Kirk Douglas. Broad shoulders, bulging pectoral muscles, flat stomach, slim hips, muscular legs and a strong jaw typify the classic highlander build. Also an important, and seldom seen facet nowadays, of the true highland physique is the ability to pin one's fly plaid broach directly into one's chest thereby forgoing the puffy ghillie shirt and showing off one's manly physique…

I.M. Panache
Professor of Fashion and G&T
Arkham School of Business
Fretwell Falls, USA

[creagdhubh]

Well, from a historical perspective, Highlanders were indeed extremely fit men. Constantly on the move (the word "move" is key), they could cover a lot of ground on foot in a relatively short period of time. Arguably, men in Scotland dressed in traditional Highland attire of the 1940's, 1950's, etc (think of the brilliantly illustrated Highland Dress catalogues of the time, which were idealised advertisements, I understand), were in rather good shape as well. People ate less then. Not to mention overly processed foods and the advent of "fast food" really didn't exist on the same scale and accessibility as it does now. I will admit (and by no means am I attempting to upset anyone's feelings here); men who are on more of the leaner side in regards to their overall build, and are within a healthy range in regards to their body mass index (BMI), tend to look much smarter wearing Highland Dress (specifically tradtional Highland Dress) than their overweight counterparts. Of course, this is a highly subjective notion, as well as my honest opinon. Of which should be taken with a grain of salt and with the highest decorum.

[Grizzly]

Ahem..... I am not qualified to respond to this thread. However I doff my hat to bespoke tailors.

[creagdhubh]

Ahem..... I am not qualified to respond to this thread. However I doff my hat to bespoke tailors.

Excellent point, Simon! Bespoke. And I understand that not everyone can go that route. I think traditional Highland Dress, as well as with any other type of clothing (bespoke or off-the-peg), if everything fits the gentleman well, then it will look good.

[Galloglaigh]

After 11 attempts to register here under different names, we now have enough evidence to confirm that this is again Steven Aikens of Jasper AL. This time using an IP proxy in an attempt to hide his real location.

[kiltedtom]

Historically speaking, we must remember that while the current generation has a life span longer than most of those generations that came before us. But, if you look at portraits and other images, most men who reached an advanced age also packed on more pounds, particularly around the mid-section. Active or not, the older you get, the more difficult it is to remain slim. Usually your body's metabolism slows down and you tend to gain weight. (Of course, in my case, I do not ever remember being slim. LOL) So, to think that prior generations of kilted men were in better shape, at least past late 30's, is probably wishful thinking.

Since we of the modern generation are blessed with a longer expected life span, we can also expect to be blessed with more girth as we mature.

So decide which is better, shorter life and better looks or longer life and whatever comes with it. LOL

Tom

[Calgacus]

OK, so we solved all of the problems with defining THCD last week. I am wondering about a modern condition that may not have existed heretofore. Many men seem to have worked around it, but I wonder if it has any historical precedent.

I am talking about stored body fat. Despite what the Poet Burns says about "Mark the rustic, haggis fed, the trembling earth resounds his tread..." can we agree that for most of the modern kilt-wearing era, men have been much leaner than many of us are today. That is,

is an hourglass shape the ultimate Traditional Kilt accessory?

And I know, I have used modern and historical and even accessory, but I mean this as a serious question about TRADITIONAL KILTS. Have improved nutrition and industrialization created a body type that is contradictory or inimical to the traditional wearing of the kilt?

I will admit right now- I have a spare tire. I also work in an office and drive a car most places I go. I drink out of a shiny red can at least once a day. It has been a long time since I was truly hungry, Thanks Be To God. But I wonder if my kilt would fit better - more traditionally - under other circumstances.

Since you posed this as a serious question, I shall post a serious answer.

I am someone who is still bigger about the hurdies than I am about the waist, though I am for the first time in life having to work to keep it that way. The upshot of this is that the top part of my kilts are tapered and form a conical shape when fastened. This means that my kilts are not supported by being fastened tightly about my waist, they cannot slide down much as the waist of the kilt simply cannot get past my hips. They are held in place as much by shape as friction.

As to which looks better in a kilt, a man of substance or a skinny guy like me, I cannot say, however in terms of keeping the thing in the right place I think I have the edge.

[Tarheel]

I've walked five miles plus everyday as a land surveyor and at 58 years old still have a 32 waist but measured 39 in my hips when ordering my kilt. I got an email from Atlanta Kilts Ga."are you sure you measured correctly?" I will be sending my first photos for the August challenge in a few days. I may have to look to the archives on altering kilts in "X-marks" later as my girth expands when my age lengthens. Personal stats are 6 foot tall and 155 lbs. As my wife says, "a tall drink of water."