What are we allowed to post in this section?

[Nathan]

I've had several threads I posted about dressing traditionally moved from this thread to others. Threads about tweed kilt jackets have been moved to how to accessorize your kilt, a thread about why people should care about dressing traditionally has been moved to general kilt talk. In total I've had something like seven threads I started in this section to keep it vibrant moved so I'm at a loss as to what we could possibly discuss here that an argument couldn't be made to move elsewhere.

I would think that if I wanted advice on which accessories are worn traditionally and how they are worn, it should go here rather than in the accessorize section. I'm also not sure a jacket is really an accessory.

Even this thread will probably end up in forum issues or something. So mods, I want to respect the rules of the forum, but even by judging the threads in this sub-forum that have not been moved, I'm scratching my head.

Please advise some examples of things that could be discussed here so those of us who want to keep this sub-forum active can brainstorm topics that won't be moved.

[CMcG]

I've noticed this too, Nathan, and I think it's a good question. It was particularly surprising when your Tradition and Change thread was moved out of the traditional sub-forum, where we're supposed to "discuss and see examples of how kilts can be worn to emulate a traditional style or fashion."

[California Highlander]

I've had several threads I posted about dressing traditionally moved from this thread to others. Threads about tweed kilt jackets have been moved to how to accessorize your kilt, a thread about why people should care about dressing traditionally has been moved to general kilt talk. In total I've had something like nine threads I started in this section to keep it vibrant moved so I'm at a loss as to what we could possibly discuss here that an argument couldn't be made to move elsewhere.

I agree, especially the Tradition thread. Some respondents appeared to not realize where it was posted (Traditionally Made Kilts and How To Wear Them), and their responses moved the content off-topic after 30 interesting posts had already been made. I would rather see the mods direct the off-topic content to another area rather than move the thread and encourage broad, off-topic commentary by a couple of members.

[OC Richard]

For sure it's difficult, with so many potential crossover topics.

For example, taking only the first page of "general kilt talk" there's a thread about sporrans, a thread about feather bonnets, a thread about boots, and a thread about a jacket. All could potentially be moved to "accessories".

The term "accessories" means different things to different people. For whatever reason I consider the things that actually clothe the body, and usually made of woven or knit wool (hats, jackets, kilts, socks) to be "clothing" and the other things, usually leather or metal (belts, sporrans, kilt pins, cap badges) to be "accessories".

A kilt jacket, to me, cannot be regarded as an accessory because its equivalent Saxon thing is an inseparable part of the suit. A Highland "suit of clothes" (as it were) would consist of the kilt, jacket, and hose (which are an exposed essential element, not hidden like the socks worn with a Saxon suit). Indeed the visual impact of Highland Dress is divided into three somewhat equal thirds hose/kilt/jacket (covering the same space as the trousers and jacket of a Saxon suit). "Accessories" then might be everything else.

What I tend to post here are 1) things regarding vintage kilt photos and 2) things regarding Highland military garb, there being no "Highland military dress" forum (I sometimes wish there were).

Well I suppose trying to keep the boundaries between sections maintained is a constant headache for the moderators. Since there's so much overlap I don't think about it much, however one thread of mine was moved to a patently incorrect forum: a thread about the Cumbric language which was moved to the "Gaelic languages" forum. Putting aside the fact that "Gaelic languages" is itself an oxymoron, there are no grounds for putting a thread about a language which is not Gaelic into that forum (unless of course the forum is re-named). I correctly put my post in the "miscellaneous" forum, but it was moved.

It would be like having a thread about the Toyota Landcruiser moved into a forum called "The Jeep Wranglers".

[WVHighlander]

Nathan,

I think this is well said/written.


John

[Spartan Tartan]

I have noticed this as well, Nathan. I have also began less frequent visits to the site because the section I enjoy seems to be dying and all the interesting topics are moved elsewhere.

Admittedly, I am not a high volume contributor, but I DO come to this sub forum specifically because I enjoy the discussions had. It has become increasingly difficult to find the threads that interest me recently due to their being moved.

[ASinclair]

Nathan, I have also been surprised to see several threads on traditional highland dress get moved to other forums. While following the wonderful thread where you and Colin provided excellent examples of THCD, I was surprised to see us get slammed for our attitude toward our non-traditional kilt-wearing brethren. I used to view all forums, but now just look mainly at this one, assuming that this is where we are supposed to stay in order to not step on any non-traditional toes. So I share your concern and confusion that threads discussing THCD keep getting moved to other forums.

[Tobus]

I'm glad you brought this up, Nathan. I have wondered the same thing. I admit that my main interest on this board is 'traditional kilt talk', and it seems to have been scattered to the proverbial winds of late. I may be missing some good topics because they're getting buried in subforums that I never open because they don't interest me.

[davidlpope]

I agree with Todd. The reason that I wear the kilt is to participate in and perpetuate a rich culture that originated in the Highlands of Scotland and has since spread to the rest of Scotland, Britain, the Empire, and the world. I suspect that many, if not most, of the folks on XMarks resonate with that, as well. The kilt will always be tied to the culture of Highland Scotland. I choose to celebrate that, rather than negate it.

If being a "non-conformist" is enough to merit a subforum, surely the same should be true for "conformists". Please create a subforum for those who desire to wear the kilt in a traditional Highland manner.

[macwilkin]

I agree with Todd. The reason that I wear the kilt is to participate in and perpetuate a rich culture that originated in the Highlands of Scotland and has since spread to the rest of Scotland, Britain, the Empire, and the world. I suspect that many, if not most, of the folks on XMarks resonate with that, as well. The kilt will always be tied to the culture of Highland Scotland. I choose to celebrate that, rather than negate it.

If being a "non-conformist" is enough to merit a subforum, surely the same should be true for "conformists". Please create a subforum for those who desire to wear the kilt in a traditional Highland manner.

To add to David's post: part of the issue may be the term "non-conformist". That term today has a very positive connotation, while "conformist" is almost always has a pejorative one. Let's face it, it's "cool" to be non-conformist.

I just noted the new forum sections have a "special occasion" one and a "non-conformist" one. Isn't that the same thing as saying THCD is creating a divide among forum members? If you're not a non-conformist, but only wear a kilt for "special occasions", you're somehow not as "cool"?

Again, I'm not trying to be disrespectful, especially to my contemporary kilt-wearers. I salute them for their own style. In the words of one of my favourite poems, "The Little Red God":

"[He] wears the clothes he likes to wear, never dreaming that people stare."

Ironically, I spent the weekend trying to find a pair of traditional-looking chukka boots online. I finally found a pair from Wolverine with the descriptor "Heritage". One of the customer reviews stated, "They look like pair of WWII USMC boots." That was enough to sell me. <grin> I march to my own drummer by seeking out garments in the style my grandfather would have worn, because they are "classic", "heritage" and dare I say it -- "traditional".

T.