"Scots trip up on kilt style" (article)

[CMcG]

Here is an interesting BBC article about some research that was recently conducted on Scottish weddings. Looks like even native Scots don't always get it "right"...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/2075844.stm

[creagdhubh]

Here is an interesting BBC article about some research that was recently conducted on Scottish weddings. Looks like even native Scots don't always get it "right"...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/2075844.stm

Interesting! I think Jock will appreciate the flat cap comment!

[Peter Crowe]

I would agree about Kilts that are too long (below the middle of the knee-cap) and flat caps, but I am not convinced about 'Culloden' shirts. As to underwear that is a personal matter and not one in which I care to opine.

[MacMillans son]

Unfortunate, though not surprising.

If an item is relegated to use 1-2 times a year, and for special occasions only, it seems likely that it's "proper" use would diminish over time as well. I suspect that as the kilt was relegated to "special use only" by some, there were others who interpreted that practice as "not important enough to wear regularly". If it's not important enough to wear, why would it be important enough to wear it "right" ?

Perhaps it is in Scotland that, by some, the Kilt has been relegated to "That thing we wear when playing Scottish dress up" ?

(OK, that was a slightly resentful response to a post in a previous thread )

[English Bloke]

I have a Scottish "Kilt Shirt". It's black.


(Not mine but in this style, as worn by The Corries, Circa 1960's)



I bought it because it was the shirt that I'd seen many kilted Scotsmen wearing and in my higgorance thought it was traditional. I have worn it once, but only in a try it on stylee. I decided it was far too flouncy for me. It is however the most commonly seen shirt with kilt "outfits" in all of Scotland, based only on my observation of course.

The Kilt is worn in many differing ways in Scotland. I personally don't care.

I try to listen and learn from everybody and adapt what I see and read, to wear the Kilt as I think best suits me.

How I wear MY Kilt is my take, and my opinion of what looks good for me may not be to everyones taste.

So be it.

[CMcG]

<snip>
I try to listen and learn from everybody and adapt what I see and read, to wear the Kilt as I think best suits me.

How I wear MY Kilt is my take, and my opinion of what looks good for me may not be to everyones taste.

So be it.

The phenomenon of weak kilt style mentioned in the article was attributed to lack of experience and poor guidance from hire shops. Given how often you wear the kilt and your level of involvement on kilt fora English Bloke, I think you have a leg up on some of those poor "kilted but once a year" Scots. You actually take the time to figure out what you think suits you rather than relying on the advice of a rental catalogue!

As MacMillan's son mentioned, the relegation of the kilt to special occasions appears to be having a negative impact on the amount of experience that Scottish kilt wearers are getting with their national attire

[Mickey]

I'm looking forward to reading the book. I remember reading a post from Jock about how he came across a group of young lads who were very well turned out and how much he appreciated it. I wonder if the observations by the writer come from limited research, only in weddings, where the attendees perhaps are not Scots who have no choice but to rent/hire a kilt?

I find it odd that we (on this continent) are often corrected, yet this would be happening in Scotland so often without the same corrections. That someone, in all of these weddings, wouldn't offer some advice? That the only people knowledgeable about how to dress are the unknowing shop help?

Perhaps Jock and MoR and a few others could enlighten us as to whether the kilt is something that most folks would have? With all the readings here on folks who grew up in kilts and were taught early on how to wear it, the article sort of smacks me as a bit of book marketing. (it works, cuz I want to read it).

But I would still like to hear from our Scots on their own observations vs. this writer and author of the book.

[Dale Seago]

Looks like even native Scots don't always get it "right"...

Mr. Lockhart doesn't always get it right either:

In the book, Mr Lockhart writes: "The sgian dhu (skeen doo), which was once carried under the arm in a hidden shoulder holster. . ."

[Ryan Ross]

Mr. Lockhart doesn't always get it right either:

Touche.

[Jock Scot]

I could not agree more and much of the blame is to be laid at the doors of the hire companies. But not all. These days people from the Lowlands(mainly and don't forget they make up about 4/5ths of the population of Scotland)) with little or no kilt heritage have no one to advise them with a kilt background. Until fairly recently the military influence from serving and retired military men was spread around Scotland and without doubt that helped keep things on the straight and narrow. Also with the rise of the Internet's influence where those not in the know look up "what to do", or, "how to" and up comes a whole host of pictures of incorrectly worn kilts(Sir S. Connery is a classic example of how not to do it) and on the damage goes.

As we well know on this website----I think that many of you will agree that I do have some knowledge about this problem------- how difficult it is to convince people that what they are wearing and how they are wearing it, is genuinely the not the right thing----flat caps are actually a fine example-----kilts being worn too low is another-----once that germ of an idea takes root!