What is Traditional Highland Dress?

[Jock Scot]

Oh I agree! Traditional Highland attire almost demands that not much matches! Alright let us use day wear as an example and start with the kilt. There are several thousand tartans to choose from and if we add the ancient, weathered, modern colour schemes plus variations from assorted weavers and mills there is a good chance of not much matching there. Even at a clan gathering. There are umpteen hundred different tweeds and at least three distinct styles of day wear jackets to choose from, plenty of scope there. There are multitudes of shirts, ties and hose to choose as well. So there is every chance that the "Brigade of Guards" look will be avoided. However, if one looks closely these are variations very much on the same theme and very traditional.I might add that I have not even mentioned in the equation that absolute essential of traditional highland attire-----personal flair. So I think the suggested starting time for traditional Highland attire is about right, say early 1900's (late Victorian) and for it to continue to this day with very little change(why re-invent the wheel?)and in truth I really cannot see it changing much for the foreseeable future.

[creagdhubh]

Interesting discussion gents. I rather enjoyed the conversation between Jock and MacLowlife. Thanks for making me think constructively and at a deeper level with regards to traditional Highland civilian attire versus Highland regimental (and piper's/drummer's) uniforms.

Kind regards,

[creagdhubh]

Oh I agree! Traditional Highland attire almost demands that not much matches! Alright let us use day wear as an example and start with the kilt. There are several thousand tartans to choose from and if we add the ancient, weathered, modern colour schemes plus variations from assorted weavers and mills there is a good chance of not much matching there. Even at a clan gathering. There are umpteen hundred different tweeds and at least three distinct styles of day wear jackets to choose from, plenty of scope there. There are multitudes of shirts, ties and hose to choose as well. So there is every chance that the "Brigade of Guards" look will be avoided. However, if one looks closely these are variations very much on the same theme and very traditional.I might add that I have not even mentioned in the equation that absolute essential of traditional highland attire-----personal flair. So I think the suggested starting time for traditional Highland attire is about right, say early 1900's (late Victorian) and for it to continue to this day with very little change(why re-invent the wheel?)and in truth I really cannot see it changing much for the foreseeable future.

I agree completely! Indeed Jock, the addition of personal flair to one's Highland attire is very important. I would like to begin wearing pocket squares with my Argyll jackets, acquirring hose in 'louder' colors, and continue creating interesting shirt/necktie combinations. I want my Highland attire to stand apart from everyone else's-not that I am trying to be ostentatious or even pretentious, I just want to adhere to my own personal style and flair-and still keep within the confines of what constitutes traditional Highland attire.

[ThistleDown]

The caution in all this is understanding the difference between "tradition", "fashion" and "personal style" as well as all the others when it comes to civilian Highland dress. It is "tradition" to wear black shoes regardless of the colour of your belt or sporran; it is "fashion" to tuck a hankie into your breast pocket; it is "style" to wear your grannie's choice round brooch 12 inches higher than the norm for a kilt pin.

It is "tradition" to ignore the dictates of current "fashion" and to accept eccentricities as "personal style" choices -- in the Highlands.

Rex

[Ancienne Alliance]

The caution in all this is understanding the difference between "tradition", "fashion" and "personal style" as well as all the others when it comes to civilian Highland dress. It is "tradition" to wear black shoes regardless of the colour of your belt or sporran; it is "fashion" to tuck a hankie into your breast pocket; it is "style" to wear your grannie's choice round brooch 12 inches higher than the norm for a kilt pin.

It is "tradition" to ignore the dictates of current "fashion" and to accept eccentricities as "personal style" choices -- in the Highlands.

Rex

Fascinating , Rex.
You summed it up in a few sentences. from what you said I could dare this one :
Traditions are my roots, I couldn't live without them.
Fashion brings something refreshing, like green leaves, I couldn't live without them.
Personal Choices are the flowers that will allow the tree to carry on... It woud be sad to live without them.


Best,

Robert

[Jock Scot]

I agree completely! Indeed Jock, the addition of personal flair to one's Highland attire is very important. I would like to begin wearing pocket squares with my Argyll jackets, acquirring hose in 'louder' colors, and continue creating interesting shirt/necktie combinations. I want my Highland attire to stand apart from everyone else's-not that I am trying to be ostentatious or even pretentious, I just want to adhere to my own personal style and flair-and still keep within the confines of what constitutes traditional Highland attire.

I am speaking generally here Kyle, not to you in particular, but what you are saying you are trying to achieve goes for all of us here, one way or another.

The problem is that we are all trying to do our own thing within a wide scope, yet trying, in reality, to conform and there is the one thing that gets in the way. That elusive and intangible thing "good taste".What is it? Does it matter? Read on.

Some of us have it, some of us don't, some of us can learn it, some of us don't bother too much and some of us, however hard we try, will never have it. It has little to do with wealth, although a shed load of loot does come in handy, it has little to do with breeding, or dare I say, class. Culture does play a major part and one part of the world does see things in a very different light to others.

In the great scheme of things does good taste matter? No, not one bit. BUT if we are going to wear clothes and we do and in our particular case here, we are wanting to wear the kilt. We can just wear whatever comes to hand, or we dress to please ourselves and others. Come every one admit it! We all like a compliment and none of us likes criticism and all this; "I dress how I want to and I don't care how I look, besides what has it got to do with you?" is just plain bravado.

Now I can go with the, "I will wear what I want" bit and the "what has it got to do with you?"slant to a degree. Both statements are quite correct, but it is how we put together that choice of ours, is where the good taste creeps in and there is a very thin dividing line between good and poor taste. It is here that others observe, from near and far and form an opinion on what we are wearing, for good or ill. What that is, is down to each and every one us to decide, and I, for one, am not brave enough to tell any of you what that might be! If you ask me(please don't!), then I will venture an opinion, whether anyone actually agrees with me is another matter entirely.

[Lachlan09]

I think it's a bit like wearing any sort of clothing, whether suits, smart/casual or just casual.

You own the clothes, the clothes don't own you. As long as you look good and feel right, that's what matters

[creagdhubh]

Fascinating , Rex.
You summed it up in a few sentences. from what you said I could dare this one :
Traditions are my roots, I couldn't live without them.
Fashion brings something refreshing, like green leaves, I couldn't live without them.
Personal Choices are the flowers that will allow the tree to carry on... It woud be sad to live without them.


Best,

Robert

Well said to you and Rex! I agree completely!

[creagdhubh]

I think it's a bit like wearing any sort of clothing, whether suits, smart/casual or just casual.

You own the clothes, the clothes don't own you. As long as you look good and feel right, that's what matters

Yes!

[creagdhubh]

I am speaking generally here Kyle, not to you in particular, but what you are saying you are trying to achieve goes for all of us here, one way or another.

The problem is that we are all trying to do our own thing within a wide scope, yet trying, in reality, to conform and there is the one thing that gets in the way. That elusive and intangible thing "good taste".What is it? Does it matter? Read on.

Some of us have it, some of us don't, some of us can learn it, some of us don't bother too much and some of us, however hard we try, will never have it. It has little to do with wealth, although a shed load of loot does come in handy, it has little to do with breeding, or dare I say, class. Culture does play a major part and one part of the world does see things in a very different light to others.

In the great scheme of things does good taste matter? No, not one bit. BUT if we are going to wear clothes and we do and in our particular case here, we are wanting to wear the kilt. We can just wear whatever comes to hand, or we dress to please ourselves and others. Come every one admit it! We all like a compliment and none of us likes criticism and all this; "I dress how I want to and I don't care how I look, besides what has it got to do with you?" is just plain bravado.

Now I can go with the, "I will wear what I want" bit and the "what has it got to do with you?"slant to a degree. Both statements are quite correct, but it is how we put together that choice of ours, is where the good taste creeps in and there is a very thin dividing line between good and poor taste. It is here that others observe, from near and far and form an opinion on what we are wearing, for good or ill. What that is, is down to each and every one us to decide, and I, for one, am not brave enough to tell any of you what that might be! If you ask me(please don't!), then I will venture an opinion, whether anyone actually agrees with me is another matter entirely.

Quite right Jock, well said as always and thank you for you comments. I understand your point completely.

Slainte,