Too Traditional?

[creagdhubh]

I've been following this thread keenly (although I've only just posted a reply).

My own thoughts on the matter are this:

It is not possible to be too traditional (full stop).

It is however, possible to be over or under-dressed. It is possible to be too matchy. It is possible to be too old-fashioned, too theatrical, too modern even.

The main point I'm trying to make is that many outfits/accessories might be considered traditional (in various combinations) but the problem arises when the wrong outfit or the wrong accessories are worn in the wrong situation. Example: an Argyll jacket is traditional, as is a Sheriffmuir doublet. However, there are situations where one or the other might be inappropriate (hopefully this will be obvious, although I fear it isn't) (Bearing in mind of course the lack of a RULE book!)

I wore this to a wedding in Spain last week:





(sorry for the closed eyes... bad timing)

One can see that I am wearing a glengarry, which could be considered traditional- but, would it be appropriate outside performing my duties as the piper (I was also a guest)? No. Hence, I dropped it when I dropped the pipes. The other question arises: whether or not the kilt was traditional attire for a Spanish wedding...? Well, no, it's not. But- the wedding in question was at least half Scottish, with the groom and his family being Scottish (almost all the gents kilted), and the bride being Spanish. I was asked to pipe (and wear the kilt) so it was appropriate. (On a side note, I don't have pics of the other kilted men- only the ones that were taken here by a friend- at least until the official pics come back).

Tobus and a few others have raised the excellent point that one can often be over-dressed, simply because the rest of the people around you are under-dressed. This is a tricky one, but I imagine that all that can be done in these situations is to set a good example- this is what I hope to do, not over-doing it, just attempting to let it be seen that I am doing the best I can. (At least, I try!) Also, that it's nice to pay a bit of attention to how one presents oneself. The other thing to remember is that there are simply a large number of people nowadays (particularly, although not exclusively, men) who just don't seem to care how they dress... or at least what seems to be fashionable is to dress as slovenly as possible- at least when compared with the "styles" of eras past. (Think ill-fitting jackets, underpants as an accessory! )

Basically, I think it's a question of doing the best we can with our attire, without crossing the border into fantasy or theatre, and to bear in mind how we can be as smartly dressed as possible for the occassion without over-doing it. I understand that to some (especially people here on this forum- bearing in mind it is a forum with a sartorial basis) this comes completely naturally, seeemingly without any effort at all. While others of us might struggle somewhat- but that's why we're here, to get advice, to get feedback, criticism and hopefully also pass on some of our own knowledge or wisdom.

Cheers,

Michael

Well said, Michael!