I keep thinking about the difference between "traditional" and "conservative". Traditional is a flannel sportcoat with metal buttons. A conservative one is navy blue, but a bright red, yellow, or green one can still traditional, even one made from patches of madras or tartan. Somehow, I do not think of a black one as being either, no matter how sleek and sober it might be...

And this connects directly to my own evolving taste in highland dress, which is mostly traditional. Before XMTS, I based most of my kiltwear decisions on Charles Thompson's SO YOU'RE GOING TO WEAR THE KILT, on personal observation, and on sound personal advice. That led to a few actions I regret, such as buying and wearing a ( MoD Issue) piper's (bandsman's) jacket for civilian black tie. It really didn't look bad, but then neither did Bertie's white mess jacket, I expect. It is heavy and it is hot as the devil, though.

I have enjoyed seeing the broad range of kiltwear displayed on XMTS, but I can't say that I have changed many ideas. I have just learned to keep my mouth shut about the ones that are less universally held in these parts. Some of what I have learned here I also keep to myself elsewhere. I didn't need a lot of convincing about white hose, but I am not going to bother most of my kilted friends who still wear them, or fly plaids, or funny shoes that do not look like MY funny shoes.

Think back to a childhood time before you traveled. You had ideas about things and you had a wardrobe, whether or not you spent a lot of time and energy on it. At some point, you traveled farther, maybe to study or to work. As money and availability allowed, you got more clothes. If you were like me, you bought a few things that turned out not to be as cool as you first thought and you may even have wanted something for a long time, then changed your mind before you actually got it.

Chances are, if our tastes didn't evolve, we'd all still be wearing sailor suits and cowboy boots. ( But then, a lot of people DO wear cowboy boots and at least bell bottomed trousers.)

I wonder, as I type this, what effect adding a pipe major to the Village People might have.

Somebody already pointed out the shift from costume to attire. I guess that is the single biggest step I have taken and the one I would most heartily recommend.

Thanks one and all for this great post and the great contributions.

as aye,

M'll