Dress Codes

[rondo]

so that brings up the question what is Canadian National Attire?

I vote for toques and flannel shirts...
Rondo

[CMcG]

If Jock Scot were my host I would wear my dinner jacket, however that brings up the question is a tuxedo National Attire, and if it is would it be acceptable as Canadian National Attire? Given the history I'd say it is not Canadian National Dress, so that brings up the question what is Canadian National Attire?

If Jock Scot invited me to his hypothetical National Attire Party, I most definitely would NOT wear the kilt either!

I still don't think there is such a thing as Canadian national attire that would be suitable for more formal dress codes. For casual wear, one can dress like a "hoser," though there are negative stereotypes associated with that.

What if Canadian national attire was ethnic dress that had been Canadianized? Or some sort of multicultural hybrid drawing on the national attire of various nations?

[McMurdo]

What if Canadian national attire was ethnic dress that had been Canadianized? Or some sort of multicultural hybrid drawing on the national attire of various nations?

That is interesting, I suppose if that is the way it goes then I'd say a Maple Leaf tartan kilt would be acceptable most places, provided it was dressed up properly.

It might be interesting to note that the first time I wore the kilt was for what was called at work a Heritage night. We were encouraged to bring in food and music from the countries of our family origin, and to dress in the national costume of our ancestors. I wore my dad's old kilt and brought in shortbread, steak pie, haggis and pipe music. The shortbread and steak pie were a big hit, and I ate leftover haggis for a week. The kilt was a great success as well and I was asked to wear it again, I started wearing it 2 or 3 days a week, then I was given the kilt my twin brother was married in, and ordered one for myself, it was at that point that I started wearing the kilt daily.

It seems to me after reading this thread that this attitude of wearing the National Costume of our ancestors seems a decidedly North American one. Perhaps this is simply a function of young countries who have as yet not determined their own National costume. I do think it is also worth noting that Canada is part of the Commonwealth and may therefore retain closer ties to the old country than the United States. We do after all have kilted regiments in Canada, a province named Nova Scotia (New Scotland) and a National tartan, it makes me wonder if we could make a case for the kilt to also become the National Costume of Canada. Of course as with the Heritage Night at work all those years ago there are Canadians from all corners of the earth, who have brought their customs and heritage here, they have every right I think, to continue practicing their customs. So perhaps in our Mulicultural country having one National costume may be counter intuitive. In this case I see no reason Scots ex pats and their families should not wear the kilt, celebrate Burns Night, take up Scottish Country Dancing or joining your local St. Andrews Society.

[Bugbear]

After this thread, I think I'll just become a naturist.

[rondo]

After this thread, I think I'll just become a naturist.

OMG! Bugbear...please put on your kilt! lol
Rondo

[kc8ufv]

After this thread, I think I'll just become a naturist.

I'll join you, Bug, especially if this thread were combined with a couple others.

[Father Bill]

There is a strong function here in the "New World" of having had very little history compared to those nations and regions of the "Old World." It results in a lot of things that not all "Old Worlders" understand because they seem bizarre to them, but I would agree that we haven't had time in Canada to develop a "traditional" dress, merely some "wink-and-nudge" comments about hosers, etc. This all results in some "Old Worlders" being fascinated/ horrified/ amused/ puzzled at our penchant for adopting "their" dress as our own, when we look back up our family tree.

Bottom line, as has been intimated recently above, were we ever actually required to wear a traditional native dress, having none, Bugbear's plans might be the result . . . and that really would be the bottom line.

[Jock Scot]

While I bow to Jock Scot’s superior knowledge in matters regarding kilts and tartans, I do find it odd (and I mean this with no disrespect) that while insisting that the kilt is Highland dress (as opposed to general Scottish wear), in his military career he served with an English regiment.
To quote the King of Siam: “Is a puzzlement!”
Regards,
Mike

You know how it is with the army, Mike,----the British army anyway---- you go where you are ordered to go!

[McClef]

After this thread, I think I'll just become a naturist.

"Without photos it didn't happen!"

[Father Bill]

And for that, "Thanks be to God!"