Too Traditional?

[Four]

I dig the socks, tartan kilt, sporran, some kilt socks, and maybe a tweed cap (not really traditional..) that thats about it, none of the crazy shirts, hats, or shoes.

[creagdhubh]

I dig the socks, tartan kilt, sporran, some kilt socks, and maybe a tweed cap (not really traditional..) that thats about it, none of the crazy shirts, hats, or shoes.

What do you mean by 'crazy shirts, hats, or shoes?'

[Four]

What do you mean by 'crazy shirts, hats, or shoes?'

For hats, i mean the bonnets, etc like this



For the shoes and shirts, i suppose i am somewhat more directing those to mean the more historical stuff, anything with frills (for the shirt) or Ghillie Brogues for the shoes.

I don't ever even ware collar shirts or dress shirts.. mostly solid color t-shirts. I, unfortunately havent even found a pair of shoes i like with my kilt.. i often wear flip flops

[CMcG]

There have been some really good replies to this question, which doesn't really surprise me because the traditionalists of XMarks are always sharp

A few people have mentioned the possibility of overdressing for an occasion; this may lie at the heart of what I fear to be too traditional. It could be something as obvious as being too formal, like wearing black tie attire to an afternoon tea party. It could also be having to sift out the influence of pipe bands from civilian attire. I might even be, as ForresterModern said, just trying too hard. But maybe some of the confusion and potential for error is in people mistaking something as a necessary, traditional, kilt thing (like hose), that is actually more circumstantial.

Take a cromach for example. I've never used one, but they appear to be a rather practical thing for walking/hiking in certain types of terrain and look like rather a nice thing to lean on while standing about at a Highland games. Carrying one about in the city, say, out to dinner and then a drink at the pub, might be not only impractical, but also silly. A cromach is, however, apparently a traditional and proper thing to have with you, under the right circumstances. A laird's plaid might also fall into this category, as would both rustic and fancy dirks.

MacMillan's Son was mentioning wearing a kilt to a non-Scottish event (particularly outside the UK) and that certain points of aesthetics in THCD might be perceived in a negative way. In order to wear the kilt in a way that won't make it look like a costume or like the person wearing it can't sort out themselves out, one might choose to keep things more simple in terms of colours and patterns. Though it may be more traditional to boldly mix those things up, but it would it be so bad to tone it down for a non-Scottish event? Say match one's leathers and not mix patterns?

Or one could just choose to reserve the kilt for more traditional events This is where davidlpope's excellent points come in to play and MoR agrees with thescot: I think I must concur that one can't be too traditional (at a Scottish event). In this case, I would much rather choose freely from the wide variety of THCD options and be "in the know," even if some of the other people still seem to think white hose, ghillie brogues, and a PC is the height of Highland style.

Something MacLowlife touched on is how styles can change, even within tradition. His example was lapel width, but perhaps there are others? davidlpope touched on this too in regards to people mistaking historical for traditional... not the "claymore and great kilt" kind of historical, but rather reviving pre-Edwardian styles. IMHO, this one is particularly dangerous as far as "too" traditional goes, and comes from overextending the definition of traditional into the past, without regard for current practice.

Rathdown, could Sir Harry have overstepped traditionally acceptable into caricature in the following? Or not. If so, how?

Thanks for the example because Sir Harry does look like he's gone too far to me. I suppose this is meant to be a daywear outfit? He's got everything and the kitchen sink going on there! But perhaps someone more knowledgeable than I could say what needs to be pruned to pull this back together?

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I don't ever even ware collar shirts or dress shirts.. mostly solid color t-shirts. I, unfortunately havent even found a pair of shoes i like with my kilt.. i often wear flip flops

I think perhaps, that you might not be able to get LESS traditional than a kilt, t-shirt, and flip flops

[creagdhubh]

Take a cromach for example. I've never used one, but they appear to be a rather practical thing for walking/hiking in certain types of terrain and look like rather a nice thing to lean on while standing about at a Highland games. Carrying one about in the city, say, out to dinner and then a drink at the pub, might be not only impractical, but also silly. A cromach is, however, apparently a traditional and proper thing to have with you, under the right circumstances. A laird's plaid might also fall into this category, as would both rustic and fancy dirks.

Fantastic point here! Well stated mate!

Cheers,