Too Traditional?

**SlackerDrummer** · 11th April 12, 08:34 AM

@Nick
Personal flair is no more difficult with Highland attire than it is with a suit, which you are too young to know about.

Part of it is the accessories: with a suit, your shirt, tie, handkerchief, etc.; with your kilt, it's your shirt tie, sporran, hose, much more than your jacket. But it's not just what you wear; it's how you wear it. Take a journey down to your local courthouse on any given day. It's easy to pick some of the attorneys from their clients, even if both are wearing suits.

**creagdhubh** · 11th April 12, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Zardoz

I think the "blazing hot" part is why basically no one around here dresses that traditionally! What sort of reactions did you get? Not sure which games that was, but looking at the other folks in your pic from the event it seems sunny and hot, so personally I would not have gone for the shirt and tie-waistcoat thing.

If it is really, really hot, then I opt to wear a long sleeved, collared shirt with the shirtsleeves rolled up a couple of times, kilt, sporran, hose, and maybe a Balmoral. I do not wear t-shirts (undershirts) alone with the kilt, or even a polo-shirt - always a collared, button down shirt - even if I am wearing a jumper.

Me in Pitlochry, 2009 - it got pretty warm that day!

Kentucky Scottish Weekend, 2011.

Cheers,

**Panache** · 11th April 12, 09:37 AM

This has certainly been a very enjoyable thread to read and participate in. What I have taken away from it is that there is no absolute simple black/white, right/wrong, yes/no to traditional highland dress. There are guidelines, there are precedents, but not necessarily hard and fast rules. The basic guidelines are sensible.

Less is more,
Function over form,
Don't overdress,
Don't underdress,
This is clothing not costume,
The individual's own style is part of highland style

And of course one definite fact has come of this thread

Traditional Highland Dress is alive and well!

Thanks Colin and to all that shared their experiences, Wisdom and wonderful photos!

I doff my plumed hat to all of you

Cheers

Jamie

**creagdhubh** · 11th April 12, 09:39 AM

Well said Jamie and I couldn't agree more! Great photo by the way (with the car)!

Slainte,

**Zardoz** · 11th April 12, 09:45 AM

Well Kyle, I'm not sure how hot and humid it gets in Pitlochry in September or Kentucky in may, but the last games I attended in central Texas were in September 2011 at the end of 40 or so days of 100 degree-plus weather, and 3 months of severe drought.

**creagdhubh** · 11th April 12, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Zardoz

Well Kyle, I'm not sure how hot and humid it gets in Pitlochry in September or Kentucky in may, but the last games I attended in central Texas were in September 2011 at the end of 40 or so days of 100 degree-plus weather, and 3 months of severe drought.

Ugh, I couldn't deal with that kind of heat! I'm originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and I have experienced some very hot temps there, with about 100% humidity - definitely not good kilt weather!

If it's too darn hot, I'll forgo wearing the kilt altogether.

Cheers,

**Mael Coluim** · 11th April 12, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Ugh, I couldn't deal with that kind of heat! I'm originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and I have experienced some very hot temps there, with about 100% humidity - definitely not good kilt weather!

If it's too darn hot, I'll forgo wearing the kilt altogether.

Cheers,

Kyle,
Forgo the kilt! More sensible Southerns turn to their PV kilts and polo-shirts.

**creagdhubh** · 11th April 12, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Mael Coluim

Kyle,
Forgo the kilt! More sensible Southerns turn to their PV kilts and polo-shirts.

Yes Ern, I am afraid you heard me say it!

I do not own any PV kilts (only heavyweight 8 yarders) and reserve my polos for khakis, reds, or madras - just my preference. Thankfully, most of the Scottish-related events that I attend throughout the year are during quite seasonable months and of course in the wintertime (Burns Night, Hogmanay, etc). It never gets too hot whilst attending my clan's annual gathering and rally during the summertime in the central Scottish Highlands, but the weather can change 'on a dime' up north.

'Rock-climbing' at the Missouri Botanical Garden in Saint Louis, Missouri, July 2011. This is the attire I prefer to wear if it is terribly hot and humid out. Do my 'tartan' shorts count for anything?

Cheers,