Too Traditional?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

On the contrary, I think everyone else was underdressed.

This is the same issue I have. If everyone else attending the Games wants to wear boots and scrunched hose, or worse - flip flops! - does that mean someone who actually shows up in appropriate attire is the one who is not correct?

I do understand and agree that context is very important when choosing what's most appropriate. But IMHO, we do ourselves a disservice trying to lower ourselves to the "common denominator" of those around us who choose only to wear casual, slovenly, or downright inappropriate attire (whether they be kilted or not). So the important question here is this: what is more important for context when choosing appropriate clothing? The event itself, or the sartorial whims of the masses?

For myself, I see nothing wrong with following the example set by Scots when wearing their cultural garb, and ignoring the American "peer pressure" to fit in with the herd. While it may seem overdressed when compared to the crowd of casually-dressed guests, perhaps it also simultaneously sets a good example that others may decide to follow.

Yup. What Tobus said.

[David Thorpe]

At last Saturday's Tartan day event, I was the only man wearing a jacket (tweed, no waistcoat) and beside the pipe band, dancers and one or two others, the only man wearing a tie. Quite a few kilts with polo shirts, tee shirts, sneakers, etc. OTOH, many of the ladies were nicely dressed in sashes and/or tartan hostess skirts. I had no inclination to look down my nose at anyone there, regardless of their apparel choices. But I was quite comfortable being in traditional day wear appropriate to the venue and event. The few comments I received were all positive.
If you want to wear a kilt with casual, modern jeans outfits, that's fine with me. I may join you when the occasion calls for it. IMHO a Tartan Day celebration does not.

[Father Bill]

Kyle, looks good to me. I agree that there are a lot of folks in our modern world and society who dress poorly.

[CMcG]

Just to reiterate, I too think Kyle looks smashing in his Highland attire

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I do not think my attire was too traditional, or that I was overdressed in regards to the context of the event and the temperature outside - absolutely not.

You would know the scene there better (i.e. I didn't know it followed a Highland Games format) and I'm glad you were setting a good example. I still can't help but think that bringing the cromach to an event where it apparently wasn't needed is a bit too much... and if you are unwilling to jock your bonnet, you better start wearing it more often to get that fifty mission crush

On the contrary, I think everyone else was underdressed.
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I do understand and agree that context is very important when choosing what's most appropriate. But IMHO, we do ourselves a disservice trying to lower ourselves to the "common denominator" of those around us who choose only to wear casual, slovenly, or downright inappropriate attire (whether they be kilted or not). So the important question here is this: what is more important for context when choosing appropriate clothing? The event itself, or the sartorial whims of the masses?
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Good points, Tobus.

I fear that overdressing -- compared to the "common masses" at the event one "lowers oneself" to attend (where is the sarcasm smilie?) -- can also be problematic. Now Kyle has assured us that he is not the only one who dresses more smartly at this particular event. But if he were the lone voice in the wilderness, so to speak, there is the danger of making the kilt look like a uniform or worse, a costume.

If the idea is to set a good example that others might follow, then making the kilt appear accessible -- but still traditional, of course -- is not so bad, is it? I hope no-one is suggesting that the other pictures of Kyle that I re-posted, where he is wearing a shirt or a shirt and a sweater, would be "casual, slovenly, or downright inappropriate"?

To answer your question then, I think that it is ideal to find a balance between the traditionally appropriate options for a certain type of event, and the location/crowd who are attending a particular event.

... I insisted on wearing neck ties almost everyday when I was in elementary school, even though there was no formal dress code and most kids were wearing t-shirts ...

You know, I did the same thing for a few years in elementary ith:

[Father Bill]

Just to reiterate, I too think Kyle looks smashing in his Highland attire



You would know the scene there better (i.e. I didn't know it followed a Highland Games format) and I'm glad you were setting a good example. I still can't help but think that bringing the cromach to an event where it apparently wasn't needed is a bit too much... and if you are unwilling to jock your bonnet, you better start wearing it more often to get that fifty mission crush



Good points, Tobus.

I fear that overdressing -- compared to the "common masses" at the event one "lowers oneself" to attend (where is the sarcasm smilie?) -- can also be problematic. Now Kyle has assured us that he is not the only one who dresses more smartly at this particular event. But if he were the lone voice in the wilderness, so to speak, there is the danger of making the kilt look like a uniform or worse, a costume.

If the idea is to set a good example that others might follow, then making the kilt appear accessible -- but still traditional, of course -- is not so bad, is it? I hope no-one is suggesting that the other pictures of Kyle that I re-posted, where he is wearing a shirt or a shirt and a sweater, would be "casual, slovenly, or downright inappropriate"?

To answer your question then, I think that it is ideal to find a balance between the traditionally appropriate options for a certain type of event, and the location/crowd who are attending a particular event.



You know, I did the same thing for a few years in elementary ith:

I think that perhaps what you're saying about leadership is that if you get too far ahead of your troops, your silhouette going over the hill starts to look like that of the enemy coming the other way.

Agreed, but always push the envelope in the proper direction!

Well done, lad!

[CMcG]

I think that perhaps what you're saying about leadership is that if you get too far ahead of your troops, your silhouette going over the hill starts to look like that of the enemy coming the other way.

Agreed, but always push the envelope in the proper direction!

Well done, lad!

Thank you Father, that is an excellent analogy!

And of course, ever forward

[Tobus]

I hope no-one is suggesting that the other pictures of Kyle that I re-posted, where he is wearing a shirt or a shirt and a sweater, would be "casual, slovenly, or downright inappropriate"?

Nope, even when Kyle is dressed down, he still represents the kilt well. All those photos you posted of him would have been fine for a Highland Games (and still better dressed than most who attend the ones here in my area).

Your point is well-taken, CMcG. And to echo the others, I'm really enjoying following this conversation and jumping in now and then. This is the kind of really good food-for-thought that we all need from time to time.

Striking a balance between "staunchly traditional" and "local crowd-contextual" is probably a good thing. But it's not always easy to find, and can take experimentation.

[David Thorpe]

Striking a balance between "staunchly traditional" and "local crowd-contextual" is probably a good thing. But it's not always easy to find, and can take experimentation.

It seems to me, anecdotally, that the "norm" for dress in general here in the US has followed a downward slope toward hideously casual for a long time. I don't remember when I was a kid seeing people at the grocery store in dirty, torn jeans and tee shirts, nor women with bra straps showing from beneath tank tops, lycra shorts, sweatshirts and sweatpants, flip-flops and the like. I think perhaps this trend has carried over into other situations as well. Church used to mean jacket and tie. Now it seems more come-as-you-are even if you're in your jammies or just finished rotating your tires.
For me, part of the charm of THCD is that it is very conservative in the slow-to-change sense of the term. It recalls a time when people took pride in their appearance in all circumstances outside their front doors.
I am not suggesting that we all should return to Victorian standards, nor legislate fashion police, but criticizing anyone for conforming to basic standards of THCD appropriate to the occasion is ludicrous.
In short, maybe we should be discussing "overly casual" rather than "too traditional".
As always, YMMV.

[Dale Seago]

For me, part of the charm of THCD is that it is very conservative in the slow-to-change sense of the term. It recalls a time when people took pride in their appearance in all circumstances outside their front doors.

That's part of it for me too.

In short, maybe we should be discussing "overly casual" rather than "too traditional".
As always, YMMV.

That might actually be worth a whole 'nother thread.

[CMcG]

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In short, maybe we should be discussing "overly casual" rather than "too traditional".

That is what the Contemporarily Made Kilts and How to Wear Them sub-forum is for