Too Traditional?

[davidlpope]

Early in the season? A collared shirt and a pair of khakis. Mid-season? A collared shirt, khakis, and a tweed jacket or sweater. Late season? A collared shirt, khakis, a sweater, and my Coast Guard surplus pea coat. But I'm 44 years old now. I don't remember what I wore back in the day, but it was likely more casual and undoubtedly blue jeans. But then I was much more concerned with who was at the Cat's Cradle than the football game anyway.

The Old Cradle...Yeah. Saw a band called Metal Flake Mother there before it moved down to Carrboro.

Negative. But you knew that already. Apologies to those who were.

Now, we've probably taken enough of a detour. Thanks, Colin, for getting it back on track.

Yeah, I figured you for a GDI.




I guess if a fellow wears the kilt day in and day out he'd be hard pressed to dress traditionally. Perhaps that's where the scrunched-down socks, hiking boots, t-shirt, and leather jacket (a la Duncan from MOTG) kicks in.

As I understand it, though, the traditional method of wearing a kilt is NOT to wear it day in and day out. So perhaps this really isn't a issue that traditional kilt wearers face?

[CMcG]

I guess if a fellow wears the kilt day in and day out he'd be hard pressed to dress traditionally. Perhaps that's where the scrunched-down socks, hiking boots, t-shirt, and leather jacket (a la Duncan from MOTG) kicks in.

As I understand it, though, the traditional method of wearing a kilt is NOT to wear it day in and day out. So perhaps this really isn't a issue that traditional kilt wearers face?

We have a few members who like to wear their kilts for everyday attire and can often be seen doing so in an informal-though-traditional way. Dale Seago comes to mind as a particularly good example. Tartan kilt, hose up, garter ties, leather shoes, button up shirt (rolled/short sleeves for the heat, or a sweater for the cold), belt, sporran, sgian. He usually takes it easy on mixing patterns and colours, without necessarily being all matchy either. His leather jacket (from Stillwater) is obviously not traditional, but at least it is cut just like an Argyll

You're right though that the tradition in Scotland for a long time was to reserve one's expensive tank for special occasions. In that case, traditional kilt wearers need only dress to the correct level of formality and avoid overdoing their accessories in a theatrical or historical way. With the advent of inexpensive kilts, I think many people in Scotland are wearing them more often, though no-one would accuse the Tartan Army of being too traditional

[ThistleDown]

You're right though that the tradition in Scotland for a long time was to reserve one's expensive tank for special occasions. In that case, traditional kilt wearers need only dress to the correct level of formality and avoid overdoing their accessories in a theatrical or historical way. With the advent of inexpensive kilts, I think many people in Scotland are wearing them more often, though no-one would accuse the Tartan Army of being too traditional

Well, no, not quite so, Colin. A special occasion requires -- today as always -- the wearing of ones best attire suitable to the occasion. In the Highlands no one sets aside a special kilt for wear at specific events, if that is what you are saying. Neither is it true that our only kilts are heavy ones worn only at special times.

We always -- in the past and roday, too -- present ourselves as best we are able at special occasions

[MacMillans son]

We always -- in the past and roday, too -- present ourselves as best we are able at special occasions

I think you hit on something there that is at the heart of some of the earlier discussions Rex, that being, what constitutes a special occasion? For some of us, Highland games are a "special occasion" where we take the opportunity to put on our best, weather appropriate, Highland attire and enjoy the day as an opportunity to show respect and pride in our heritage. Others see Highland games as just that, a sporting event, no different than a football game. Neither are wrong, but motivations for each choice are sometimes misunderstood by the other. The first being perceived as being phony or putting on airs, the other as being sloppy and disrespectful of tradition. For me, going out to a nice dinner, a professional theater performance or ballet are examples of special occasions, and I dress accordingly. For others, those are just things to do and they arrive dressed as such. I guess, as usual, it just comes down to perspective and preference.

Regards,
Brooke

[creagdhubh]

I think you hit on something there that is at the heart of some of the earlier discussions Rex, that being, what constitutes a special occasion? For some of us, Highland games are a "special occasion" where we take the opportunity to put on our best, weather appropriate, Highland attire and enjoy the day as an opportunity to show respect and pride in our heritage. Others see Highland games as just that, a sporting event, no different than a football game. Neither are wrong, but motivations for each choice are sometimes misunderstood by the other. The first being perceived as being phony or putting on airs, the other as being sloppy and disrespectful of tradition. For me, going out to a nice dinner, a professional theater performance or ballet are examples of special occasions, and I dress accordingly. For others, those are just things to do and they arrive dressed as such. I guess, as usual, it just comes down to perspective and preference.

Regards,
Brooke

***

[Ryan Ross]

Well, no, not quite so, Colin. A special occasion requires -- today as always -- the wearing of ones best attire suitable to the occasion. In the Highlands no one sets aside a special kilt for wear at specific events, if that is what you are saying. Neither is it true that our only kilts are heavy ones worn only at special times.

We always -- in the past and roday, too -- present ourselves as best we are able at special occasions

No, I think you miss Colin's point- I do believe that he may be refering to Jock's oft mentioned idea that the "traditional" way in the Highlands is to have only one kilt, and that said kilt would be your "expensive tank for special occasions"... and that the less espensive, lighter kilts are helping folks to get away from the particular tradition of special events kilting only.

Of course, I could be completely wrong there, or in turn, this could be another case of a part-time Highlander speaking (with concrete certainty) in the place of a whole region of full-time highlanders.

[CMcG]

Well, no, not quite so, Colin. A special occasion requires -- today as always -- the wearing of ones best attire suitable to the occasion. In the Highlands no one sets aside a special kilt for wear at specific events, if that is what you are saying. Neither is it true that our only kilts are heavy ones worn only at special times.

We always -- in the past and roday, too -- present ourselves as best we are able at special occasions

No, I think you miss Colin's point- I do believe that he may be refering to Jock's oft mentioned idea that the "traditional" way in the Highlands is to have only one kilt, and that said kilt would be your "expensive tank for special occasions"... and that the less espensive, lighter kilts are helping folks to get away from the particular tradition of special events kilting only.

Of course, I could be completely wrong there, or in turn, this could be another case of a part-time Highlander speaking (with concrete certainty) in the place of a whole region of full-time highlanders.

ThistleDown, apologies for not expressing myself better. I think Ryan has paraphrased my idea a bit more clearly.

I was under the impression that -- for the better part of the twentieth century -- the majority of kilt wearers in Scotland would have owned only one kilt and it would have been a hand sewn, heavy weight, worsted wool, knife pleated, 8ish yards, clan tartan kilt aka a tank. Given that such a garment is precious, it would only have been worn for special occasions. Some lucky folks may have had another older, probably inherited kilt for bashing around in, but the advent of casual or pub kilts is a fairly recent phenomenon. Is this perhaps, not entirely true?

And yes, wearing one's best attire that is suitable for the occasion always sounds like the right way to go to me. As MacMillan's son has noted, however, what constitutes a "special" occasion may be a more debatable topic... "one's best attire" and "suitable" might also sometimes be contested

*edit* and Jock Scot beats me to the post!

[ThistleDown]

I was under the impression that -- for the better part of the twentieth century -- the majority of kilt wearers in Scotland would have owned only one kilt and it would have been a hand sewn, heavy weight, worsted wool, knife pleated, 8ish yards, clan tartan kilt aka a tank. Given that such a garment is precious, it would only have been worn for special occasions. Some lucky folks may have had another older, probably inherited kilt for bashing around in, but the advent of casual or pub kilts is a fairly recent phenomenon. Is this perhaps, not entirely true?

Yes, that was the way in Scotland for much of the 20C just as it was in North America and elsewhere, Colin. As Jock says, it is difficult to properly explain. It is not that it is or ever was "traditional" in the Highlands to own just one kilt, but for most of us it was economically impossible to own more than one -- unless we inherited, which I did and I believe Jock did, too. Many others I know had the same good fortune. But the fact is that until very, very recently, there was not the wherewithall to have closets full of clothing, Highland or not. We largely made do with what we had and that was the tradition. In many ways it has remained so to today.

There is little wealth in Highland Scotland and for most of us items of clothing are of very good quality because quality tends to last longer. But quality also costs more, so we have fewer items in total and we repair and make do with those that become damaged. Generally speaking we are a country folk; the kilt has no place in the mucking of a chicken coop, the mending of a road, or the digging of a sodden garden when there are hardier items designed for just those purposes.

We don't so much reserve the kilt for special occasions as allow the occasion, special or otherwise, to select the appropriate clothing for us. With a bit more disposable income we may buy a second or third kilt and allow earlier ones to hang in the closet more often. We don't wear Highland dress more frequently, therefore, but we do have an enlarged selection to choose from.

Instead of a Highland Games let's look at a Highland Game Fair because you don't have those in North America. There will be a few kilts around worn with jackets and ties and some with heavy jumpers (and ties), and there will be shooting, stalking and fishing attire worn in the Highland fashion. There will be children with faces painted, farmers in old tweed jackets, corduroy trousers and wellies, city folk on an outing in t-shirts, tatty jeans and brand new trainers. The new gentry will be there in fine tweeds from Bruar and Johnson's and the older gentry in well-worn hand-me-downs. There will even be a few young stags strutting about admiring their reflections and shadows. All are welcome and mingle without comment.

The occasion and its relevance is an individual thing. Sound familiar?

[CMcG]

Yes, that was the way in Scotland for much of the 20C just as it was in North America and elsewhere, Colin. As Jock says, it is difficult to properly explain. It is not that it is or ever was "traditional" in the Highlands to own just one kilt, but for most of us it was economically impossible to own more than one -- unless we inherited, which I did and I believe Jock did, too. Many others I know had the same good fortune. But the fact is that until very, very recently, there was not the wherewithall to have closets full of clothing, Highland or not. We largely made do with what we had and that was the tradition. In many ways it has remained so to today.

...

The occasion and its relevance is an individual thing. Sound familiar?

Very well put ThistleDown, thank you. I like the way you have relocated tradition back into its original, more natural context.

[Bugbear]

Generally speaking we are a country folk; the kilt has no place in the mucking of a chicken coop, the mending of a road, or the digging of a sodden garden when there are hardier items designed for just those purposes.

Fair enough, if we are discussing only the traditional wool kilt in the last hundred or a little more years.

Instead of a Highland Games let's look at a Highland Game Fair because you don't have those in North America. There will be a few kilts around worn with jackets and ties and some with heavy jumpers (and ties), and there will be shooting, stalking and fishing attire worn in the Highland fashion. There will be children with faces painted, farmers in old tweed jackets, corduroy trousers and wellies, city folk on an outing in t-shirts, tatty jeans and brand new trainers. The new gentry will be there in fine tweeds from Bruar and Johnson's and the older gentry in well-worn hand-me-downs. There will even be a few young stags strutting about admiring their reflections and shadows. All are welcome and mingle without comment.

The occasion and its relevance is an individual thing. Sound familiar?

Thanks for providing that description, ThistleDown.