Too Traditional?

[ThistleDown]

Many thanks to Jock and Rex for their replies.


Well, I'm not sure what the answer is. What I think it comes down to (for those of us across the water) is this: if we emulate photos we see from the Highlands, we are often told that we are being costumish or "too traditional" because those photos don't represent the everyday way of wearing a kilt. We are told that we just don't get it. OK, fine, I can understand that. But if that's true, then surely someone, somewhere, has taken photos of less showy (i.e. more "normal-yet-traditional") ways of wearing it. Jock Scot has shown us some examples in the past, and has given us at least a cursory description above.

I think perhaps we need more of that, if we American chaps are to truly understand the fine line that apparently exists between traditional and costumish.

I think you have come up with the answer, Tobus, both in what you have said here, and -- of equal importance -- what you did not. You did not attempt to "defend" your way of wearing Highland dress in response to my critique. You simply accepted it. That takes a great deal of self-understanding and a pretty high level of desire to learn. Lots of nods from me.

For a long time Jock, in particular, and others of us, too, have been trying to explain the difference between how Highland dress is worn in the Highlands, and how it is worn elsewhere. I'm pretty sure we will continue to do that; the problem for us is that new folk joining the discussion means that we have often to start all over. On the surface that is frustrating at best and quite annoying when the one who has asked for comment then assumes a definsive posture citing singular examples or historical photos as proof. We get over that and move on with the help of serious knowledge-seekers such as you.

I won't speak for Jock and his family, but in mine we don't carry a camera about with us to take photos of our daily activities and those of our friends. That means that there are very few kilted ones we can post here for you. The newly-taken photos on XMarks are almost always of non-Scots in Highland dress and, as I said earlier, it would be petty of us (and quite tiresome for you) if we were to make too many comments of them. We have, mind you, and I for one recall the wrath of Thor coming down on several occasions (the wearing of flat caps with the kilt springs immediately to mind).

Within the rules of the forum (Rule 4, for example) it is difficult to find and post photos of others.

But we will certainly continue to talk and answer questions as best we can.