Jermaine Jackson Kilted Concert in Glasgow

[robthehiker]

I think he looks sharp but I'd lose the fly plaid.

[CMcG]

I think he looks sharp but I'd lose the fly plaid.

If you look at the Facebook link I posted above, he actually did lose the fly plaid later in the concert!

[Tony]

Performers play the crowd. They have done since people first walked the boards.

He looks fine and did a much better job than some of his peers (diddy and snoop for two).

Good on him.

[sailortats]

I think he looks very smart. The kilt may be a little too long or maybe it's the hose that are a little too high but not a bad look at all. And I see nothing wrong with a performer dressing to his preceived audience. In most cases I think the audience appreciates the effort.

[creagdhubh]

In most cases I think the audience appreciates the effort.

I agree. It's all in good fun too. Jermaine isn't wearing his kit in a fashion that would bring any sort of negativity or an affront on Highland dress itself. Yes, his "rental" attire may not be the most traditional approach (still far better than a PC, a Royal Stewart kilt, and white hose, in my opinion) but Mr. Jackson isn't Scottish, of Scottish descent, of Highland heritage, or more than likely, not very well educated in regards to matters concerning Highland dress, its history and evolution. Now, this is pure speculation on my part, so based upon that premise, how would he really be aware of the multi-faceted and sometimes complex details in regards to Highland attire that we, the rabble, discuss on a daily basis? Just my two-cents for what it's worth.

I also think that Mr. Jackson looks much better than the other two goofballs shown.

Cheers,

[Tobus]

Mr. Jackson isn't Scottish, of Scottish descent, of Highland heritage, or more than likely, not very well educated in regards to matters concerning Highland dress, its history and evolution. Now, this is pure speculation on my part, so based upon that premise, how would he really be aware of the multi-faceted and sometimes complex details in regards to Highland attire that we, the rabble, discuss on a daily basis?

Well, that's just the point. Considering that he's not Scottish, of Scottish descent, or of Highland heritage, and probably knows absolutely nothing of Scottish culture or customs, the more important question to ask is why would he put on the kilt in the first place? I doubt he just arbitrarily decided to wear it for comfort. No, this was just a one-time publicity stunt, which (in my opinion, of course) is a pretty poor reason to co-opt someone else's cultural dress. This isn't to say that the only legitimate reason for wearing a kilt is a cultural connection, but I'd like to think that there are better reasons than publicity stunts.

At least he did get it mostly right, though, so I will give him props for that. He definitely wears it better than the others mentioned. I just wish that Slanj would put a bit more thought into what they recommend to their customers for situations like this. Ghillie brogues, ruche tie, and fly plaid really put it into 'costume' territory.

[creagdhubh]

At least he did get it mostly right, though, so I will give him props for that. He definitely wears it better than the others mentioned. I just wish that Slanj would put a bit more thought into what they recommend to their customers for situations like this. Ghillie brogues, ruche tie, and fly plaid really put it into 'costume' territory.

Agreed!

[CMcG]

... I just wish that Slanj would put a bit more thought into what they recommend to their customers for situations like this. Ghillie brogues, ruche tie, and fly plaid really put it into 'costume' territory.

Oh, I'm pretty sure retailers put a lot of thought into what they recommend to their customers... I bet it would be difficult -- if not impossible -- to find a kilt store that will only sell to people who can prove a minimum level of Scottishness. Or one who encourages their customers not to buy expensive specialty kilt items (like fly plaids or sgian dubhs). It's also unlikely that many shops advise their customers to use accessories that they already own (like regular brogues), rather than buy the kilt version (like ghillie brogues). Doing those sorts of things is bad for business.

The extravagances of Jermaine's outfit are a prime example of the result of an approach to retail sales that can be summarized with the following meme:



On the other hand, he is performing on stage and can thus be considered to be wearing a type of uniform, which calls for an exaggerated approach, so maybe Slanj's advice wasn't so bad after all. As far as that sort of thing goes, I think he looks pretty good and certainly better than P-diddy when he kilted up for a concert in Scotland.

[Tony]

I just wish that Slanj would put a bit more thought into what they recommend to their customers for situations like this. Ghillie brogues, ruche tie, and fly plaid really put it into "what 95% of Scots who decide to get married in kilts wear for their wedding" territory.

Fixed your post for a grounding in reality.
As for the "not Scottish" part....90% of this website are on shaky ground.... I think that's a stone best left unturned (for once)

[room2ndfloor]

[QUOTE=creagdhubh;1154173] .......... but Mr. Jackson isn't Scottish, of Scottish descent, of Highland heritage,....

I wouldn't be betting any folding money on that assertion. The matriarch of the Jackson brood was born in Barbour County, Alabama; home of former Governor George Wallace's family. Historically, many black Americans were natural relatives of the white families whose names they shared. There are thousands of black Americans bearing Scottish names. Surely you remember Louis Armstrong?