Less Can Be More

[pbutts]

He's (Torquil Macpherson) a kid running around, having a good time, so who really cares?

Having a good time is definitely a sign that you're dressed just right.

[GG]

As this thread is in the Traditional section, using either a proper kilt or a MUG as a replacement for jeans, cargo shorts, etc. should not even enter into this conversation, IMHO. There is another forum section for that.

David, I'm not quite sure, I understand you. This thread gives a lot of examples of traditional kilts worn as replacements for jeans etc.
Or am I totally wrong?

[Dale Seago]

David, I'm not quite sure, I understand you. This thread gives a lot of examples of traditional kilts worn as replacements for jeans etc.
Or am I totally wrong?

The thread does, certainly; but that doesn't seem to be where the OP was originally trying to go with it.

[Nile]

My caveat here is not to drag one's THCD down to the modern, relaxed standards of dress, but rather to have THCD bring one's overall standard up.

Nonetheless, my experience is that kilt wearing has had a positive impact on my wardrobe in general, so I now have nicer, more traditional clothes to wear; a tattersall shirt and/or a repp tie looks just as good with p@nts as it does with a kilt

It is possible to dress well -- and be traditional -- while still being somewhat reserved.

***... I couldn't agree more Colin! I've become more cognizant about how I dress since I started wearing a kilt and set my sights on THCD. Being a product of my generation (baby boomer or old hippie if you will) and not having to wear a suit and tie except to church and a few special occasions, my overall manner of dress and wardrobe has definitely changed and is still evolving. And... I would like to think, for the better.

Nile

[CMcG]

The thread does, certainly; but that doesn't seem to be where the OP was originally trying to go with it.

Speaking of what the OP was going for...

I started this thread to discuss a certain approach to traditional Highland civilian dress (THCD), namely being guided by a more reserved approach to colours, patterns, and design. This "less is more" look is predicated on three things: the correct level of attire for any given event, homology between kilted and non-kilted attire, and avoiding the extremes ends of the THCD range.

For better or worse, the kilt has not been a common form of everyday attire for quite some time. This means I'm thinking of events that are out of the ordinary, day to day routine, even if that just means a nice dinner with my girlfriend. I'm also talking about traditional attire, so the Tartan Army look is not really germane to the discussion:



A few people have mentioned jeans as an item of clothing that is often dressed up or down these days and could provide a parallel for kilt wearing. I have a few pairs and tend to wear older, rattier, baggier jeans for everyday, but have some newer, darker, smarter ones for events. Not to be too repetitive, but THCD tends to be reserved for events, so let's ignore the informal jeans and tee shirt look, eh?

Here are two pictures of me taken by my leading lady on occasions where we went out for dinner together. In the non-kilted picture, I'm wearing dark jeans, brogues, a small blue gingham check shirt, and subtlety pinstriped navy velvet sportscoat. In the kilted picture, I'm wearing a small Sheppard check shirt, simple green/grey tweed jacket, charcoal waistcoat, brogues, grey hose, blue garter ties, Maple Leaf tartan kilt, simple sgian, and hunting sporran. My plain black daywear sporran is AWOL and I think this look would be more "less is more" with a simpler sporran...



Here's two another two pictures, this time from weddings, so the jeans comparison doesn't work here. In the non-kilted picture, I'm wearing a three piece navy pinstriped suit, sky blue shirt, silver/grey tie, and brogues. This looks a bit plain and could really benefit from a pocket square or a bit of patterning on the shirt or tie, but it was a fairly formal wedding, so I went conservative.

The kilted pic has me wearing a lovat green tweed jacket with flat epaulettes, charcoal waistcoat, navy hose, blue garter ties, New World Irish tartan kilt, white pocket square, and a simple sgian. Here, the hunting sporran seems better suited because it adds some pizzazz for a fancier event, but I wish I had a matching charcoal tweed jacket and waistcoat. The tie and shirt both have subtle patterns but don't overdo it: white-on-white window pane shirt and red-on-red Chung Chi College school tie. Just ignore the hat. It was cold out and I took it off once we got inside! And yes the tartan is newfangled, but at least it is tartan



There are many different people who frequent this forum and a commensurate amount of different opinions. Some have stated their taste for the more extreme end of THCD, others for wearing the kilt as everyday clothing. Some people like to dress up a little extra nice at all times, others are challenged by their climate to wear anything extra. In arguing for "less is more" and showing some examples, I hope to give people options to consider in regards to keeping with tradition, while avoiding cliché and faux-pas.

[kiltedrennie]

As someone who tends toward the casual extreme I do appreciate the discussion and information everyone has posted. I'm learning quite a bit.

[Nile]

Colin,

Thank you for starting this great thread. I have gleaned a lot of good information and have seen a lot of great illustrations which have enhanced my understanding of, and appreciation for THCD.

But Colin... I just can't get used to seeing you in, um, er, ah... pants!

Nile

[CMcG]

Colin,

Thank you for starting this great thread. I have gleaned a lot of good information and have seen a lot of great illustrations which have enhanced my understanding of, and appreciation for THCD.

But Colin... I just can't get used to seeing you in, um, er, ah... pants!

Nile

You are very welcome for the thread. It's good to discuss and get different opinions, but also to help me clarify my own thinking. Apologies about the p@nts... I felt it was necessary to make the point

[Grizzly]

Colin I have never seen you in trousers!!!!!!!! My eyes my eyes !!!!!!

[creagdhubh]

You are very welcome for the thread. It's good to discuss and get different opinions, but also to help me clarify my own thinking. Apologies about the p@nts... I felt it was necessary to make the point

Hahahahaha! Well said, Colin. Cheers on the thread too, mate. You have consistently raised some very interesting and thought provoking questions/ideas here on XMTS, which has been such a fantastic facilitator for tactful, intriguing, and often educational discussions.