Even in the Hebrides

[creagdhubh]

Still it is nice to know that even today, some are interested in how it used to be done.

Right!

[Nathan]

This thread illustrates something important. There is a longing among some members for the kilt fashion to reflect the "way it used to be done", but be careful because some of the same folks will tell you that going back to "the way it used to be done a long, long time ago" isn't traditional but is costume. So a dirk and plaid is out cause they're too old fashioned while more contemporary choices like tartan flashes are out because they're too newfangled.

I don't raise this to single anyone's taste or perspective out, but to show the inherant difficulty in defining a term like "traditional" when it comes to Highland attire.

I started the thread because although I've been kilted most of my life, I've been told you have to be in Scotland to "get it". So I posted pics from Scotland that would generally meet with derision on this board. It turns out, it's not about being Scottish or Highland, it's about being a regular kilt wearer of a certain socio-economic class and age group.

I posted this thread to show that this perspective, while valuable and smart looking, is not normative.

When does something cross the line from traditional to historical and when does it gain widespread enough popularity to move from contemporary to traditional?

As the old lady from Skye referenced in a previous post proves, these are matters of clothing and taste and are by their very nature, subjective.

We should take care not to impose our own personal or generational aesthetic as the only way to wear the kilt "correctly". At the same time, we should look to previous generations for a reference point so that we are being faithful to the tradition even if we are pushing the style into the next millenium, Highland dress is a fashion that progresses slowly.

[Jock Scot]

"Highland dress is a fashion that progresses slowly". That it does, if you are talking THCD, and probably more slowly than many would like. Very nicely put Nathan.

[guardsman]

Once again we see critiscism of the ecru hose , lacks tradition . May I ask what makes tradition ? Ecru , I doubt would be worn by poor folk much before washing machines , I think blue or grey would be a better colour for everyday hose , as they show the dirt less . Personally I think tradition comes through circumstance and necessity . As for a the amount of different plaids in the photo amounting to hire rigs , I tend to look at it differently , if only 1 tartan on show I think its hire get up to look the same , but at a wedding you would expect multiple tartans from families and areas ! Personally speaking I think most of the gentlemen in the photos looked pretty damn smart.

[BCAC]

This thread illustrates something important. There is a longing among some members for the kilt fashion to reflect the "way it used to be done", but be careful because some of the same folks will tell you that going back to "the way it used to be done a long, long time ago" isn't traditional but is costume. So a dirk and plaid is out cause they're too old fashioned while more contemporary choices like tartan flashes are out because they're too newfangled.

I don't raise this to single anyone's taste or perspective out, but to show the inherant difficulty in defining a term like "traditional" when it comes to Highland attire.

I started the thread because although I've been kilted most of my life, I've been told you have to be in Scotland to "get it". So I posted pics from Scotland that would generally meet with derision on this board. It turns out, it's not about being Scottish or Highland, it's about being a regular kilt wearer of a certain socio-economic class and age group.

I posted this thread to show that this perspective, while valuable and smart looking, is not normative.

When does something cross the line from traditional to historical and when does it gain widespread enough popularity to move from contemporary to traditional?

As the old lady from Skye referenced in a previous post proves, these are matters of clothing and taste and are by their very nature, subjective.

We should take care not to impose our own personal or generational aesthetic as the only way to wear the kilt "correctly". At the same time, we should look to previous generations for a reference point so that we are being faithful to the tradition even if we are pushing the style into the next millenium, Highland dress is a fashion that progresses slowly.

So basically, Nathan, you're trying to prove that you don't "have to be Scottish to "get it"", even the Scots can get it wrong, and that you, although not Scottish, "get it"?

It's not a competition, you know. There are no prizes for those who "get it".

[Nathan]

So basically, Nathan, you're trying to prove that you don't "have to be Scottish to "get it"", even the Scots can get it wrong, and that you, although not Scottish, "get it"?

It's not a competition, you know. There are no prizes for those who "get it".

Actually, I think my point may be closer to the idea that there really isn't a hard and fast "it" to get. If an item is for sale at a Highland outfitter's, some people will buy it and wear it both inside and outside of Scotland. Other people will like it or not like it as their taste, experience, family tradition dictates.

The point of my thread is that nobody can really claim a monopoly on "authenticity" based solely on their geographic location and that at the end of the day no one person or small subculture can speak for an entire nation's views on kilt wearing. Ergo, it may be that "I'm from the Highlands of Scotland" or even "I'm from Scotland" isn't really a magic trump card when it comes to sartorial disagreements about kilt attire. Some may feel that card has never been played on this forum. I would respectfully disagree.

I say that with the utmost respect and the caveat that if you wish to know how a certain age, geographic, socio-economic class of people have traditionally approached civilian kilt wearing, this is generally a great place to find out, just remember, there are exceptions to every rule.

[Liam]

I continue to be amazed by the "ecru-o-phobia" that exists on this forum. I think ecru hose can look pretty sharp with an Aran sweater, and also with a white shirt in a more formal context. True, I agree that kilt rental shops generally "sell" the renter a pair of either ecru or black hose to simplify their own business, and wearing of these colours may "mark" you as a "rookie", or a member of a pipe and drum band, but so what. We all put out kilts on for the first time once in our lives! This evening I think I'll don my ecru hose just to be different! (I wear flat caps too).

[xman]

I think ecru hose can look pretty sharp with an Aran sweater, and also with a white shirt in a more formal context.

And while I think that an aran sweater can pull off what a white shirt can't, formality, and that diced, tartan and coloured hose are always going to look better with a kilt, that's my opinion. I'm glad you're here with yours. It might change. Mine keeps changing. I used to think Red and Orange were a bad idea together, I just hadn't yet learned how they go.

[TheOfficialBren]

Actually, I think my point may be closer to the idea that there really isn't a hard and fast "it" to get. If an item is for sale at a Highland outfitter's, some people will buy it and wear it both inside and outside of Scotland. Other people will like it or not like it as their taste, experience, family tradition dictates.

The point of my thread is that nobody can really claim a monopoly on "authenticity" based solely on their geographic location and that at the end of the day no one person or small subculture can speak for an entire nation's views on kilt wearing. Ergo, it may be that "I'm from the Highlands of Scotland" or even "I'm from Scotland" isn't really a magic trump card when it comes to sartorial disagreements about kilt attire. Some may feel that card has never been played on this forum. I would respectfully disagree.

I say that with the utmost respect and the caveat that if you wish to know how a certain age, geographic, socio-economic class of people have traditionally approached civilian kilt wearing, this is generally a great place to find out, just remember, there are exceptions to every rule.

Yes! This! Plus one and guid on ya!

It makes complete sense. It's like someone with a smidegeon of [insert culture here] ancestry or one living in [insert culture here] territory but having no actual knowledge of the history of the people or their customs aside from a few shakey "facts" based on tall-tales.

[Nathan]

As for a the amount of different plaids in the photo amounting to hire rigs , I tend to look at it differently , if only 1 tartan on show I think its hire get up to look the same , but at a wedding you would expect multiple tartans from families and areas !

We agree. I re-read my post and my syntax was ambiguous. This is what I was trying to say, not the opposite.