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  1. #1
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    Quote Originally Posted by MacLowlife View Post
    Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) wrote that, or something very close to it, in his Devil's Dictionary 100 years ago.

    Perhaps the closest we can come is "aloha" shirts on people who live in Hawaii.
    Odd that you mention that...

    When I was in the Solomon Islands (SCUBA diving) I noticed that a
    high proportion of the natives were wearing aloha shirts -- possibly
    because they come in XXXXXXL -- even on the aeroplane going there
    a fair percentage of men of Polynesian ancestry (based on appearance)
    were wearing Hawaiian shirts( what we call them here.)

    So, I'm not sure that it translates.

    -Don

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  3. #2
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    You've got me there, Aussie Don.

    McMurdo, I think people who depend on tourists almost always have a love-hate relationship with them. Love for the livelihood and something less than love for all of the headaches- not to mention the complete dependence that so many tourist economies create.

    But maybe our Scots friends can take a lesson from the Solomon Islanders and wear the kilt ANYWAY. It sounds as if many do, at least on special occasions.
    Some take the high road and some take the low road. Who's in the gutter? MacLowlife

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  5. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by MacLowlife View Post
    McMurdo, I think people who depend on tourists almost always have a love-hate relationship with them. Love for the livelihood and something less than love for all of the headaches- not to mention the complete dependence that so many tourist economies create.

    But maybe our Scots friends can take a lesson from the Solomon Islanders and wear the kilt ANYWAY. It sounds as if many do, at least on special occasions.
    MacLowlife and McMurdo have a great point. I agree totally.
    The fact that so many tourists buying and wearing kilts (or aloha shirts, or French barretts, or Kentucky coon skin caps, or Arab keffiyahs) makes it totally ubiquitous. The identity becomes a casual thing. However, that should not be a bad thing. It should be a badge of honor. For instance, Americans love Scots. Upto 10% of the population has Scottish ancestry (more people than in all of Scotland). Not that many people weart kilts, but many of them do. Appalachia (specifically West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky) is so deeply rooted in Scottish ancestry that college courses are taught about the subject. It's kinda sad that we may have inadvertently tainted our heritage by supporting it.
    "Never rise to speak till you have something to say; and when you have said it, cease."-John Knox Witherspoon

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  7. #4
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    I used to live in the heart of Hollywood. Believe me. I get the thing about tourists, honestly, probably just as much as anyone in Edinburgh or Glasgow or anywhere else.

    The fact is that if we are all respectful abroad then perhaps we can take the edge off for the locals.

    I remember that the main attractions were always filled with tourists. If I wanted to unwind with my friends then we would go to our own pub, for example, off the beaten path.

    No kilts (maybe one or two in a blue moon) but anyone wearing a "Hollywood" t-shirt was a dead giveaway.
    The Official [BREN]

  8. #5
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    I think Jock pretty much has it right, though I'd say it's not necessarily about looking like a tourist, it's slightly wider than that. I think it's about needing a reason.

    The 'uniform' of the average Scot is pretty much the same as the rest of the world. T-shirt, blue jeans, trainers (sneakers) and given our climate, some form of sweater or jacket. Now if you ask me, none of that is particularly elegant or even comfortable, but it is safe. If you dress like that, you will not stand out. You will look like everyone else on the street or on the television. You don't have to think much about it, it's all readily available, and it's cheap (or expensive, if that's your preference).

    Where I live, there are few tourists so a kilt wearer would probably not be taken for one, but an assumption would be made that there was a reason for them wearing a kilt. Common reasons might be as follows:-

    They are attending an event such as a wedding, Burns supper, ceilidh, Highland Gathering, formal dinner, etc.
    They are a member of a pipe band.
    They are celebrating a sporting event.
    They are making a cultural/political statement ("I'm a proud Scot").
    They are mildly eccentric.

    One might well get asked 'Why are you wearing a kilt?', but one is unlikely to get asked 'Why are you wearing jeans?'. One can see how, outside of the highlands at least, there is some justification in this. The kilt is not the traditional garb of the lowlander so if the kilt is worn it is generally for some sort of reason, and most likely one of those I listed above. Within the highlands, less so, though not much less so. I have seen the very occasional highlander in a kilt who looked genuinely like he was an everyday wearer, and I have known only one lowlander who was (and still is) an everyday wearer.

    In the more touristy areas such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Fort William, etc. I could see that not looking like a tourist would be a consideration. I would not wear my kilt as day wear in Edinburgh for example for that very reason.

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  10. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Calgacus View Post

    The 'uniform' of the average Scot is pretty much the same as the rest of the world. T-shirt, blue jeans, trainers (sneakers) and given our climate, some form of sweater or jacket.
    Yes here you see that too, but far more common is t-shirt, cargo shorts, and sandals/thongs/zorries/flip-flops (terminology differs according to where you live, here all such things are usually called 'sandals') and if it's a bit chilly a hoodie. I remember looking around the room at our pipe band practice and everyone was dressed like that, the only blue jeans being worn by our only Scot!

    Quote Originally Posted by Calgacus View Post

    an assumption would be made that there was a reason for them wearing a kilt. Common reasons might be as follows:-

    They are attending an event such as a wedding, Burns supper, ceilidh, Highland Gathering, formal dinner, etc.
    They are a member of a pipe band.
    They are celebrating a sporting event.
    They are making a cultural/political statement ("I'm a proud Scot").
    They are mildly eccentric.
    That should be a sticky! That's awesome.

    Using my Western Wear analogy, if somebody walked around here (SoCal) in full cowboy kit (hat, shirt, buckle, jeans, boots) we would assume
    -he's visiting from Texas
    -he lives on a ranch
    -he owns/rides horses
    Proud Mountaineer from the Highlands of West Virginia; son of the Revolution and Civil War; first Europeans on the Guyandotte

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  12. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Calgacus View Post


    They are attending an event such as a wedding, Burns supper, ceilidh, Highland Gathering, formal dinner, etc.
    They are a member of a pipe band.
    They are celebrating a sporting event.
    They are making a cultural/political statement ("I'm a proud Scot").
    They are mildly eccentric.




    I have seen the very occasional highlander in a kilt who looked genuinely like he was an everyday wearer

    I agree that this list should become a sticky, although I must say I lament that this is the all-encompassing list.

    Now, about that last part:

    I think that might be the real issue to tackle. When attending one of the events on the list, I think one can get away with being more elaborate with the kilt kit worn.

    But if one is to be an everyday kilt wearer, then it would seem from the last comment (and I agree) that the person who does so pulls off a bit of a different "this was easy for me" vibe to the way they wear the kilt when not falling into one of the rigid categories on the list. I wonder if it would be possible to somehow capture how this is done and promote that both for Scots (born and raised and living in Scotland) AND for tourists. Because it seems that what bothers Scots about tourists in kilts is that they are garish and don't do it right. This may be a pipe dream, but what would be wrong with simply changing the mentality from "Look at that idiot tourist making a mockery of the kilt, lets roll our eyes and talk behind his back and think smug things..." to "Look at that tourist who has no clue what he is doing. We should set him straight." I know that changing mentalities is not easy, but it can be done if people care to make the change.

    So is it possible to define exactly what makes one look like an eveyday kilt wearer? What differentiates this from the more typical outfit? Might be a worthwhile exercise, because a tourist (for instance) who can pull off that look might come across quite differently than one who behaves like the subject of the Aly MacRae song The Tartan Atrocity (If you haven't heard it and you are a member of this forum, it is worth a listen for the laugh).

    Slàinte
    Last edited by CeilidhDoc; 14th July 14 at 09:23 AM.

  13. #8
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    Interesting posts everyone, I still have not got my mind on an even keel over this new, for me, aspect.

    Anyway CD, some time ago in a long running thread, there was a picture posted by someone and I used it for purely educational purposes. I can't remember exactly how many "faults" that I could spot in a blink of an eye, five I think, but then I asked the forum, well the ones reading the thread, to see if they could see what I could see. Again my imperfect memory is letting me down, but I don't think many spotted even one observation . Therein lies the problem I fear.

    I quite accept that some "faults" are entirely a personal perception thing, but the exercise did illustrate pretty well that what we might see over here, is not what might be seen over there. It was a fun and useful exercise though! By the way, can anyone remember the thread that I am talking about?
    Last edited by Jock Scot; 14th July 14 at 10:08 AM.
    " Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the adherence of idle minds and minor tyrants". Field Marshal Lord Slim.

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  15. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by CeilidhDoc View Post

    . . . But if one is to be an everyday kilt wearer, then it would seem from the last comment (and I agree) that the person who does so pulls off a bit of a different "this was easy for me" vibe to the way they wear the kilt ...
    I was going to bring up a similar point in the other thread (I'm getting my threads confused!)

    In OC Richard's Western wear example, which is a pretty good analogy, there's an obvious difference between someone who wears that attire all the time and someone who dudes up with crisp, new jeans and a fancy, big hat and a chunky, bolo tie, trying to look the part while seeing the sights.

    Either person might seem out of place, but the daily wearer, will at least have an air of authenticity.
    - Steve Mitchell

  16. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by CeilidhDoc View Post
    I agree that this list should become a sticky, although I must say I lament that this is the all-encompassing list.

    Now, about that last part:

    I think that might be the real issue to tackle. When attending one of the events on the list, I think one can get away with being more elaborate with the kilt kit worn.

    But if one is to be an everyday kilt wearer, then it would seem from the last comment (and I agree) that the person who does so pulls off a bit of a different "this was easy for me" vibe to the way they wear the kilt when not falling into one of the rigid categories on the list. I wonder if it would be possible to somehow capture how this is done and promote that both for Scots (born and raised and living in Scotland) AND for tourists. Because it seems that what bothers Scots about tourists in kilts is that they are garish and don't do it right. This may be a pipe dream, but what would be wrong with simply changing the mentality from "Look at that idiot tourist making a mockery of the kilt, lets roll our eyes and talk behind his back and think smug things..." to "Look at that tourist who has no clue what he is doing. We should set him straight." I know that changing mentalities is not easy, but it can be done if people care to make the change.

    So is it possible to define exactly what makes one look like an eveyday kilt wearer? What differentiates this from the more typical outfit? Might be a worthwhile exercise, because a tourist (for instance) who can pull off that look might come across quite differently than one who behaves like the subject of the Aly MacRae song The Tartan Atrocity (If you haven't heard it and you are a member of this forum, it is worth a listen for the laugh).

    Slàinte
    Ok, I'll have a go.

    Please bear in mind that these are just my thoughts, and they (like the Pirate Code) are not rules, more simply guidelines. They can be bent or broken, but if what you are trying to achieve is to blend in, then it might be best to aim for as many as possible. I don't want to come across in any way as a 'kilt kop', I'm simply stating what I believe is the best way to wear a kilt in Scotland and not stand out. Note that there are different 'rules' for 'youngsters' and 'oldies'. The cut-off is vague, but I'm going to say forty-something. I'm forty-something and find it a 'difficult age'. Too old for the Duncan MacKay look, yet too young for the full tweed look (arguably!). I'm also restricting this to day wear only.

    Headgear- None! Simple as that. Yes, yes, I know Jock Scot regularly wears a Balmoral but as a tourist trying to blend in, a Balmoral or a Glengarry is not going to help you. As an 'oldie', you might get away with it, as a 'youngster', definitely not.

    Upper body- There are a couple of options here, depending on weather, town/country, and age. The first is shirt, tie & tweed jacket. THCD if you like. The shirt should be Tattersall or plain, the tie striped, school, regimental or plain, and a tweed Argyll. Personally I think you'll only blend in with this look if you are an 'oldie'. The second option is the sweater. It can be worn over a shirt or a T-shirt. If worn over a shirt, you will have more leeway for taking it off and still blending in. Jackets of the Barbour type work well pretty much any time and anywhere for all ages.

    Belt- Not too important, but probably best to keep it plain and broad.

    Sporran- One of the many standard pattern day or 'hunting' varieties, in brown or black

    Kilt- Traditional, clan or district tartan. Wear the lower edge somewhere between the top and middle of the kneecap. Kilt pins are just fine, and optional.

    Hose- Plain, and coloured. There are some tartans which actually suit cream hose really well, but over the past few decades the rental industry has rather claimed cream hose as their own, so in order not to look like you rented your kilt, they are best avoided. Avoid white hose entirely, and also try to avoid socks which are not proper kilt hose. Some work just fine, but these are simple guidelines here, so I'm keeping it simple.

    Flashes/garters- Stick to flashes in simple red, green or blue as appropriate. I'm going to suggest avoiding garter ties, as although they have a long pedigree, they were pretty much extinct until their relatively recent reintroduction, and so might draw some attention.

    Sgian- Optional.

    Shoes- Black brogues (wingtips) are by far the safest option. Maybe Caterpillar or Timberland style workboots, and just possibly subdued trainers (sneakers). No ghillie brogues, no sandals, no knee-length boots etc.

    The secret here is keeping it plain and simple, but with attention to detail. Kilt at the right height, hose at the right height, flashes not too long, etc. All these things will add up to an outfit that looks just right. One or two deviations will probably look ok, but stray too far and the look will be lost.

    JohntheBiker pretty much nailed it in post #32 of this thread-

    http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...19/index4.html

    Click image for larger version. 

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    To my eye his kilt is a tiny fraction low, but not enough to draw attention. If I'd walked past him in the street I'd have assumed him to be a local.

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