Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[Nathan]

Key word "stateside". Give us a little break over here. We're an entire sea and continent away.

And I thought a Stetson WAS a fedora.

You're not a sea or a continent away from Canada.

And I stand by my comments about the American xmarks members who wear it properly.

[Calgacus]

Here's two examples of properly worn kilts stateside.

I'm not sure either gentleman would manage to walk down Inverurie High Street unnoticed. The first gentleman's belt is askew, and the second gentleman is not showing any knee whatsoever!

As an aside, the second gentleman is obviously quite poor, his barrels appear to be full of holes and in need of replacement. I'm fairly sure they'd leak quite badly and if he had the money he'd surely have replaced them before they fell into that level of disrepair.

(Tongue firmly in cheek )

[Couper]

"A style born and reborn from legend. Browse Stetson's timeless collection of vintage fedora hats." - attributed to Stetson.com.

Might be a matter of semantics...because I deem the above examples by Half Scot Half Pole to be properly worn. They may not be "traditionally" worn, but there is absolutely nothing improper about them. I am often found comfortably attired in one of Rocky's creations (certainly not a "utility" kilt) accessorized as the lad in the "good old boy" photo.

[Half Scot Half Pole]

You're not a sea or a continent away from Canada.

And I stand by my comments about the American xmarks members who wear it properly.

We're a world away in Scotland, Nathan, and we've actually developed our own diasporic culture. What do you think of the million or so Scots who refuse to wear a kilt, either properly or improperly? Have they failed altogether?

[McMurdo]

We're a world away in Scotland, Nathan, and we've actually developed our own diasporic culture. What do you think of the million or so Scots who refuse to wear a kilt, either properly or improperly? Have they failed altogether?

HSHP The original thread was about wearing the kilt properly in Scotland. No matter what your protestations, none of the photos you have posted are proper examples of Highland wear. Go ahead and wear the outfit you want in your country, but don't insist it's proper Highland attire. If you want to see examples of that, please go look at the examples Nathan suggested, also take a look at the 1 kilt 10 looks thread started by Panache who lives in California.

[Nathan]

We're a world away in Scotland, Nathan, and we've actually developed our own diasporic culture. What do you think of the million or so Scots who refuse to wear a kilt, either properly or improperly? Have they failed altogether?

Look, do what you want but don't pretend it's "proper" because if it is, that word is meaningless. If that's proper, what would be improper? To me, an improperly worn kilt is one that is being worn contrary to tradition.

I grew up in a diaspora Gaelic culture in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada (North East of Maine). We didn't assimilate or change as much as our cousins who went to the USA. Perhaps its because we remained part of the British commonwealth or perhaps it is our relative isolation on an island.

The Scots descendants who went to the Southern US and eventually became the Confederates etc... certainly did create their own distinct culture but you'd be hard pressed to find a lot of examples of the kilt being an important part of that culture. Jeans, yes. Kilts, no. They adapted everything to their new environment and neighbours so while you can see the Scottish roots in much of what that culture created (Old Tyme fiddle and blue grass music, square dancing, the Saltire on the Confederate flag) the African influence injected blues modes into the music, The Mexican influence added some Spanish modes as well - toss a little jazz in and you've got Country music.

In fact, if we're going to be honest, that Southern culture misappropriated and brought shame upon some important Scottish symbols like the fiery cross and the word "clan". Regardless how you spell it, calling myself a clansman in some company is very uncomfortable.

Everyone has the right to move past the darker bits of their history and bygones must be bygones but anachronistically hybridizing the Scottish and Southern US cultures in a way they did not evolve, while not against any laws, isn't what I would call a "proper" representation of either culture. It is, in effect, a cultural mash up. Mash away if you like, but don't fart and tell me it's roses.

If you feel fusing these two legitimate parts of your heritage reflects how you feel about yourself in the world, go for it but it's not "wearing the kilt properly" Stateside or anywhere else.

[creagdhubh]

Look, do what you want but don't pretend it's "proper" because if it is, that word is meaningless. If that's proper, what would be improper? To me an improperly worn kilt, is one that is being worn contrary to tradition.

I grew up in a diaspora Gaelic culture in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada (North East of Maine). We didn't assimilate or change as much as our cousins who went to the USA. Perhaps its because we remained part of the British commonwealth or perhaps it is our relative isolation on an island.

The Scots descendants who went to the Southern US and eventually became the Confederates etc... certainly did create their own distinct culture but you'd be hard pressed to find a lot of examples of the kilt being an important part of that culture. Jeans, yes. Kilts, no. They adapted everything to their new environment and neighbours so while you can see the Scottish roots in much of what that culture created (Old Tyme fiddle and blue grass music, square dancing, the Saltire on the Confederate flag) the African influence injected blues modes into the music, The Mexican influence added some Spanish modes as well - toss a little jazz in and you've got Country music.

In fact, if we're going to be honest, that Southern culture misappropriated and brought shame upon some important Scottish symbols like the fiery cross and the word "clan". Regardless how you spell it, calling myself a clansman in some company is very uncomfortable.

Everyone has the right to move past the darker bits of their history and bygones must be bygones but anachronistically hybridizing the Scottish and Southern US cultures in a way they did not evolve, while not against any laws isn't what I would call a "proper" representation of either culture. It is, in effect, a cultural mash up. Mash away if you like, but don't fart and tell me it's roses.

If you feel fusing these two legitimate parts of your heritage reflects how you feel about yourself in the world, go for it but it's not "wearing the kilt properly".

Good God that was well said, Nathan!

[KD Burke]

Key word "stateside". Give us a little break over here. We're an entire sea and continent away.

And I thought a Stetson WAS a fedora.

Reminiscent of my previous post, a number of adjectives do come to mind. Your pardon if I choose not to share them.

[greybadger]

Indeed they are! Ben Alder is one of my favourite hills. It is relatively inaccessible, which makes climbing it all the more pleasurable.

The long way in also made skiing down the eastern gullies to Loch an Bhealaich Bheithe off Bel Adler even more worthwhile. Hell a slog in with the planks though!

[Steve Ashton]

If I may gently return this thread to its original topic,

Jock Scot asked the question - "why don't the Scots wear the kilt daily?" Or, maybe; "why do the Scots wear the kilt only on special occasions?"

He received a few answers from his friends among which were - "I am not going to look like a tourist in my own country"



For the past 5 pages this thread has wandered all over the place. I may please re-direct this thread back onto the original topic.