Can we define THCD?

[davidlpope]

Trads,

Given the recent hubbub in the general forum, I think it's worthwhile to try to define what Traditional Highland Civilian Dress is here, in our own subforum. Maybe if all of us can hash that out here, we can keep the rest of XMarks from bogging down on this issue. I've found XMarks to be very welcoming and helpful. I'd hate if our exuberance for THCD is a stumbling block for other kiltwearers, particularly newcomers, who have a different style.

I've got some ideas, but I'm going to hold back a while and see if others have thoughts first.

If this thread goes nowhere, then maybe this topic has burned itself out. If there's interest in further discussion of this issue, then maybe we can corral it here, where it won't make everyone else want to pull their hair out...

[California Highlander]

I've got some ideas, but I'm going to hold back a while and see if others have thoughts first.

If this thread goes nowhere, then maybe this topic has burned itself out. If there's interest in further discussion of this issue, then maybe we can corral it here, where it won't make everyone else want to pull their hair out...

Here are some starting points:
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...e=off&start=10

[Ron Abbott]

Would this be THCD?

[IMG]D:\Backup Data\Au and Ron\My Picture\2012-12-29 M&D[/IMG]

[OC Richard]

I don't think it's possible to define.

Or the definitions become circular, like "Art is what Artists make" (and what is an Artist? A person who makes Art?)

Using that approach the definition of Traditional Highland Dress would be "that dress which people in The Highlands regard as Traditional."

In other words it would be the sum of the attitudes or tastes of a specific population, and not knowable or definable to a person outwith that population.

Outsiders can only look at the manifestations. These manifestations can be both the physical reality of what Highlanders themselves wear, and verbal manifestations such as written or spoken commentary. Outsiders can create guidelines and rules generated from study of these manifestations but can never have the insider's views/opinions/attitudes/tastes.

This is called the emic/etic dichotomy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emic_and_etic

[Carlo]

In short I would say it's:
Clothes that suit the occasion you attend, wearing a tartan(with exceptions) kilt at knee hight.

[CMcG]

This could be interesting

Ideally a definition of THCD would be theoretically specific enough to clarify it, but general enough to recognize the inherent variation of practice. Perhaps we might need both a short, dictionary-style version and a longer encyclopedia-type entry

[Father Bill]

Would this be THCD?

[IMG]D:\Backup Data\Au and Ron\My Picture\2012-12-29 M&D[/IMG]

Hi Ron.

We can't read pictures from your hard drives; please refer to the "How to add pictures" in the FAQ found here: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...s_faq_pictures

Cheers!

Bill+

[Father Bill]

. . . other than preventing arguments (which will never happen ) why would we want to define THCD? Although it's an interesting and generous idea, I suspect it would actually create more arguments.

Bill+

[davidlpope]

. . . other than preventing arguments (which will never happen ) why would we want to define THCD? Although it's an interesting and generous idea, I suspect it would actually create more arguments.

Bill+

As to why, I think that it might help to answer concerns that Steve and others have that we've never defined what THCD is. That point seems to come up again and again when the concept is discussed. Based on other recent threads, it appears that some folks here want to have this discussion in great detail, while others are very put off by it.

My opinion is that it's better for that discussion, if people desire to have it, to not bog down the rest of the forum. Those folks who do not post in this subforum can insulate themselves from the discussion and not be troubled by this exchange of ideas. I'm also confident that those members who choose to post in this Traditional subforum are fully capable of having a vigorous and thoughtful discussion without anyone getting bent out of shape- we've been doing it for years.

[Steve Ashton]

Thank you, thank you.

Yes please. Come up with some sort of definition.

If you cannot figure out how to say what it is, a good trick is to try saying what it is not. This would define the outside borders and may help you to narrow down a definition.