Can we define THCD?

[creagdhubh]

This guy's sporran is too low and his bow tie is pretty crooked. He could also stand to shorten those sleeves a touch and show a little cuff for Pete's sake... what a slob.

Nathan, in that photo you're almost a dead ringer for this chap (different tartan and jacket/doublet, I know)! Well, perhaps I should say that the chap on the right is actually more of a dead ringer for Cary Grant! Hahaha!

All joking aside, even though it's obviously an advertisement from the 1950s (from an R.W. Forsyth catalogue to be exact, as it's in my possession), I do believe the illustration adequately demonstrates both white and black tie Highland Dress with the Regulation Doublet. Though, this can be confusing in itself when you look at the ad, since both men are obviously at the same event, yet one is wearing black tie and the other white. Understandably, the purpose of this advertisement is to advertise and market a particular Highland Dress company, so artistic licence in regards to the context of the subject matter is definitely utilised. It is in my honest opinion that ads such as these from, yes, a bygone era, speaks to the heart of what traditional Highland Dress can, and arguably should look like - with room for personal flair/preferences, of course. "Variation upon a theme," seems to be an appropriate term amongst us traditionalists.

[Jock Scot]

Thanks, Jock. I tried to PM you with my email address in order to take you up on your offer of photos but it says you've exceeded your limit for personal messages.

Ah right, I am on the case. Problem will be solved shortly!-----------------------Have a go now.

[Glen]

The other choice is merely "unconventional".

I always liked the term 'respected minority' to describe those who vary from convention as this is all a bit of wrangling cats...

[MacLowlife]

I always liked the term 'respected minority' to describe those who vary from convention as this is all a bit of wrangling cats...

The interweb says that it was Woody Allen who said "To you I'm an atheist. To God I'm the loyal opposition."

[CMcG]

I think this is the way to go. I nominate Colin and Nathan to put it together, with supervision by Jock... . Hopefully Steve will give us a sticky.

I am sure that Colin and Nathan are more than capable of putting something together without my help. I am, as always, just a PM away should they need to consult.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, gentlemen. I'm honoured

Nathan and I are discussing, but I'd like a quick consult with the rest of you before we go too far. If I understand it correctly, we are working towards gathering photos of Xmarkers wearing THCD in six levels of formality:

Informal (miscellany for activities and practical variations)
Smart Casual (relaxed-yet-sharp)
Daywear (tweed & tie)
Formal Daywear (aka morning dress)
Formal Eveningwear (aka black tie)
Full Formal Eveningwear (aka white tie)

I suppose the idea is to put this on the straight and narrow of tradition, but also to show a range of options and personal flair?

I also think it might be worthwhile to insert a references to MacRobert's Reply's piece on Highland wedding outfits and I may also wish to draw on (i.e., steal) parts of MacLowlife's helpful list of options from earlier in this thread.

[JSFMACLJR]

Informal (miscellany for activities and practical variations)
Smart Casual (relaxed-yet-sharp)
Daywear (tweed & tie)
Formal Daywear (aka morning dress)
Formal Eveningwear (aka black tie)
Full Formal Eveningwear (aka white tie)


A very interesting thread indeed!

Here are some pics of me taken over the years:
Informal--

Smart Casual--

Daywear--

Formal Daywear-- I've worn tweed kilt jackets to weddings ( as many in the Highlands do ). I do not own a black Argyll jacket. At Most of the formal daystime wedding I have attended, I have worn a morning coat.

Formal Eveningwear (black tie)--

[JSFMACLJR]

Informal (miscellany for activities and practical variations)
Smart Casual (relaxed-yet-sharp)
Daywear (tweed & tie)
Formal Daywear (aka morning dress)
Formal Eveningwear (aka black tie)
Full Formal Eveningwear (aka white tie)

Daywear cont.--

Formal Eveningwear (Black tie) cont.--

Full Formalwear (white tie)--

[JSFMACLJR]

And two more Formal Eveningwear (white tie)--

[CMcG]

Thanks, JSFMACLJR, that's very helpful. I invite others to follow suit and post some pics in the six categories I listed. It would make the task Nathan and I have taken on a lot easier

[MacLowlife]

Sorry about this not being full length, but it shows some deviation in the jacket for smart daywear


And this one is getting some age on it, but again, it shows a little deviation.

Either is subject to veto by the rabble or the sticky assembly team