Contemporary Kilts -- a Visual guide....

[ThistleDown]

I guess this isn't a case of "I know it when I see it", Jock and Bob. Ern, you look pretty casually traditional/traditionally casual in my eyes. Good look, too.

[ratspike]

Agreed. I was thinking at it from another direction, though I don't honestly feel the example photo would fit. No dis intended Ern, because like I said, I wish I looked as good.

I think when discussing tartan worn outside the box, there's a lot in the details. @t_challa has given us some fine examples, and I think of the way he puts himself together as being thoroughly modern. Lots of examples in photos from the Dressed to Kilt fashion shows as well of blurring the lines and landing thoroughly on the modern side. I think of this as completely different from Utilikilts and whatnot, but it all fits together under the general heading of "modern or whatever you want to call it". Same genus, different species. Or is it the other way 'round?

[CMcG]

Ern is looking good in his picture, but I just don't see how that is a "modern" look. If we're still talking about a visual guide, then the details of construction and/or the back story do not—and cannot—define the style. When it comes to contemporary kilt attire, there's bound to be some overlap and grey area between traditional and modern, especially if someone is wearing a tartan kilt. However, a guy wearing a tartan kilt, hose, flashes, leather loafers, a classic sporran, a button-up short sleeve shirt, and a bonnet seems pretty squarely traditional for warm weather casual attire to me

I'll contribute a few of my own photos here and see what everyone has to say. The Utilikilt pic is obviously modern. The other ones are hopefully modern enough for our purposes, while showing varying degrees of departure from Highland tradition.

[Jock Scot]

Here we go Colin.

Picture 1: Modern(contemp.).
Picture 2: Hummmmmmm, Modern(contemp.).
Picture 3: Modern(contemp.).
Picture 4: Modern(contemp.).
Picture 5: Modern(contemp.).
Picture 6: Modern(contemp.).

[MNlad]

Or take Ern's basic look and substitute a solid colored kilt for a different blend of contemporary and traditional. This happens to be an X-kilt, but the hose and cap give it a more traditional slant. Since the kilt has two slash pockets and a back pocket, I wear it with and without a sporran as the circumstances and my inclinations dictate. I've seen pictures of Steve sporting a similar look.



It's not so much a case of what is and isn't contemporary, as it is a case of what works and what doesn't.

[Mael Coluim]

Last night, a lady asked me a question I get often; “How kilts do you have?” I replied more than trousers. I stopped counting. Also it depends on how someone defines kilt. I have a very good British friend a kilt wearer and some of you longer term members would remember says “Ern, you have one kilt!” It is a Lochcarron 8 yarder made in Scotland. I respect that. But, I do consider my USA Kilts; 5 yarders, semi-trads, casuals, Newsome Single box pleats, Sportkilts, 5.11 Tactical Duty, a few other one offs – KILTS!

If I had only the one Scottish kilt, honestly I would wear it like a Scotsman. Reserved for a special occasion; wedding, funeral a special event/day. I would probably get to wear in maybe 4 times a year. (Actually, I wear mine less.) Why? Because I enjoy wearing kilts and I have many to fit other occasions (or no occasions ) and the Eastern Seaboard USA weather.

My traditional look exhibited was pulled off because I was wearing very untraditional kilt attire. The kilt was not wool, but PV, not 8 yards, hardy any, and worn on the hips not natural waist. The socks not wool but cotton. There are a number of North American traditionalists who would not have been kilted the day I was because of the hot muggy weather. And that’s okay.

What if my shirt was a polo/golf shirt? Still traditional? How about the ball cap shown in my Avatar?
Like a Scot I wear what is in my closet. You may have long sleeve Tattersall shirts but I have polo’s. It’s basically you and I dress to our weather with what we have. The Scot doesn’t have the extreme of climate I have and I like to wear the kilt whatever the weather maybe or whim I am in.

Yes, I exhibited a traditional look. I would say most Traditionalists would say it is not THCD. I would agree. It’s a modern/contemporary way of kilt wearing that is achievable due to kilt material and method made. Just change the shirt or headwear and it’s a whole different thing as shown by CMcG in his above posts.

[CMcG]

...

What if my shirt was a polo/golf shirt? Still traditional? How about the ball cap shown in my Avatar?

...

I think a polo/golf shirt would push the look away from traditional and if you also wore the ball cap it would seal the deal. MNlad's substitution of an X-kilt into a similar outfit is also a good option for making the style more modern.

...

Yes, I exhibited a traditional look. I would say most Traditionalists would say it is not THCD. I would agree. It’s a modern/contemporary way of kilt wearing that is achievable due to kilt material and method made.

I assume there's a typo there? Both Jock Scot and ThistleDown suggested your outfit looked traditional i.e., THCD. One can't see the modern material/manufacturing, so to paraphrase the "Duck Test," if it looks like traditional attire and is worn like traditional attire, then it is probably traditional attire... Common sense adaptations to the weather are an integral part of THCD

Perhaps we are once again talking at cross purposes... If we stick with dictionary definitions, contemporary just means "at the present time." Modern can have a similar meaning to contemporary, but also suggests rejecting traditional ways of doing things in favour of new methods. Traditional means conventions that have been passed down from generation to generation, thus a living tradition like THCD is also contemporary.

Now I'm confused Is this thread about contemporary traditional or contemporary modern?

[Hawk]

Small contribution.....today, at work, in a warehouse.....94 degrees out.....crumpled but casual.......

Hawk

[ThistleDown]

...to paraphrase the "Duck Test," if it looks like traditional attire and is worn like traditional attire, then it is probably traditional attire... Common sense adaptations to the weather are an integral part of THCD

Perhaps we are once again talking at cross purposes... If we stick with dictionary definitions, contemporary just means "at the present time." Modern can have a similar meaning to contemporary, but also suggests rejecting traditional ways of doing things in favour of new methods. Traditional means conventions that have been passed down from generation to generation, thus a living tradition like THCD is also contemporary.

Now I'm confused Is this thread about contemporary traditional or contemporary modern?

I hope we are discussing Modern. This thread isn't about THCD as worn in the the present (contemporary); it's about a new and different 'look' to kilt-wearing. I, too, think the fabric has no bearing: neither Ern's seersucker nor MNlad's shooting shirt are Modern regardless of the material; the polo shirt and the ball cap are. MNlad's exceptional Xkilt is Modern to me. MNlad's 'look' is Modern, Ern's is THCD. All six of Colin's pics are Modern, but number 2 is borderline and will depend on what he puts on his feet

[Jock Scot]

I hope we are discussing Modern. This thread isn't about THCD as worn in the the present (contemporary); it's about a new and different 'look' to kilt-wearing. I, too, think the fabric has no bearing: neither Ern's seersucker nor MNlad's shooting shirt are Modern regardless of the material; the polo shirt and the ball cap are. MNlad's exceptional Xkilt is Modern to me. MNlad's 'look' is Modern, Ern's is THCD. All six of Colin's pics are Modern, but number 2 is borderline and will depend on what he puts on his feet

--------------- AND the bottle in hand(instead of a glass) tipped the balance towards modern in my view.