Personal flair

[Nathan]

Personal flair is a very personal addition to ones attire and it is sometimes very difficult to strike the optimum balance, therefore we really do need to be very honest with ourselves when looking in the mirror, before we head out. When we add, the complication of personal interpretation of what we see in that mirror, particularly if one is a bit of a showman, then personal flair can be easily overdone. I think if we then add in the further complication of being in the company of those that make their attire decisions from photographs and the internet and their peers who also have little real experience of how kilt attire is worn in the real world then sadly, these kilt wearers who also don't have have a lifetimes knowledge of kilt attire, then the chances of sometimes looking like a film extra from a Rob Roy film is almost inevitable. Alright I exaggerate, but I think, I hope, you can see my point.

I am sorry if this is being hard, but that is how I and others, not everyone of course, over here see it and make no mistake we all have dropped the odd howler with our attire from time to time! Personal flair is like walking on ice, take little steps and testing ones footing is best course of action and even then the ice gives way suddenly when we have taken a step too far.

Jock,

As always, I appreciate your input and your skill at scathing understatement.

As I’ve demonstrated with old photos in the past, I certainly have a lifetime of experience of kilt wearing in the real world, I just come from a different corner of the real world than the one to which you were doubtless referring. I also conceded that I can be fairly accused of over dressing a little from time to time but I do so with the comfort of knowing I really like the way I’m turned out. Am I a bit of a showman? Quite literally, yes. I’m a busy Celtic musician. I like my attire to stand out a bit rather than blending into the hedges. That said, I also think there is ample precedent within the tradition for every attire choice I make. Chacun à son gôut, mon ami!