rethinking "traditional" dress and the Hire impact

[Jock Scot]

Yet, people like the Duke of Rothesay, clothed in bespoke things, are to be seen wearing the same styles, even to the present day.

Highland outfitters could produce anything they want, but they can only sell what people want to wear.

I've mentioned before that I reject the notion that the catalogues of Highland Outfitters, or for that matter Sears & Roebuck or any other firm, would waste space in their catalogues for things that people aren't purchasing. Printing and distributing catalogues is expensive, much more so in the 1920s than today, and space in a catalogue is pricey real estate.

My theories aside, I can produce hundreds of vintage photos showing that people are wearing the same things seen in the catalogues, and not wearing things not seen in the catalogues.

Except of course for members of the aristocracy with their bespoke clothing, and they too follow the same styles.

I don't think that I can honestly recall ever perusing a kilt attire catalogue. I was always guided by what my peers and my immediate family were wearing and of course I had the advantage of hand-me-downs. I well remember going to the kilt maker and after describing a style of jacket that I had in my minds eye and being extremely miffed when he suggested firmly, that if I wanted a jacket in that style, then I had better go elsewhere! So yes tailors had a real imput to kilt attire style.

I Have not always followed the traditional line though! in my 20's I was at ball and I spotted a kilt jacket that I thought was just me! A Sheriffmuir, as I later discovered, and had one made. There was no off the peg option in those days, I loved that jacket and almost went into decline when I grew out of it. I still see it occasionally being worn by a nephews son. My senior family were really not impressed with that jacket and never were!

Much later, when I recycled amongst the larger family a large wardrobe of inherited kilt attire and streamlined my kilt attire requirements, I bought a black leather sporran and black leather strap that I still use today. I spotted it in a shop window as I walked by and I have never regretted buying it and in a minor way even set a trend.

I really dont think catalogues had much influence in the Highlands, kilt attire was expected to last and a purchase of kilt kit was left to when we were in town and could choose our kit after personal inspection.