"Viking Style" Brouge lacing?

[Liam]

Correct me if I’m wrong but my understanding is that the majority of kilt-wearers rely on the kilt hire industry. When I was younger it was necessary to hire a dinner suit(or tuxedo) do attend many functions and the attire provided was accepted without question. Here, however, we have a community who have decided they are above this hire industry and, as a result, hold it in a degree of disdain. Ghillie brogues are no longer to be worn, especially if, horror of horrors, the laces are twined up the legs, white socks are tantamount to a pact with the devil and, heaven forbid ruche ties are a definite no no. Has anyone ever stepped back and wondered whether their dress choices have degenerated into a strictly regimented and confined range of options. Do they stay awake at night wondering if their socks might clash with their kilt or their sporran be unsuitable to wear alongside their belt? I sometimes wonder how young people in Scotland or anywhere else for that matter, would regard the strict guidelines that must be followed here but I think I know the answer to that. They would dress in any way they saw fit.

I haven't entered into the fray on this subject, but will now. Ivor, I believe you are wrong. Kilt wearers on this forum wear kilts far more that those who rely on the kilt hire industry for a wedding or a Burns' supper. We are not above the kilt hire industry, far from it, but they are not in the business of tailoring or providing quality or bespoke apparel. They are in the business of providing rental outfits and out of necessity have a limited selection of tartan, sizes etc. As for your comment about the young people, yes they will dress however they wish -
often for the shock value, (we all were young once) .... and the tartan army is a fine example, and I think they are great. Those in Canada will understand that I am a Saskatchewan Roughrider supporter and we can wear some pretty outlandish outfits in support of our team including water melons on our heads and yes in my case a kilt.
Slainte....

[Silmakhor]

There's nothing wrong with white/ecru kilt hose - the issue is that they became sort of the default, which of course people want to get away from. And the only problem with "viking lacing" is that it doesn't really work. And there's nothing wrong with kilt hire at all - it provides a valued service that, one would guess, helps keep the broader tradition alive.

If you want to check out "restrictive," look into the conventions around Norwegian bunad.