"Viking Style" Brouge lacing?

[Jock Scot]

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.

Let me say right away that there is nothing wrong with kilt hire. Those that wear it are usually not regular kilt wearers and use the services of the kilt hire industry on an occasional as needed basis. From that perspective, that is a very sensible financial option.

However the garments offered by the hire industry cannot ever be described accurately as traditional kilt attire. Where the discussions go deeper on this website is persuading, convincing even, those who have no kilt attire heritage to assist them to alter their preconceived ideas and I have to say , ignorance too, mainly gained from internet pictures that are posted by the hire industry and I am afraid the “ look at me” pictures of the enthusiastic but “uneducated”kilt wearer who genuinely thinks what he is wearing traditional kilt attire.

Any kilt attire is expensive so guidance from those that know is really helpful to those who want to know and can afford to purchase their own kilt outfit. Those of us who have been on this website for a while, have seen many “look at me” pictures of a person who has spent their hard earned loot on the incorrect garments, thinking its traditional and to those who know and are kind enough and let it be said, brave enough, to disappoint an enthusiastic new kilt wearer that his new attire is not traditional.

Some receiving that news are grateful and some are mightily disappointed and are more than a little miffed. I don’t blame them! This website does sterling work in steering the kilt newcomer and too often the not so new, newcomer, in the right direction despite the "heavy flak" that often comes with that good advice.