"Viking Style" Brouge lacing?

[Tobus]

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.

It may be true that a majority of kilt-wearers rely on hire shops, I wouldn't know. My intent with my previous comment was not to say that the hire industry should be avoided. I was just pointing out that their illustrations should not in any way be relied upon as a source for examples on how to wear anything correctly. A good portion of their items and advice come from people and places that are unfamiliar with local cultural norms.

I don't know why discussions of this nature always come down to this same debate. I don't stay awake at night worrying about wearing the kilt (and its related accessories) correctly. But I do put thought into it when I'm getting dressed, just as any reasonable person puts thought into what they're wearing when dressing for school, church, work, etc. I might want to wear knee-high striped gym socks, swim trunks, cowboy boots with spurs, a polo shirt with a bowtie, and a bandana on my head to church because these are all typical items worn in America, but then I would think to myself, "no, that would look stupid/inappropriate and this combination is one of those things that people in my country inherently understand is just not done."

But I realise that someone who didn't grow up in this culture might not understand that. If they ask the question, I would explain to them that it's not really the right way to wear this clothing. Not because there are "rules" or "strict guidelines" against it, but because it's just, well, weird. And in fact, people who choose to dress that way are usually doing so to make some sort of social statement. If this person offered a bunch of pushback about how we Americans were just too rigid in our dress guidelines, I would be scratching my head pretty much the same way as I'm scratching my head over your comments here. If it's a counter-culture look you're after, or a social statement, or attention, then by all means wear any of your clothing however you wish. Short of breaking actual obscenity laws, no one is going to stop you. But do be aware that just like in any culture around the world, there are normal and established ways of wearing things. People who grew up in that culture, and people who want to be respectful of it, generally try to understand and follow the norms instead of lecturing them about how their norms are too strict.