It's nice to know the rules but....

[GMan]

DUDE, You rock! Well said.

[Big Paul]

Well done! Very well done!

[Scotus]

You should also understand that there are purists (traditionalists) on this board, and our opinions should be respected as well. From your post, and I know you're new, you seem to be saying that we are being old fashioned and against change. I know you didn't write that, but it is implied. This is an opinion I see increasingly on XMarks. For us, some things are done simply out of tradition. This is a strongly held opinion by a lot of us in this forum, but it seems that when people are going against kilt traditions there are rounds of applause; however, when someone is defending tradition there are shouts of "Victorianism" and "Brigadoonery!" Does this mean I am against wearing boots with traditional kits? No, am for wearing anything with a kilt! I am speaking only about the kilt and what defines a kilt. That's where there seems to be disagreement in this forum. Just be careful that the views of some who believe that a kilt is more narrowly defined are respected, as we respect those those who wear more modern versions of the kilt.

[Will Macadam]

You should also understand that there are purists (traditionalists) on this board, and our opinions should be respected as well. From your post, and I know you're new, you seem to be saying that we are being old fashioned and against change. I know you didn't write that, but it is implied.

Hello Scotus,
I think I went to great lengths (and several re-edits) to be inclusive, reverent, and unprovocative.
I don't reply to disagree with any of the points you made.
And there were some good points in your reply that I've snipped for brevity's sake, and because in esssence they were not contrary to my original thoughts.
I'm concerned that you saw my post as an implication the traditionalists, and traditions, are to be disparaged as out of touch or old fashioned.
A point I may have glossed over was that the more I read the more 'confused' the concept of 'tradition' appeared, if taken to its logical conclusions.
Tradition could be a guy in a Great Kilt, fur leggings, BAREFOOT, with a saffron shirt (NOT Jacobean cut!) and a whopping great Claymore sword, I for one think that picture puts very much to rest the notion that traditionalists got no fire in the belly, never mind the pipes, you could strap an electric guitar over the shoulder of a guy dressed like that, talk about Highland Hip! 8)
The other less palatable aspect of Scots heritage is the claim by some that the concept of Clan Tartan started as a scam by a couple of 'pretender' Victorian brothers out for a quick buck!
But for the sake of discussion lets agree tradition is what we all commonly recognise at weddings etc as Highland Dress.

I have invested significantly in my own 'trad' Highland Outfit, at risk of being a kilted provocateur, allow me to explain some of the additional freedoms I've taken with the code.
I am having an Argyll jacket made in Oban Green (Bottle Green) with Gauntlet cuff, and true to my form, I asked that the breast pocket be deleted and black braid epaulettes be added. All my metal appointments (buttons, belt buckle) are 'antique' rather than 'gilt'. I will use the jacket mainly for military commemorations and formal dinners.
The pleasant young woman who assisted me at the outfitters in Clydebank, Scotland, surprised me by saying -quote: "I'm looking forward to seeing this all come together, we usually get people here who just "Prince Charlie" their way through the entire process. (NO offence to Prince Charlie wearers intended!!!!) I think she just meant that as a professional outfitter, she was excited to see a little personality, and some of that renowned Scots inventiveness, being applied within the boundaries of the code.
I struggled with myself for days to 'get it right' and still be individual on this kilted quest.
If I've disparaged anything at all, it was the old Oxford (English) Brogue, not the wearers of it!
While I don't go for Ghillie brogues, and sporran chains, they are I think, very much here to stay.
What's more, I would hazard a guess the traditionalists far outnumber the creatives, both here and on the kilted street.
Scotus, you rightly point out that strict adherence is a choice to be respected as much as any other. I made at least two statements in the previous post that to my mind supported that.
I did state, and stand by, the irrecontrivertible fact that traditions will evolve, even Scots regimental uniforms move (albeit glacially) with the times.

It's worth noting that two of my earlier mentioned modifications (sports-hybrid day shoes, sporran strap) were for practical everyday kiltwearing purposes (after all, central to all this, and germaine to our existence as a group, is the promotion of, and facilitation of, kiltwearing on occasions OTHER THAN traditional events, regardless of our personal flourishes) neither modification, as far as I know, outrage any Highland Dress convention to the point of bringing either myself or Highland Dress, into disrepute, nor are they meant to imply the accepted forms are old-fasioned.
Are they more practical than the accepted forms? I think so.
As for my buckled shoes, whilst very much traditional, they alone, if anything, could well be dying out!

I'm an absolute kilted beginner, and I would never presume to insist my modifications are the 'future' of Highland dress, but without kilted newbies, of all types, there is no kilted future of ANY type.

My kilted style is merely mine, for my satisfaction, shared with the kilted fellowship to encourage a growing, living, culture of kiltwearing.

While I'm here, I may as well say that I for one, will not wear WHITE hose after sundown -ever. You can't get more 'Traditional' than diced hose, and I paid a fortune for the priviledge too. On a side note, I really think diced hose should, and could, be seen under formal kilts a lot more if the price was right. Watch this space

BTW, in case anyone was wondering, I'm Forty Four and a bit, years young.

Thanks to all those who've chipped in with their comments, and Scotus, you always remain a respected brother -I'd fight for the kilt, in my kilt, alongside you, anytime! :mrgreen:

[Scotus]

Will:

Very well written, Will. Thank you for that. And... by the way... welcome to the forum! It really is a great place!

[Sir Robert]

I read an article where on 7 June 2005 while being presented to some World War Two veterans the Prince of Wales got his butt chewed for wearing the kilt wrong by the old kilted ones.

So it is not just us that it happens to.

As far as I am concerned if the POW wears his kilt one way, that way is correct period. I am thankful to all of you for your wonderful advice on what exactly the rules are but ultimately we each decide for ourselves wheather or not to follow them. If that causes a drift in what is, or what is not, Scottish Wear so be it.

What happens when seals become extinct? No more sporrans, thus no more kilts thus no more Scotsmen? I say NAY! We will just use DNA from our forefather's sporrans, clone the damn things, hit em wi' a club and make new sporrans!