The Tartan Police!

[macwilkin]

And, to expand on your thoughts Bubba... Kilt wearers are another herd. Of sorts. A smaller herd, but a herd non the less, with it's own social structure and conformist statutes, er, traditions. And when somebody in the kilt wearing herd stands out from fellow kilt wearers, stuff happens. Just look at the X-Marks crowd... OMG don't wear this or that with your kilt!!! NOES!

Hmm this has me thinking. Suddenly a lot of thoughts are tumbling in the nearly empty space between my ears.

X-Marks exists because us anti conformist types seek other anti conformist types to conform with.

Bah! I just logicked my way into a corner I can't get out of damnit!

Dreadbelly,

Remember...one man's "conformist statutes" are another man's traditions. Again, repect is a two-way street.

I personally object to your negative implications that those of us who are traditionalists are part of the "kilt-wearing herd". That is exactly what I was talking about in my previous post.

Todd

[Dreadbelly]

Like the Kingussie kilt?
http://www.cuillinn.com/repro.html

The problem with saying "X is not a kilt because of feature Y" is that for many values of Y, an unquestionably traditional kilt exists that has Y.

Hence I am reluctant to draw a line in the sand. It is likely to be unjustified, and certain to be uncharitable. In any case, it is utterly pointless. The Utilikilt is not my choice, but nobody is forcing it on me. Live and let live.

Glenn

Well said good sir. And I agree. I have a gross tartan fixation and addiction, but I am considering a solid coloured kilt.

Hah! I am a tartan traditionalist!

[Dreadbelly]

Dreadbelly,

Remember...one man's "conformist statutes" are another man's traditions. Again, repect is a two-way street.

I personally object to your negative implications that those of us who are traditionalists are part of the "kilt-wearing herd". That is exactly what I was talking about in my previous post.

Todd

Point taken, but that was not negative. More of a neutral observation. Like it or not, I am part of this herd my self. I live in this glass house my self, so believe me, I am not intentionally throwing any rocks.

I personally appreciate that there are people (like you) that keep the flame alive for these "traditions."

[Archangel]

<snip>

X-Marks exists because us anti conformist types seek other anti conformist types to conform with.

Bah! I just logicked my way into a corner I can't get out of damnit!

This reminds me of George Carlin and the non-conformist pledge skit.
Or the posting of rules at the Anarchist convention.
Ah, the sound of a conundrum.

[Rob Wright]

There are many of us who mix what we wear. I wear the contemporary style kilts for work and on the weekends and for special events and what not I go casual to full traditional. Each has there place. I love the traditional look. But it is not practical for much of what we do today. That is were the contemporary's come in.

The perfect example is our very own Hamish. Look at his photo album and you will see the perfect mixing of traditional and contemporary kilt styles.

I don't care for some of utilikilts models but some I can see some of them being very useful in several different situations.

Wear what is appropriate for the task or function, very simple.

Rob who has

1 9yd traditional Douglas Modern
1 9 yd traditional Douglas Ancient
1 Casul Machine sewn Douglas Modern
1 Navy Blue USA Kilts Victory
1 Pittsburgh Kilt 12 oz Black solid basic kilt
1 Pittsburgh Kilt 10 oz Black Solid bvasic kilt
On order 1 9 yd traditional Douglas Grey Ancient

[bubba]

Each of us took to kilts for various reasons and often for multiple reasons. The fact is (heresey coming) kilts are not holy relics or objects of worship. I have kilts in family tartan, Black Watch and plain denim. I wear whatever fits with what I'm doing. Sometimes I dress up, but not often. When temps hit 90+F I'm sure not wearing wool hose or a jacket. I'm going to dress for the weather. Yes, I do like the traditional look but often it simply isn't practical for any number of reasons. I do respect the views of the traditional guys but I also respect other views. We're gentlemen here. I think we can avoid hostility over it.

[GG]

Most of you seem to be Americans or English. So you might not have that much idea about politics in Europe (no offence intended). But you might know that in the seventies and most of the eighties our political scene went far more to the left (and probably to the right) than in your two-parties-only systems.
Especially within the socialist parties members were eagerly discussing who represented the true socialism and who did not. They who didn’t – in the eyes of somebody – were suddenly not friends or comrades anymore; they were regarded enemies and in fact worse and more dangerous than the capitalists.
The result was numerous fractions of left wing socialists and a lot of parties that could not agree about anything (and in my opinion good for that).
From time to time I get the impression that men in kilts resemble these old left wing fractions and that the outcome might be the same. We, by seeking for the one and only true kilt doctrine, might be self-destructing rather than being promoting the idea of kilt wearing – whatever the right idea might be, then.

GG

[Riverkilt]

I gotta tell you philosophers just how wonderful it felt to go to the Highland Games in Flagstaff Arizona yesterday (a small city of 50,000) and just soak in all the kilts.

There were expensive traditionals, inexpensive tartans - right down to SportKilts - contemporary kilts from many manufacturers in many styles.
It was just a joy to see so many men in kilts....and yes, a few ladies...including my lady. I made my first Utilikilt sale when Jeff and Jay were swamped at the UK booth, sold her a very nice UK olive original.

This will boggle some minds. I even saw a hand sewn traditional kilt made from camo pattern fabric. Wanted to ask the guy about it but he was quite busy with many other folks.

And, joy of joys, there was the guy in the traditional kilt who's lady kept running her hand over his butt and then slipping her hand between the pleats of his kilt.

There was a great turnout for a small town and kilts were the order of the day rather than a whole lot of bifurcated men peering at a few kilted folks.

Kilts are common sense. What's to police?

Ron

[macwilkin]

Will, why did you delete your last post? I thought it was well-reasoned and made some very good points.

Cheers,

Todd

[Will Macadam]

Todd,
Glad you liked it.
It was one of my opuses! I tend to get to 'invested' in these arguments, also i edit a zillion times, and in fairness, someone could well respond to a point that is no longer even expressed in the 'original'.
Which then looks unsporting on my part.
Also, well-reasoned though it appears, I'm someone who is very much a newbie, on reflection, I think I'll reserve my opinions for a few more months at least!
I'm sure the opportunity will come again!
Let me say this about the picture of the 'offenders' on the Tartan Police website.
As a Scot, those people offended my sensibilities, regardless of their OWN claims to the blood. In the embarrassment factor its up there with Oprah recently going on South African TV and claiming to have Zulu blood!
What made it (the Tartan Toga Team) more offensive was the fact that the whole picture just screams "We are gurgling ignoramuses, and we don't even know we are so off beam we are just embarrassing ourselves".
Why reason with that? Why defend oneself for ones right to demand a standard of excellence in the expression of ones heritage?
It's like feeding strawberries to billy goats.
See, the other post was kinder, cooler, more rational! I should have left well enough alone! ;) This time I will.... let them flame.