The Rules and Exceptions Thereunto.

[Riverkilt]

Sadly, many "rules" evolve from childhood...NEEDING to know what's right so maybe, just maybe we won't get hit, beat, yelled at, whatever for being wrong.

'tis anxiety that drives perfectionism and rules...

Most of the Ren Faires and games I've been to would drive a kilt rules embracer to a befuddled meltdown.

I do appreciate suggestions and knowing the old ways....but I'd rather wallow in the anarchy of kilts with tank tops and sandals, contemporary kilts, and (gasp) Norwegian sporrans

After just getting and reading a copy of Men in Skirts I'm amazed that there are any rules left for MUGs other than shattered pieces laying about.

Ron

[macwilkin]

It was the English that created rules for it. I wear my kilts in the same spirit the old highlanders did, to protect the body from the elements and in modern terms to avoid arrest for indecent exposure. I'm old. I don't have to care about rules.

It's easy to blame the English for everything, yet the "rules", customs and traditions of kilt wearing come from so many other sources than just the English -- The Highland Regiments, general fashion trends, Sir Walter Scott, adaptions of practial garments into "formal" or national dress, even Scottish expats living in other countries who adopted "traditional" Highland attire (even Lowlanders) to symbolize their homeland.

I must say that as a "traditionalist" myself, I really get tired of the "traditionalist bashing" around here. I am a traditionalist for myself, and no one else. I have certain standards in dress that I hold myself to, and no one else. I do not judge others for their choices, and ask only that I not be judged for mine. If one likes to dress in the "traditional" Highland way, then that's just as legimate as those who are dressing in more "nontraditional" ways.

Respect and tolerance is a two-way street...perhaps the reason why some of us traditionalists are grumpy is because some make the assumption that we are intolerant of all change, and anything that deviates from the norm -- we are judged before we get a chance to speak our minds. Sure, some traditionalists are jerks -- but so are some non-traditionalists. You can't judge a book by its cover.

I view the way I wear my kilt the same way I view my faith -- I only know what is right for me, I cannot condemn others because they are different from me.

I'm sorry to be a wee bit grumpy on this point. It just gets really old sometimes.

Regards,

Todd

[bubba]

Todd, I'm not trashing the guys that like the formality, but that isn't for an old country boy like me. The truth is most of the rules of dress did originate with the English and those closely associated with them. That isn't blame, it just is. I never went for suits either so the way I wear my kilts is just part and parcel of the way I've always dressed.

[macwilkin]

Todd, I'm not trashing the guys that like the formality, but that isn't for an old country boy like me. The truth is most of the rules of dress did originate with the English and those closely associated with them. That isn't blame, it just is. I never went for suits either so the way I wear my kilts is just part and parcel of the way I've always dressed.

Bubba, my grandfather was an Iowa farmer who had no problems wearing "formal attire" (a suit & tie) to lodge or church -- he dressed for the event he was attending -- same with most of my Iowa ancestors (of Scottish heritage), so I just can't buy the argument that being from a "rural" area makes you somehow against "dressing up" -- just my opinion there, for what that's worth.

As far as the English making the rules, I just can't be that general when it comes to the history of Highland attire. If the kilt is an evolving garment, then why cannot not evolve from a practical piece of clothing to a "formal outfit" (for lack of a better term) -- look at the many elements of military dress which have evolved from "practical" pieces of clothing.

All I'm saying is that if "dressing up" isn't part of who you are, then that's great -- but for some like myself, it is part of who I am. Both POV's are valid and should respected -- and I'm not singling you out, just my observations.

I guess we'll just have to "agree to disagree". ;)

T.

[bubba]

Todd, if I dressed up lots of people would have heart attacks. Be kinda like putting a tux on a horse. That's just me, casual to the point of barbarity The fact is I never even learned to tie a necktie, I wear one so rarely I just use a clip-on, and I only have one and that only gets used for weddings and funerals. Guess I'll never be invited for tea with the Queen, huh. ;)

[Jerry]

Todd, if I dressed up lots of people would have heart attacks. Be kinda like putting a tux on a horse. That's just me, casual to the point of barbarity The fact is I never even learned to tie a necktie, I wear one so rarely I just use a clip-on, and I only have one and that only gets used for weddings and funerals. Guess I'll never be invited for tea with the Queen, huh. ;)

You sound a lot like me, Todd, I own only one suit, and it probably doesn't fit me anymore. I kind of hope no one I know dies or gets married, so I don't have to go out and buy another expensive set of clothes which will be stuck in the back of a closet until I need it again and discover it no longer fits. Of course, the whole problem could be solved by just wearing a kilt. But, that might make it necessary to but more expensive clothes at least an argyle jacket, shirt and tie, or depending on how formal the occasion, maybe a PC and accessories. I do own a few Jacobite shirts, so maybe I could wear them at an informal wedding. They would probably be okay for most funerals also, I regularly see people attend them in jeans with a nice shirt. If it happens to be my funeral, I'll be kilted with whatever else I express my desire to wear and won't care what anyone thinks

[macwilkin]

You sound a lot like me, Todd, I own only one suit, and it probably doesn't fit me anymore. I kind of hope no one I know dies or gets married, so I don't have to go out and buy another expensive set of clothes which will be stuck in the back of a closet until I need it again and discover it no longer fits. Of course, the whole problem could be solved by just wearing a kilt. But, that might make it necessary to but more expensive clothes at least an argyle jacket, shirt and tie, or depending on how formal the occasion, maybe a PC and accessories. I do own a few Jacobite shirts, so maybe I could wear them at an informal wedding. They would probably be okay for most funerals also, I regularly see people attend them in jeans with a nice shirt. If it happens to be my funeral, I'll be kilted with whatever else I express my desire to wear and won't care what anyone thinks

Jerry -- didn't you mean Bubba?

T.

[Doc Hudson]

It's easy to blame the English for everything,

But Todd!!!

The English are SO BLAMABLE!!!!

How can anyone resisit such easy targets?

BTW, the above was spoken in jest by another Anglophile.

[Gaian]

It is time to "think outside of the box," or "expand your comfort zone." It is nice to know that there are more free thinkers here. Nothing irritates me more than to have to conform to someone elses idea of convention. Don't just march to a different drummer, beat your own drum! As long as it does not infringe on the rights of others why not give it a try? Be independent, Strike out on your own. You might be surprised who might follow. If you are going to be a sheep, at least be the lead sheep ( what does one call the lead sheep anyway?) So many people are content to be led and are afraid to step out on their own and be noticed. "Just do it!" ( to borrow from a past sportswear ad campaign.)

[Jimmy Carbomb]

It sure didn't take long for the rule whining to show-up again!

We all know that there are no real rules. We all know that, around here, it's common knowledge that guys can wear what they want. That's gone through so many threads that it's become BEYOND boring.

What began as a thread on the "rules" (whether legitimate or not) has drifted into the same-old, same-old.

I guess we can try to get out of the rut one more time...

Campbell Tartan Etiquette:

The tartan of a Highland clan is determined by the clan chief. The clansmen and followers (blood relations and families taking protection from the clan) wear the tartan of the chief. In most cases the sett has been acknowledged for generations and is well known to chief and clansmen alike, but occasionally the chief may pronounce on a new pattern or disassociate himself from an old one. A case in point is the Clan Campbell tartan. The present chief does not acknowledge the well-known Campbell of Argyll, and instead prefers to wear the Black Watch Campbell in ancient colors.