Cheap formal wear?

[McMurdo]

Here is something that I found on Matt's blog, I think it speaks directly to this thread. It is also something I must remind myself of from time to time.

Advice for every kilt wearer
"The Highland dress is essentially a 'free' dress -- that is to say, a man's taste and circumstances must alone be permitted to decide when and where and how he should wear it... I presume to dictate to no man what he shall eat or drink or wherewithal he shall be clothed." -- The Hon. Stuart Ruaidri Erskine, The Kilt & How to Wear It, 1901.

[James MacMillan]

Advice for every kilt wearer
"The Highland dress is essentially a 'free' dress -- that is to say, a man's taste and circumstances must alone be permitted to decide when and where and how he should wear it... I presume to dictate to no man what he shall eat or drink or wherewithal he shall be clothed." -- The Hon. Stuart Ruaidri Erskine, The Kilt & How to Wear It, 1901.

I don't have that book, and I can't find it on Amazon..... But I love the quote!

That pretty much says it all.

Thanks

[ccga3359]

I don't have that book, and I can't find it on Amazon..... But I love the quote!

That pretty much says it all.

Thanks

Jay our very own Matt Newsome carries it. Please don't tie him up too long ordering it. He has my Ancient MacLachlan 4 yard box to compleat.

[macwilkin]

Gents,

Please remember though, that some of us who do own "tailor-made" Highland attire saved long & hard for it. I sometimes think people assume that because someone owns "the best", we are all "moneybags". That's simply not the case; I know I'm certainly not.

My first PC was a converted tail jacket. I wore it until I had saved enough money to buy a "proper" one, and I passed my conversion along to someone else who needed it. That's a little trick I learned in CW reenacting, btw. Other items were presents from my parents, my mother-in-law and most especially, my wife. They're not hand-made, but they have just as much sentimental value to me because of who gave them to me as the items that were crafted by something.

I don't need instant gratification all of the time -- the anticipation is just as exciting. Besides, as my grandmother always said, true frugality is owning the "best" so you don't have to keep replacing it!

Regards,

Todd