Now where did I put that magnifying glass??

[Jock Scot]

Jock,

Note I mentioned the magnifying glass and pipe

Cheers

Jamie

Yes Jamie, absolutely. What I was trying to do, was point out to people that the deer stalker was and still is very much every day attire here in the highlands and not just a bit of theatrical frippery.

I very much miss smoking my pipe, but I use a magnifying glass all too often these days. Ho hum, such is life ,I suppose.

[Panache]

What I was trying to do, was point out to people that the deer stalker was and still is very much every day attire here in the highlands and not just a bit of theatrical frippery.

Jock,

An interesting parallel would be to think about men who like brown leather jackets and brown fedora hats. Until the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark and the character "Indiana Jones" this was a simple combination of clothing that looked jaunty and dashing. Because of the great popularity of the character and the rest of "Indiana Jones" films this combination became an iconic look for Indy. Therefore when you wear these items you will get an immediate identification with that particular character.

Inverness capes and deerstalker caps seem to have been/are a popular combination in their native land. With the popularity of a single illustration of Holmes in the Strand Magazine creating an iconic image of Holmes (cemented with Basil Rathbone's portrayal of Holmes in films) these items are now and forever linked with Holmes.

This is neither bad nor good, it just is. I am more than happy to acknowledge the Great Detective when I wear my Inverness cape and deerstalker (and liking the Holmes' stories quite a bit I am find it fun to note to people that he never wore this type of outfit in the stories at all). Just as when I wear my battered brown leather jacket and fedora I am ready to tip my hat at Indy.

If one forgoes the magnifying glass and pipe (or whip and revolver as the case may be) these two outfits are good ones in their own right and not costumes.

Cheers

Jamie

[Smayniac]

To tie several elements of this thread back together, a costumer of my acquaintance commented most particularly on the Jeremy Brett portrayal of Holmes that he wore the Inverness and Deerstalker where they were appropriate, in the country.

I do agree with Hector to an extent; Thompson, in "So You've Decided to Wear the Kilt," is most emphatic that the kilt NOT be worn as a costume, a trap it would appear all to easy to fall into.

Bob