Kilt Do's and Don'ts

[ChattanCat]

Maybe we shouldn't be paying too much attention to the accuracy of what the laddie is wearing, but rather with his purpose in wearing it in the first place. The woman with her back to us is wearing a costume; perhaps he thinks he is, too (perhaps he even borrowed it, incomplete, for the occasion). In fact, the only one in the photo who is not wearing a costume is the woman in the centre. It's the "costume" part we are objecting to, isn't it?

I laugh at the posers!

[Jock Scot]

Maybe we shouldn't be paying too much attention to the accuracy of what the laddie is wearing, but rather with his purpose in wearing it in the first place. The woman with her back to us is wearing a costume; perhaps he thinks he is, too (perhaps he even borrowed it, incomplete, for the occasion). In fact, the only one in the photo who is not wearing a costume is the woman in the centre. It's the "costume" part we are objecting to, isn't it?

Well yes. I can't help but consider that the traditional kilt is not and never has been "costume" and as such, there are certain dress conventions(not rules) that should be observed to do justice to my national dress. I do quite understand that there is a certain amount of leeway for personal choice and flair. In my humble opinion, there are limits though, and when a person has gone far beyond those limits, they are then laying themselves open for friendly comment. However, as I have always said:"each to their own".

[sathor]

Don't go regimental until you're potty trained:

You know, I've been thinking of getting a kilt for my oldest (turns 4 next week) since for some reason after he uses the potty he refuses to put his pants back on. He still wets himself a bit too much I think though.

[ThistleDown]

Well yes. I can't help but consider that the traditional kilt is not and never has been "costume" and as such, there are certain dress conventions(not rules) that should be observed to do justice to my national dress. I do quite understand that there is a certain amount of leeway for personal choice and flair. In my humble opinion, there are limits though, and when a person has gone far beyond those limits, they are then laying themselves open for friendly comment. However, as I have always said:"each to their own".

For sure, my friend. I guess what I was trying to say is that so many folk even on XMTS are totally confused about Highland dress (mine, too, Jock ). On other threads we have seen the kilt worn with Stetsons, high-tops, and other relatively minor deviations from convention. We try to gently correct these folk as we go along. In this particular case, however, the man (we don't know him) was attending a costume party as evidenced by the woman who is the main focus of the photo. He thought he was wearing a costume. The focus for educating him (if we knew him) should be on the fact that Highland dress is not a costume. The fact that he is wearing it at all is the criticism, not whether he has a baseball cap, a straight tie or the wrong shoes.

[Monkey@Arms]

For sure, my friend. I guess what I was trying to say is that so many folk even on XMTS are totally confused about Highland dress (mine, too, Jock ). On other threads we have seen the kilt worn with Stetsons, high-tops, and other relatively minor deviations from convention. We try to gently correct these folk as we go along. In this particular case, however, the man (we don't know him) was attending a costume party as evidenced by the woman who is the main focus of the photo. He thought he was wearing a costume. The focus for educating him (if we knew him) should be on the fact that Highland dress is not a costume. The fact that he is wearing it at all is the criticism, not whether he has a baseball cap, a straight tie or the wrong shoes.

We are getting off-topic here, but I can't help but question some of the assumptions being made. I understand the person in question is wearing a kilt a Celtic festival. Why should that open him to criticism, particularly on this a forum for kilt wearers? While you may not agree with his fashion choices, in terms of hat style, etc., those are just that, fashion choices. Fashions (and tastes) differ, he might think you dress funny too.

Best regards,

Jake

[Highland Logan]

We are getting off-topic here, but I can't help but question some of the assumptions being made. I understand the person in question is wearing a kilt a Celtic festival. Why should that open him to criticism, particularly on this a forum for kilt wearers? While you may not agree with his fashion choices, in terms of hat style, etc., those are just that, fashion choices. Fashions (and tastes) differ, he might think you dress funny too.

Best regards,

Jake

Then why have a do's and don'ts thread? The purpose of this thread was to highlight the mistakes of others so that anyone; member or guest websurfer, could see how not to wear Scottish attire. It was also meant to illistrate what proper dress looked like. The example that was sited showed a whole sampler of incorrect dress. Would you also defend someone wearing tennis shoes, ball cap with a tux? There comes a time when fashion and taste are not being shown and it all boils down to ignorance on the part of the wearer. The spirit of this post is to help educate those who read it. If every fashion mistake should be taken as "my own style", why even bother with this board. If a new member asks how something should be worn/done, perhaps we should just tell them to do/wear it whatever way they like.. after all it would be their own personal style.

Frank

[Monkey@Arms]

Then why have a do's and don'ts thread? The purpose of this thread was to highlight the mistakes of others so that anyone; member or guest websurfer, could see how not to wear Scottish attire. It was also meant to illistrate what proper dress looked like. The example that was sited showed a whole sampler of incorrect dress. Would you also defend someone wearing tennis shoes, ball cap with a tux? There comes a time when fashion and taste are not being shown and it all boils down to ignorance on the part of the wearer. The spirit of this post is to help educate those who read it. If every fashion mistake should be taken as "my own style", why even bother with this board. If a new member asks how something should be worn/done, perhaps we should just tell them to do/wear it whatever way they like.. after all it would be their own personal style.

Frank

Perhaps I did not express myself clearly. I was referring specifically to the highlighted comments in which it was assumed that the man pictured was wearing his kilt as a costume and thus should be criticised. We have had many debates on this forum about whether western (meaning cowboy) styles can ever be mixed with kilts. Although its not my style, opinions vary. That's because they are just that, opinions.

I don't accept the premise that all deviations from "convention" are necessarily dont's. Sometimes they are clearly the result of ignorance, but sometimes they are intentional expressions of individual style. Whether they work or not is in the eye of the beholder.

Indeed, some on this forum have expressed extremely strong views that wearing white hose with formal wear is an absolute don't of the highest order, and frankly white hose is quite conventional nowadays. The point is not everyone agrees on what constitutes a don't. I'm not saying its not up for discussion, I'm just suggesting that a little humility goes along way. Unless of course, your a card-carrying member of the kilt police like me.

Best regards,

Jake

[Highland Logan]

...I'm just suggesting that a little humility goes along way. Unless of course, your a card-carrying member of the kilt police like me.

Best regards,

Jake

Humble man, pulling out a badge... besides everyone knows the "real" kilt police don't have badges.. they just follow you around in unmarked black cars after you've been seen in white hose... then there's a bright light, and the next thing you know you wake up with no memory and you're wearing pants!

Frank

[ThistleDown]

Perhaps I did not express myself clearly. I was referring specifically to the highlighted comments in which it was assumed that the man pictured was wearing his kilt as a costume and thus should be criticised.

You mistake what I said. I said that if he was wearing what he was wearing because he saw it as a costume, it was his perception of Highland dress as a "costume" that is open to criticism, not the individual items that made up his costume.

Indeed, some on this forum have expressed extremely strong views that wearing white hose with formal wear is an absolute don't of the highest order, and frankly white hose is quite conventional nowadays.

I am entirely in agreement. There was a time, not so long ago, when the only hose that could be afforded by the "common man" in Scotland -- to wear with his very costly kilt -- was a Lovat green. Perhap a poor choice as a fashion match to some kilts, but that was what was commercially available. Wives recognised this and began knitting wonderful off-white and undyed kilt hose. We all wanted our wives (girlfriends, mothers, aunts, whatever) to make us a pair. They did and the industrial knitters were soon on the bandwagon. Those thin, stark white hose are the result, but there is nothing quite so fine to wear as hand-knitted hose -- regardless of the colour that is "in" today.

[greenguzzi]

Humble man, pulling out a badge... besides everyone knows the "real" kilt police don't have badges.. they just follow you around in unmarked black cars after you've been seen in white hose... then there's a bright light, and the next thing you know you wake up with no memory and you're wearing pants!

Frank

Well put. My wife bought me a kilt for my birthday in January. So I found this site, and have been following this thread since then. Judging by some of the comments I've read here it's almost impossible to wear a kilt correctly. I think I'll stick to trousers, it's so much simpler. When one wears trousers it's pretty much up to common sense and personal expression and style. But kilts seem to come with too many rules and too much "baggage" for me.