The Importance of knowing the Rules of Kilted Fashion

[Kiltman]

Guidelines rather than rules I suspect comes closer to the truth of it for us non-military types. As an artist, I suspect these evolved guidelines boil down to a matter of proportion. Why a wide belt and not a skinny one? Why a hand width gap between the bottom of the belt and the top of the sporran? Why a short waisted jacket and not a longer one? Why hose at four fingers below the knee and a kilt at the top of the knee? I suspect that much like the golden rectangle, these proportions have been judged more visually pleasing than all the attempted alternatives.

Bend the "rules" break the "rules" if you'd like I suppose. Why not - after all that's what fashion is all about.

Now for the matter of rubber chicken sporrans? I believe they are Dadaism pure and simple.

I agree with Phil. I'm also delighted that we have Matt and his cool reasoned analysis of XMTs folk.

I am retired military and understand the importance of wearing the uniform properly; but I seldom do that now except when it's Burns' Night or I'm in a SCD show.

Reason should always win out. Well, I'm a philosopher so I should think that.

[CDNSushi]

The only rule I follow is a self imposed one...

I must wear the following every third Thursday after the lunar equinox:

a bright color hawiian shirt
Paisley Tie
Buchanan Modern OR 'Loud MacLeod' tartan
Rainbow striped socks
birkenstocks
a "Fanny Pak" instead of a sporran
Mullet wig

The ladies come running.

[sarcasm mode off]

Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! PIX! PLEEEEEAAASE!!!!


/!

[ccga3359]

The ladies come running.

It's the rubber chicken sporran, right ?

Now I know it's a matter of semantics but do they (the ladies) "come" or "go" ?



Oh, and to whet CDNSushi's appetite:

[Livingston]

It's the rubber chicken sporran, right ?

Now I know it's a matter of semantics but do they (the ladies) "come" or "go" ?



Oh, and to whet CDNSushi's appetite:

For the rubber chicken sporran...its GO! the other way

[Ancienne Alliance]

The importance of knowing the 'rules' is that there is little in life more embarassing than breaking a 'rule' by mistake.

I fully agree !


Best,

Robert

[CameronTaylor]

Since I was bron in the lowlands of Santa Ana (wind optional), and reside in the midlands of P-town I strive never to wear Highland dress.
My guidelines are I wear what I want when I want, occasionally I look good doing it too.


CT - but no rubber chicken sporran

[DWFII]

This is all so encouraging...

I really want to wear a feather in my TOS. Maybe a big pheasant or eagle feather (maybe two) stuck upright over the left ear/temple. I am reassured at the number of folks who would admire me for it.

I was also thinking of wearing grey woolen tights instead of hose (to keep my nether regions warm and strapping a Bowie knife to my calf in lieu of that tiny, contemptible ant-stabber.

[macwilkin]

I really want to wear a feather in my TOS. Maybe a big pheasant or eagle feather (maybe two) stuck upright over the left ear/temple. I am reassured at the number of folks who would admire me for it.

Traditionally, feathers in a bonnet are reserved for chiefs and armigers:

http://www.scotarmigers.net/pdfs/info-leaflet-2.pdf

Regards,

Todd

[Riverkilt]

Thanks Jamie....

A thread about "rules" on this board...???

A fast five pages out of the gate and we're still rabble to the core.

I would submit that it is contemporary kiltmakers who have put hidden pockets and big outside pockets on tartan kilts...it is contemporary kiltmakers who are pushing the edge of "the rules" to market their product.

I've found that even traditional kilts go very well with a lot of things the old rulemakers (who are these folks??) never conceived of.

One of my favorite photos is the piper at Culloden in a faded jean jacket. Who'd have thunk it...but beautiful.



Or this advert photo of a vest in lieu of a sporran. May break "the rules" but it sure is common sense and I happen to like the look of showing off the tartan by leaving the front of the kilt sporran free. Certainly a way to go for hiking to avoid the sporran bouncing ad infinitum on the man parts.



I've been fortunate to only be confronted by one Kilt Cop at a Highland gathering. He was upset that I wore Macdonald Lord of the Isles hunting tartan. Never mind that the mills crank it out in quantity for everything from neckties to kilts. He felt the tartan was reserved for only the Lord of the Isles himself. But, this Kilt Cop was such a nutcase about "the rules" that our local Clan Donald asked him to "please please please" don't come around anymore.

I understand that rules make traffic flow smoothly. But clinging to "the rules" can sometimes be a sign of insecurity (no accusations, just an observation).

Understand the "rules" for traditional highand dress somewhat. Wish I knew more about how they evolved. I suspect were I a contemporary of some of the rulemakers I might not have liked them very much.

Now, I have a made-to-measure PC and waistcoat being sewn up at Lochcarron and suspect I should bone up on them old rules...

Mardi Gras is looming...amazing what rules a kiltie can break for Mardi Gras....

Ron

[Phil]

The principal reason for having what I would describe as "guidelines" rather than "rules" is to avoid embarrassment, not just for the wearer who is probably blissfully unaware of his ridiculous appearance, but also for everyone else in the company whose feelings will range from outright pity to uncontrollable mirth.