The Importance of knowing the Rules of Kilted Fashion

[Captain Karrot]

The Rules of Fashion constantly evolve.

Someone may bend or even break a rule and come up with something that works so well that it becomes the new rule.

Men's formal fashions seem to evolve at a much slower rate that casual ones.

The big point I was trying to make in the is thread that when we Ladies and Gentlemen of X Marks the Scot break with tradition it should be a deliberate choice and not ignorance.

Some of these choices are going to be bold and daring and will be successes

Some of these choices are going to look stupid and dreadful

When one leaves the path for the wilderness one never knows exactly what one will find.

A good knowledge of the conventions, guidelines, and rules of Highland fashion can at least be a compass in that unknown terrain.

Cheers

Jamie

After reading all the posts in this thread, I was trying to find a way to put my thoughts/opinions into words. Luckily, I got to the last post and Jamie had already done so.

Knowing the rules is important, if for nothing else to have a reasoned argument to make when accosted by the kilt police.

Fashion sense has always been, and will always be, something of a personal decision - does the individual think that something looks good on them. Just look at some of the garbage coming off the Paris runways over the years. To me, they were dreadful. But someone liked it....

We must recognize that though kilts are a fashion choice, to many people, they are tied to a cultural heritage. Knowing that, we must have some respect for it.

If someone asks for advice, then decides not to take it, it is not necessarily a slap in the face. It is a choice. I know that I didn't take all of the advice I was given by family, friends, co-workers over the years. Most times it worked out...sometimes not. Just because I didn't take the advice doesn't mean I don't respect where the advice came from - just that I didn't agree.

Finally, I say again. Fashion is a personal thing. I may not like the way someone is wearing something, but it doesn't make it wrong...just not my preference based on my taste/values. (This excludes the rubber chicken sporran, Grant - sorry! )

[Jock Scot]

Asking for advice,listening,considering it and then choosing to ignore it is everyone's right. What is rather tiresome,sometimes here, is the way the advice is asked for, given, and if it is not what the enquirer is wanting to hear there is this tirade that flies about,containing the words, traditionalists, kilt police, rights,I will wear what I want ,where and when I choose, non conforming,this is the USA we can do what we like, and on it goes.Ho hum.

[macwilkin]

Asking for advice,listening,considering it and then choosing to ignore it is everyone's right. What is rather tiresome,sometimes here, is the way the advice is asked for, given, and if it is not what the enquirer is wanting to hear there is this tirade that flies about,containing the words, traditionalists, kilt police, rights,I will wear what I want ,where and when I choose, non conforming,this is the USA we can do what we like, and on it goes.Ho hum.

HEAR, HEAR!

Todd

[pdcorlis]

What Todd said...

[Panache]

Asking for advice,listening,considering it and then choosing to ignore it is everyone's right. What is rather tiresome,sometimes here, is the way the advice is asked for, given, and if it is not what the enquirer is wanting to hear there is this tirade that flies about,containing the words, traditionalists, kilt police, rights,I will wear what,where and when I choose, non conforming,this is the USA we can do what we like, and on it goes.Ho hum.

Jock,

If you don't mind may I use us and my tweed hat as an example of a situation where advice was sought given, considered, and decided against?




To All,

I recently purchased a very nice wool hat by Kangol and wrote a thread about it here:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/a...x.html?t=42533

Now I value Jock Scot's opinion highly and really wanted his feedback on my new chapeau.

From a traditional standpoint, from a Scot, who lives in the actual highlands of Scotland, who has grown up around highland attire...

I missed the mark!

Now I was a little disappointed that my new purchase wasn't traditional.

However I was very grateful for the honest feedback and told Jock so.

Now this hat is the most comfortable I have ever owned. Looking at myself in the mirror I liked the look*.

I accept that it wasn't a traditional look but decided that I would wear it anyone because it was a look I liked (and thus began a string of jokes regarding my hat between Jock Scot, myself. and others)

I asked for advice, I received it, and based on that information I made a choice.

No disrespect was given to Jock Scot and I was thankful for knowing a little more than I did the day before.

With this information my next hat purchase will likely be more traditional. (I just saw this past weekend that Kangol makes a modern version of the classic deerstalker! It is on my wish list)

There is a happy medium to be found in highland attire that is respectful for tradition but allows individuality.

The key is both knowledge and creativity

Cheers All



Jamie


* If it was good enough for Sir Sean Connery as Indiana Jones' Dad...

[Jock Scot]

No worries Jamie.

No about this hat of yours! I am breeding a team of super hat eating Scottish moths and once I have them fit enough to nip across the Atlantic and then be able to read a map to, er, um, er California, then expect the end of THAT hat.

[Weasel Mender]

True freedom is informed action while accepting responsibility for said action, i.e the "Hat" issue with Panache and Jock Scot. Without knowing what rules we are bending, breaking, or heaving into history's dumpster we are not acting as free men but practicing uninformed folly and will reap the rewards of a fool. Freedom begins when you tell Mrs. Grundy to go fly a kite, but you must know who she is and why she is chapped with your actions.

Weasel

[ccga3359]

No worries Jamie.

No about this hat of yours! I am breeding a team of super hat eating Scottish moths and once I have them fit enough to nip across the Atlantic and then be able to read a map to, er, um, er California, then expect the end of THAT hat.

Rubber is safe, right? I mean those little buggers won't touch my sporran.

[Panache]

Rubber is safe, right? I mean those little buggers won't touch my sporran.

Grant,

Even insect life have some taste.

They, like everyone else are not going to go anywhere near your sporran!

Cheers

Jamie

[kiltedsawyer]

As has been stated earlier in this thread, it appears that what we are talking about maybe closer to guidelines or conventions, perhaps even standards if you will. As such they are simply in place to show us how far or how near our mode of dress relates to said standard. IMHO the kilt is very much a modern garment, for certainly when kilted it is not my intent to convince onlookers that I just stepped out of the 18th century. I am happy to leave that to the Ren-Fairs, re-enactors, and the Halloween constumers. Whether it's a traditional kilt or a utilikilt or anything in between, I wear what I think I look good in, and invite others to do the same.
Respectfully,
David