The Importance of knowing the Rules of Kilted Fashion

[SteveB]

Grant asked where it is written..... In the post above his!

IMHO When I wear a tartan kilt, I try to wear it with RESPECT to its origins in Scotland, and through the comments of Jock Scot, Honoured Member CajunScot, Chef, etc. I have some idea of what that should be. I had posted a picture of myself at a black tie event in a kilt. The hat worn to the event was a Glengarry. As I was indoors for the whole of the event, no hat was worn. The post right after mine with the picture was by Jamie, with the comment that it would have looked better had I left the Argyle unbuttoned. I agree, and thank Jamie for the comment. This event was on this side of the pond with a condition that all gents must keep their coats buttoned. I had no problem with abiding by the event rules, and the event people had no problem with my being in kilted formal attire.
When I wear a contemporary kilt. (Utilikilt, Amerikilt, or solid colour kilt) I follow the more American informal style that has grown up around this form of dress. Some of that has evolved due to the American style kilt wearers wishing to more closely emulate the heritage that our Scot ancestors brought to this land many years ago.
Many X Marks members have come to the forum from the world of the Utilikilt, and have become more traditional tartan kilt wearers. Some wear the UK for everyday, and save the tartan for formal occasions. This indicates that as a community that respects its fellow members opinions, action is then based on information.
The World at one time required months to complete a simple communication. This thread proves that the whole world is now a mouse click away. Within a very short period , citizens of France, Japan, Scotland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States can hold respectful discussions with instant coordination and result.
I am so with Jock on the arrogance of many of my fellow citizens when traveling abroad. My travels have found me cringing when around many U.S. Americans. I would rather travel with Canadian Americans. Before making a visit to a country, I read up on its laws, rules, culture and etiquette. I try my best to honour the community that I visit. I hope to be welcomed to return in the future.
Even with the modern computer age, we of the U.S. impose upon others by expecting the spelling to be in that strange language from the United States rather than the English Language.
I bring all this up as it is the same respect we must show to each other, each other's culture, and as members of this great forum, respect to the traditions of Highland attire.
Respectfully

[davedove]

Wow! Go away for a few days and I come back to a fifteen page thread!

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

I'll have to agree with Jamie here, and even expand on it. Even traditions change over time, or at least one must pick an era when dressing traditionally. This even happens in uniforms - how many of the world's military uniforms are the same as they were even fifty years ago.

I think when the "traditionalists" speak here, they are refering to what is known as traditional in the current day and all the advice must be taken that way.

As Jamie says, someone will try something different as time passes, and the successful attempts will be blended into what is known as "traditional."

My own philosophy is to try to use the concepts of color coordination and good taste to guide my choices. I may not always be successful, but I do try.

[Fougasse]

I think, I may be wrong, that it was Descartes who said "Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools". This has been my guiding philosophy for many a year however, to break or bend a rule, you first have to know why, how or when a rule is observed.

[Jock Scot]

I think, I may be wrong, that it was Descartes who said "Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools". This has been my guiding philosophy for many a year however, to break or bend a rule, you first have to know why, how or when a rule is observed.

My father used to use those wise words of Descartes(?) and I cannot see how anyone in the kilt world can take exception to those words.

[Ancienne Alliance]

My father used to use those wise words of Descartes(?) and I cannot see how anyone in the kilt world can take exception to those words.

...unless of course, one deliberately wants to look like a lemon .

This is one of the different aspects of freedom.


Best,

Robert

[Jock Scot]

...unless of course, one deliberately wants to look like a lemon .

This is one of the different aspects of freedom.


Best,

Robert

Thank you! That is the very point I have been trying to make!

[Ancienne Alliance]

...or as my father used to say : " You can't wake a man who is pretending to sleep."

[ccga3359]

...or as my father used to say : " You can't wake a man who is pretending to sleep."

But you can pretend to wake a man who is pretending to sleep, or you could just rifle through his wallet. That'll get his attention.

[Ancienne Alliance]

(snip)...or you could just ***** through his wallet...(snip)

Grant,

Maybe should you use another verb in order to avoid all misinterpretation.


Best,


Robert

[gilmore]

This quote is attributed to WWII British pilot, Sir Douglas Bader. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Bader, which cites a different original source, "'In Reach for the Sky,' this quote is attributed to Harry Day, the Royal Flying Corps First World War fighter ace."

It's also attributed to Oscar Wilde, but I couldn't find where. I Googled, and looked in the Oxford Book of Quotations before I realized I have too much time on my hands.