Wearing both ancient and modern

[Panache]

Jock and MoR,

The matter has been dealt with.

Let the ladies and Gentlemen of XMTS feel free to continue their discussion here without further interruptions.

Cheers

Jamie

[Jock Scot]

Thank you for that. Now! Where were we?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I suppose this means I'll have to ask my mates in the Royal Highland Loamshire's (the Fighten' Nancy Boys) to stand down. Oh well. Back to the fun stuff!

[Jock Scot]

I suppose this means I'll have to ask my mates in the Royal Highland Loamshire's (the Fighten' Nancy Boys) to stand down. Oh well. Back to the fun stuff!

I was nearly ready to lead "The Gin and Tonics" over the top too.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I say. How does one get seconded to your mob?

[Jock Scot]

I say. How does one get seconded to your mob?

Dead easy old chap. Just bring the C O a case of gin.

[Panache]

Dead easy old chap. Just bring the C O a case of gin.

I suppose the just empty bottles wouldn't count?

Cheers

Jamie

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

What Jock Scot says here makes a lot of sense:

Perhaps a spot of explaining may help those that are having difficulty understanding why we Scots are not at all bothered with all this matching up nonsense. In this day and age anyone,say in the USA, who has the cash and the will,can go and buy your "instant" higland attire. So to the newcomer it seems right that your clanX tartan kilt,will match your clanX day plaid and on it goes and of course from a newcomers point of view,that makes complete sense.

Now I have to admit I'd never given this much thought before, but the broad based popularity of wearing the kilt in North America is a relatively new thing-- certainly post WWII and probably something that didn't really get going until the 1960s, '70s, or '80s.

That said, the North American "new boys" are probably doing exactly what our umpty-ump grandfathers in Scotland did in 1822-- going crazy trying to look "right". Meaning this in the nicest possible way, an "instant" Scotsman in North America probably feels a far greater need to "look" highland than those of us who (often) make do with Uncle Bill's old kilt.

Now why is that? Because as Jock Scot has sagely pointed out:

...We have been surrounded by tartan for the best part of 200 years.In that time clan tartans can,did and still do change and that's before you get into the modern,muted,weathered,ancient stuff.To us frugal Scots why throw away a perfectly serviceable plaid that great grandfather wore in 1890? It may not match the current clan tartan,but it is a clan tartan nevertheless, it most certainly will not match the colours of the current clan tartan because of age fading, storage failings, different dyes,different mills and maybe a completely different pattern,nevertheless it is a tartan of the same clan. If I buy a new kilt tomorrow in my clan tartan I will have no hesitation in wearing my father's,uncle's,Great Grandfathers highland plaid as it will be a tartan of the same clan, and almost certainly,in fact I guarantee, it will not match the tartan of my new kilt.I rather like it that way!

So, if you are a newly minted "kiltie" don't worry about matching shoes to belts, or what colour balmoral best compliments the colour of your kilt, or fretting about mixing ancient with modern setts. Instead, wear you kilt with respect, don't treat it like a costume, and above all, be comfortable in who you are when you wear it.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I suppose the just empty bottles wouldn't count?

Cheers

Jamie

Enlist this man as a corporal. Then put him on report.

[macwilkin]

Now I have to admit I'd never given this much thought before, but kilt wearing in North America is a relatively new thing-- certainly post WWII and probably something that didn't really get going until the 1960s, '70s, or '80s.

That said, the North American "new boys" are probably doing exactly what our umpty-ump grandfathers in Scotland did in 1822-- going crazy trying to look "right". Meaning this in the nicest possible way, an "instant" Scotsman in North America probably feels a far greater need to "look" highland than those of us who (often) make do with Uncle Bill's old kilt.

I can't say I agree with you on the first point, Scott. There were a number of kilted gents who were members of the Order of Scottish Clans, various and sundry Caledonian/St. Andrew's and Burns Clubs, masonic lodges, and militia units (79th NY) that wore kilts during the mid-to-late 19th century onwards.

I daresay the popularity has increased since the 1960s, but there were kilts here.

Regards,

Todd