Wearing both ancient and modern

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

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

Todd, I was speaking in very broad terms and yes, kilts have been won by a few traditionalists and die hards (and the odd military unit) since before the founding of the Republic.

I probably should have said something more like "the popularity of wearing the kilt is a relatively new thing in North America", and I'll probably edit my post to reflect this... in fact, I just have.

[macwilkin]

Todd, I was speaking in very broad terms and yes, kilts have been won by a few traditionalists and die hards (and the odd military unit) since before the founding of the Republic.

I probably should have said something more like "the popularity of wearing the kilt is a relatively new thing in North America", and I'll probably edit my post to reflect this... in fact, I just have.

Great minds think alike, Scott.

T.

[Bugbear]

All I know is that I just took the kilt pin, it was my high school mascot, off my kilt, and replaced it with the four inch safetypin-like blanket pin that was my first kilt pin.

And yes, the clasp end is pointing downward.

I don't have a shoulder plaid of any sort, so I guess I can't worry about that.

* A little while ago, I got a feel of what it is like to have a tartan. I think I understand better now about the feelings behind the clan tartans and why they should be respected. *

[Jock Scot]

I suppose the just empty bottles wouldn't count?

Cheers

Jamie

Well, one thing is for sure you WILL be white washing the coal,peeling spuds,cutting the grass in front of the the Officer's mess with a pair of scissors for years to come , if empty gin bottles arrive! A word of warning the CO is an absolute martinet and a touchy old so and so, at the best of times, but he's quite nice really after a stiff gin or three.

[piperdbh]

Is it fair to say that most of what we now consider Highland attire was born of necessity and functionality, and to a large degree on the resources and skill available to the local weaver, and then over time the better or more useful components of said attire held on and were made popular by much usage?

When we newly minted kilties sally forth to buy a bran spankin' new kit, we want everything to match because we've been conditioned to think everything needs to match. Did our forebears have any such thought, or did they wear what they had, regardless of whether it matched or not, because it was handy and they were cold?

[Jock Scot]

Is it fair to say that most of what we now consider Highland attire was born of necessity and functionality, and to a large degree on the resources and skill available to the local weaver, and then over time the better or more useful components of said attire held on and were made popular by much usage?

When we newly minted kilties sally forth to buy a bran spankin' new kit, we want everything to match because we've been conditioned to think everything needs to match. Did our forebears have any such thought, or did they wear what they had, regardless of whether it matched or not, because it was handy and they were cold?

Probably a bit of both. Before the "Tartan Revolution" in 1822 it is generally accepted that there were few actual Clan tartans, so most people wore whatever the local weaver could produce and yes to keep warm. I can quite see that there were plenty of "newly minted" Scots kilties after the 1820's. Fashion, better cloth mills, Scottishness, etc., ran rife and most of all the "newly found idea" of clan tartans took a hold, so apart from keeping warm the new kiltie must have had an opportunity for everything to match.Just like new kilties of today.The difference being that in Scotland we have had 200 years to mix and not match too well, assorted tartans of clans,for the reasons that I have discussed earlier in this thread.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Is it fair to say that most of what we now consider Highland attire was born of necessity and functionality, and to a large degree on the resources and skill available to the local weaver, and then over time the better or more useful components of said attire held on and were made popular by much usage?

That pretty much sums it up!

When we newly minted kilties sally forth to buy a bran spankin' new kit, we want everything to match because we've been conditioned to think everything needs to match. Did our forebears have any such thought,

Absolutely. The renaissance of Highland attire happened in 1822, and everybody rushed out and bought "new stuff" for the king's visit to Scotland. And they were at great pains to see that it "matched", or at least worked as a (sometimes dubious) harmonious "whole". Later, as individual Scots moved away, or began to prosper, or developed a sense of "national identity", they continued to buy themselves brand new "highland" attire. As bits and pieces wore out they were replaced, but without too much concern about matching colours, etc. The Scots are great folk for tradition, and (at least in the Highlands) the age of a kilt often equates with gentility, to which most Scots seem to aspire. There is great pride in wearing "grandfather's kilt", even (or especially) if it is slightly faded or just a tad worn looking.

If taken care of Highland attire will last for decades, if not centuries; out grown kilts, doublets, and other paraphernalia are always carefully packed away to be handed down to future generations.

...or did they wear what they had, regardless of whether it matched or not, because it was handy and they were cold?

In those households where the kilt was an item of everyday apparel, and by the end of the 19th century these would have been the poorest of folk, then keeping warm probably would have out-weighed any other consideration. It would have been a matter of survival, not fashion.

I'd suggest that if you are kitting yourself out for the first time, get everything to match. Later, as you add bits and bobs to your wardrobe, try to get things to match, but don't worry if they don't.

[Nighthawk]

So then, would it be OK for me to not match tartan hose with my kilt and fly plaid? For example, Isle of Skye hose with a Dress MacLeod kilt?



Just kidding- trying to throw a wrench in the works here.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Is that an SAE, or Whitworth wrench you're tossing?

[Bugbear]

Adds character. Maybe a little bit like old battle worn flags...

Ehh... the old tartan and bonnet, not the wrench.