Where to wear clan badge...

[JSFMACLJR]

We Scots have obviously forgotten that it is Texas, and those who live there, and not the Scots in Scotland, who are the arbiters of good taste in Highland fashions. We have all been misled into thinking that because we, in Scotland, have worn kilt and plaid somewhat continuously for more than 200 years, that the way we dressed, as a matter of course, not costume, was correct when, according to the wiZARD of OZ, we have been badly misled by the examples of our forefathers and peers (and Chiefs and Peers). How foolish have we been? Let us immediately forsake our errant ways and dress as they do.

Let us wrap ourselves in Lone Star tartan, clad our feet in cowboy boots, put on tee-shirts with witty sayings and festoon them with medals earned by others than ourselves, and stow our dignity in armadillo sporrans along with a set of socket wrenches, our cell phone, a meerschaum pipe, the keys to our SUV, a compass, and the Micheline Guide to Dining at American Cultural Events . And thus attired, as "Proper Scotsmen", attend the Renn Fairs, Octoberfests, Quanza celebrations, Sons of Italy clam bakes, Olde English Dickens Christmases down at the shopping mall, and the YMCA Halloween Party. Oh yes, and drop in at the "celtic festival" where one can indulge in more food-on-a-stick and blend in perfectly with the rest of the crowd who are there to celebrate their Scottish heritage on their way to next week's Ludafisk Festival and Chili Cook Off sponsored by the Bulgarian Friendship League as part of National Pirate Week.

Or we can stick to our quaint ways, flawed as they are, and consider the source of sartorial criticism.

Scott,
This is one of the BEST POSTS EVER!!! You are the consumate wordsmith, and I hope your post strikes a chord with some.

[sfb]

off topic, but those two fellows' outfits display some interesting combos of plaid/stripe/check/tartan, fashion-wise.

Ah, you see, Scotland's a land of power shortages - mainly because the English stole our oil - so you've got to remember that in the winter, we sometimes have no option but to get dressed in the dark.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Ah, you see, Scotland's a land of power shortages - mainly because the English stole our oil - so you've got to remember that in the winter, we sometimes have no option but to get dressed in the dark.

That's really funny!

[Jock Scot]

Ah, you see, Scotland's a land of power shortages - mainly because the English stole our oil - so you've got to remember that in the winter, we sometimes have no option but to get dressed in the dark.

Yes it is funny, even if it is not entirely accurate!

[sfb]

Fair enough. I'll give you "partly" instead of "mainly".

I'm square behind Zardoz on the bit I quoted though!

[Macman]

I'm square behind Zardoz on the bit I quoted though!

I am too. I understand that this is how many gentlemen dress, and I applaud the history, individuality and style that go into it. It's not something that I personally could pull off, though.

[Jock Scot]

I am too. I understand that this is how many gentlemen dress, and I applaud the history, individuality and style that go into it. It's not something that I personally could pull off, though.

I am sorry, but I think you chaps worry too much. Perhaps its because the kilt is not your national attire and you just don't have the full confidence to wear our Scots attire as we do?

[Jock Scot]

Scott,
This is one of the BEST POSTS EVER!!! You are the consumate wordsmith, and I hope your post strikes a chord with some.

It is indeed a great post, forgive me if I doubt that the message will be received, yet alone understood, by those that the post was intended to reach.

[English Bloke]

Ah, you see, Scotland's a land of power shortages - mainly because the English stole our oil - so you've got to remember that in the winter, we sometimes have no option but to get dressed in the dark.

'Ere... wait a minute. I'm paying over a pound a litre for my Scottish oil. I've never stolen any in me life!! It weren't me wot knicked it!

[ForresterModern]

It is indeed a great post, forgive me if I doubt that the message will be received, yet alone understood, by those that the post was intended to reach.

Jock, it hit solid on some of us I am sure, myself included. When reading Mac's post I was laughing aloud about every fifth word as he trounced the stereotypical American kiltwearer soundly into the highland peat face down. I too initially was thinking like Zardoz, hmmm stripes with plaids, plaids with plaids with plaids, hmmm. Then I thought about xmarks motto #2 (motto #1 being---no pictures it didn't happen, of course)---but motto number 2 is IMHO----do what you think looks best. Obviously these gentlemen feel comfortable and happy with their attire and not worried about what others think, dressed simply yet in quality goods worn appropriately in proper scottish tradition. They wear their badges, feathers, and floral sprigs correctly and with pride, but not an overt cock of the rock style.

This will bring new thoughts to mind next time I go looking in my closet for something to wear above my kilt rather than trying so hard to mix and match an "outfit". More of a put it on, wear it properly and with respect, and have a go at the world without a worry about it. Thanks guys for the eye-opener, both about native highland dress attitude, as well as about how we 'mericans look to the kin across the pond with the telescopes and binoculars pointed our direction. Mac that really was a gas.