I think this place has developed entirely too much angst...

[ChubRock]

Nicely done Matt! Now does anyone know where I can get a pair of tye-dye hose to go with my hippie sandals, workman UK and plain white tank top? No rules right?

[Scotus]

A large part of being "polite" is being concerned for those around you and dressing appropriately for each situation. Showing up to a black/white tie affair in a kilt with boots and a t-shirt would be very rude. You're saying, "You people aren't important enough for me to care how I dress." That's the reason it's important to know what is appropriate in various situations with Highland attire. If we take the attitude that we can simply wear what we want, we end up needlessly offending others. That's why it's important to post in threads about what is appropriate dress for given situations. Otherwise this forum would simply become a place where people post:

"Nice kilt," "Looking good," or "Wear what you want."

[Jack Daw]

Aye, there have been a few people sniping here lately and OK I must confess I have risen to the bait and retaliated on a few occasions. Constructive and friendly criticism of one's outfits is always welcome, but the my way is the only correct way attitude is not nice. Sometimes a forum post can come over as insulting whereas if you could meet the person face to face you might find the other guy to be a jovial well-meaning friend.

Well said.

[KFCarter]

As to the thread's title...

I'd have to respectfully disagree. Having and expressing opinions about style, tradition, etc. doesn't equal angst.

Now, being overly concerned with someone else's opinion about you... that could be considered angst.

One of the reason's we're here is to share opinions. Take away what you want from the exchange: information, education, indifference... but I think "angst" is optional.

[Lyle1]

As a relative newcomer to this board who came here specifically looking for information on how to wear the kilt without looking like a moron, I have to say I think the forum is well-balanced. There is enough traditionalism here to offer good advice on the 'right' way to wear it, while there is also a broad tolerance for modern/nontraditional kilt wearing. Folks can choose either style and still feel like they fit in here. That's a good thing. I'm an admin on several different internet boards ranging from political themes to specific themes (collectible firearms). And I've seen what happens when the purists overrun the place. That hasn't happened here, nor does it seem likely to anytime soon. So from a fairly new kiltie, I would like to say bravo to the folks on this board. You're doing a fine job. We new guys actually appreciate the constructive criticism, because usually the reason we're here is to learn from those who know what they're talking about. If we were just going to wear what we like without any regard to what's proper, we wouldn't be here. It's a lot easier to hear corrections on kilt-wearing mistakes over a computer than in person while in the middle of a social function.

I am also new to this forum, and I have mostly been observing and figuring out the lay of the land. I am currently skimming through the older, closed threads, many of which are informative and/or enjoyable. I am starting to recognize a few forum members and their attitudes. The majority seem to have a desire to be helpful and offer their opinions with the intent to provide a variety of choices. There are however, those who quote rules that were often created by Victorian authorities who were trying to make a living teaching the newly rich how to fit in. Some others vehemently condemn anything new or out of the ordinary. Who cares if a man wears a tartan sash if he is wearing it to acknowledge his heritage? If you don't like it, don't wear it! Last summer, at a highland game, I saw hoards of young men wearing "modern" kilts (which I never understood until then) and some wearing tartan kilts with flip-flops! I was impressed by their youthful enthusiasm, and I thought the flip-flops made sense in the rain! If we are to promote the wearing of the kilt as functional clothing rather than as a ceremonial relic, we need to be accepting of they way other people choose to incorporate the kilt into their personal wardrobe. I am even thinking about buying a polyester kilt! I recently shocked a kilted friend when I told him that I could not see myself wearing a PC, for formal occasions. With great authority, he informed me that I would not be able to attend black tie events in a kilt unless I wore a PC. He was totally unable to accept the concept of other jackets that would be appropriate for formal wear with a kilt, and I think we have all seen several threads on this forum that have provided sensible suggestions. For me, I think a black Argyll jacket, maybe in silk, would suite me! I think I have progressed to a full rant, and I assure you that was not my intent.

[dfmacliam]

I understand the main point of the thread.. There is no one way to wear a kilt... one only has to look at the picture thread and see the examples of appropriate kilt wear for just about any situation..

You will see folks wearing regular socks with trainers, on very casual settings.. You will see jackets worn with open collar shirts, on the appropriate business casual settings, proper day wear, when the situation is called for, and even proper formal wear..

One thing I have noticed, is our Scottish members, living in Scotland, are often the ones who are advocating, that less is more..

It's really simple, as I see it.. Dress as you would when you wear p@nts... Going hiking? Going to church? Going to a dance? Going to a black tie affair? Dress and accessorize as you would for each of these events... It's just as easy as that....

The same don'ts apply too.. There is no sense of wearing the items that looks like you bought them at a half off sale at the local dollar store, they look simply tacky, and do nothing but give fuel for fodder, on the what not to wear circuit.. lol

[Geoff Withnell]

IMHO, when men start stressing out over whether the color of their socks accurately matches one of the three primary colors of the tartan pattern they are wearing...

When men come here asking for advice and walk away seriously worried that they're doing something WRONG and thereby are being BAD PEOPLE by offending hundreds of years of tradition etc. etc. etc.

IMHO...

...we are taking all this stuff way too seriously.

Strap the thing on. The pleats go in back. Put on a shirt, some socks and shoes and go be a man and live your life. Be polite to as many people as you can, ignore those you can't be polite to, speak ill of as few people as you can stomach, love the people you love, stand up for what you believe in and make a positive contribution to society.

IMHO...Nobody is going to give a rip at your funeral, if your pocket hankerchief matched the primary colors of your bluidy tartan, or if the striped thing wrapped around your hips is in the ancient, weathered, muted, or modern colors.

Jeez.

Spoken like a man!

Geoff Withnell

[MuffinMan]

I just can't get the image of flashes with sandals out of my mind. In some ways I think we should all take a pic of ourselves in this state of dress, it would be a hoot.
mm

[Jock Scot]

If we accept that a T shirt and jeans are not acceptable for certain situations and, for example, a BBQ on the beach, would not be the place for formal wear, then all will be fairly plain sailing. Advice asked for, and advice gently given, is all that is needed. If the above is not accepted then, well, its a free world for most of us and most of us are able to make a choice.

[Drac]

Being new to the kilt wearing community & forum I hope I express correctly.

While a kilt is not a costume it is a fashion. I would like to learn the rules of proper dress of a fashion first before I start breaking them. To wear a denim kilt and T to a Burns dinner would be as out of place as wearing a PC with all the lace and bells to a rock concert. Just like learning to not wear black socks with sandals (I know, I know, I will start a bunch of cracks on that) I've need to find some guidance and as long as it is respectfully and freely given there is nothing wrong with traditionalists taking a stand for their points.

While I don't want to worry so much that I run into the above mentioned angst (I get enough of that from the Twilight series) I do want to make sure that like my military uniform I do wear it with pride whether it's khaki or Lamont weathered.

Jim