traditional vs. classic

[davidlpope]

If in the realm of traditional/classic Highland apparel there is a continuum ranging from historical to modern, where is the conceptual division?

Examples are welcome but I think I'm trying to elicit more of a guiding principle... as a young, North-American man, I lean towards what seems modern and away from what seems historical.

I'm not sure that I can define it, but I think I can recognize it when I see it (apologies to Justice Stewart).


Classic Traditional Highland Daywear:



Modern Traditional Highland Daywear:



Modern Traditional Highland Evening Wear on left/ Classic Traditional Highland Evening Wear on right




To summarize:

Classic traditional highland dress = what most chiefs wear.

daywear: plain tweed jackets/waistcoats, jacobite cantle/ animal maks sporran, lovat blue, bottle green, claret hose
evening wear: Montrose/regulation, etc. doublets, diced or Argyll hose, hair sporrans, buckle brogues



Modern traditional highland dress = what competing pipers wear/ what is readily available from retailers.

daywear: black Argyll with white metal buttons, white or black hose, black leather sporran, ghillie brogues
evening wear: Prince Charlie, white or black hose, common rectangular white metal buckle kilt belt, fuzzy rabbit fur sporran with common white metal cantle, ghillie brogues

Cordially,

David