traditional vs. classic

[OC Richard]

...no doubt that the respected Chief of each clan would want his men that sat for the portrait to look their best in all of their finery.

This gives the impression that all the men are dressed in elaborate Highland costume. Many are, but many others are in quite plain dress.

Of the 56 kilted figures, 24 are in the "Celtic" jackets so popular at that time, but 21 are in plain "day" jackets.

Absolutely plain grey tweed day jackets, plain Balmorals and Glengarries, plain hose, and ordinary Oxford shoes are not what comes to mind when we speak of these men being dressed in "finery".

[creagdhubh]

This gives the impression that all the men are dressed in elaborate Highland costume. Many are, but many others are in quite plain dress.

Of the 56 kilted figures, 24 are in the "Celtic" jackets so popular at that time, but 21 are in plain "day" jackets.

Absolutely plain grey tweed day jackets, plain Balmorals and Glengarries, plain hose, and ordinary Oxford shoes are not what comes to mind when we speak of these men being dressed in "finery".

Come on now my good man, you are preaching to the choir here! Of course not all of the Highlanders featured in the book are dressed in finery, and you are correct, some are indeed dressed in normal day to day attire, I know that. I am speaking of the 24 in the so called "Celtic" jackets (doublets of many kind, many of them looking like today's regulation doublet) you speak of. Excuse me for giving that kind of "impression" that all the men are dressed in elaborate costume-and they are not "costumes" in my opinion. I have studied that book for a long time, as I am sure you have as well. Cheers!