This was recently photoed at Eilean Donan

**Tobus** · 27th April 10, 10:33 AM

I'm curious about his shoes. It almost looks like he took an old pair of Doc Martens, cut the tongue out (and possibly the tops around the ankles) and laced them up as ghillie brogues. The tread looks very modern to me, although I admit it's hard to see on my screen.

**Brian K** · 27th April 10, 10:49 AM

Perhaps we need a section for "Hysterical" Highland Attire.

**creagdhubh** · 27th April 10, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by paulhenry

I thought we were all supposed to be careful not to make fun of people who couldn't defend themselves?

Not making fun, just being critical of what the old chap is wearing. We are not dishonoring him. It's like critiquing a style of painting.

**creagdhubh** · 27th April 10, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I'm curious about his shoes. It almost looks like he took an old pair of Doc Martens, cut the tongue out (and possibly the tops around the ankles) and laced them up as ghillie brogues. The tread looks very modern to me, although I admit it's hard to see on my screen.

Thay may be the 'doc marten' style ghillie brogues, that naturally come with a horrid, in my opinion, chunky sole. Some pipers prefer them.

**Paul Henry** · 27th April 10, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

....Not making fun, just being critical of what the old chap is wearing. We are not dishonoring him. It's like critiquing a style of painting.

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

I have seen the same thing Richard-it's disgusting.

I'm sorry that's not a critique, and to be fair a painting never has a right of reply, a person might have.

I'm not keen on the look, it's got so many mixed styles that it comes off as an unhappy amalgam.

Some time ago we had a Do and Don't thread , and it got so out of hand with personal attacks that it was stopped, long after it should have been.

Most of us on here can spot style or dress errors and inconsistencies, I am only suggesting that we should try to be kind, a velvet glove not an iron fist, that's all

**Monkey@Arms** · 27th April 10, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

What a strange costume!

I see that sort of thing at US Highland Games all the time, the strangest possible combinations, mixing up both time periods and modes of dress.

There's the mixing of time periods: the Prince Charlie and leather day sporran, both of which as far as I've been able to tell are early 20th century in origin, combined with 18th century style shirt and belt.

And the mixing of various modes of Highland Dress: a Prince Charlie worn with plain leather Day sporran and daywear Lovat Balmoral.

Actually the stuff around here is stanger, for example an 18th century Great Kilt worn with Native American moccasins, t-shirt with a huge clan crest printed on it, a Victorian diced Glengarry, ornate Victorian dirk, 18th century two-handed sword, topped off with the requisite huge sunglasses and mobile phone.

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

I have seen the same thing Richard-it's disgusting.

See it all the time at games, and it bothers me not at all. I save my disgust for things that matter, intolerance for instance.

Your disgusting is someone else's fun. Live and let live.

Best regards,

Jake

**Semiomniscient** · 27th April 10, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by Monkey@Arms

See it all the time at games, and it bothers me not at all. I save my disgust for things that matter, intolerance for instance.

Your disgusting is someone else's fun. Live and let live.

Best regards,

Jake

I think a discussion forum is a good place to discuss matters of proper wearing of Scottish attire. I did suggest the blurring of the face to allow for anonymity. And I can see where this can get derisive and lose the constructive spirit in which this was originally posted.

The thing is, this outfit is disastrous on many levels. We wouldn't really bat an eye if we made fun of some odd fashion style on the run-way. But this is a bit different as it appears to be done out of ignorance rather than "making a statement". In which case, criticism of it appears as a personal attack.

A lot of people, myself included, feel attached to the kilt, and strive very hard to make it acceptable in the general community. We seek to educate the public in many of our societies. When we see others making the kilt look foolish, we believe we ought to speak up and educate. This can be done tactfully or poorly. There will always be both. So the idea of "live and let live" doesn't always sit well with others.

**Bugbear** · 27th April 10, 01:22 PM

As a point of reference, would you all have a problem with someone wearing a top-of-the-knee length tunic, hose and a tartan cloak of some sort, all in place of what ever kind of kilt this is? Lein and brat, perhaps.

Just wondering; no desire to debate Highland attire.

* Forum logged me out when I tried to post this. I take it as a sign from the forum gods that it was wrong to have posted it.

**Monkey@Arms** · 27th April 10, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Semiomniscient

I think a discussion forum is a good place to discuss matters of proper wearing of Scottish attire. I did suggest the blurring of the face to allow for anonymity. And I can see where this can get derisive and lose the constructive spirit in which this was originally posted.

The thing is, this outfit is disastrous on many levels. We wouldn't really bat an eye if we made fun of some odd fashion style on the run-way. But this is a bit different as it appears to be done out of ignorance rather than "making a statement". In which case, criticism of it appears as a personal attack.

A lot of people, myself included, feel attached to the kilt, and strive very hard to make it acceptable in the general community. We seek to educate the public in many of our societies. When we see others making the kilt look foolish, we believe we ought to speak up and educate. This can be done tactfully or poorly. There will always be both. So the idea of "live and let live" doesn't always sit well with others.

Given that this was posted to the Historical Highland Attire section, I think we can all agree that the outfit was anachronistic, and that the PC looked particularly out of place. I also applaud your suggestion to modify the picture, since the wearer did not post the picture and ask for our comments. My "live and let live" comment was particularly directed to the idea that its "disgusting" for people to wear anachronistic garb at festivals. That is an opinion that I do not share. (Actually I hold lots of opinions that I choose not to share on these forums, lest I offend those whose opinions may differ. Goose-Gander.)

Best regards,

Jake

**Tobus** · 27th April 10, 02:24 PM

A lot of people, myself included, feel attached to the kilt, and strive very hard to make it acceptable in the general community. We seek to educate the public in many of our societies. When we see others making the kilt look foolish, we believe we ought to speak up and educate.

In this particular instance, though, it's not that he's making the kilt look "foolish". To the average non-kilted person, he probably looks like what they'd expect a kilted reenactor to look like. They don't know that a PC doesn't go with a two-handed claymore.

His outfit is only disastrous to those who know and care about historical correctness.

At least he's not wearing white hose!