What is Traditional Highland Dress?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Being traditionally dressed is as much about knowing what is not appropriate attire, as it is about knowing what is appropriate attire. Unfortunately the "appropriate" line gets blurred by many in North America, and there is usually a weak attempt to justify that blurring on the grounds of distance in time or space from Scotland. The most shallow of all arguments, it seems to me, is that one which goes something like "we're not in Scotland so we can wear what we want." Not only does this line of protest seem to display an ignorance of what are the accepted standards in the wearing of what has become the Scottish mode of national dress, but its hollow arrogance seems to be as largely based on insecurity as much as it is a lack of social understanding.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

So what is the ordinary American to do?

Dress as the ordinary Highland Scot would dress.

[Jock Scot]

Being traditionally dressed is as much about knowing what is not appropriate attire, as it is about knowing what is appropriate attire. Unfortunately the "appropriate" line gets blurred by many in North America, and there is usually a weak attempt to justify that blurring on the grounds of distance in time or space from Scotland. The most shallow of all arguments, it seems to me, is that one which goes something like "we're not in Scotland so we can wear what we want." Not only does this line of protest seem to display an ignorance of what are the accepted standards in the wearing of what has become the Scottish mode of national dress, but its hollow arrogance seems to be as largely based on insecurity as much as it is a lack of social understanding.

Yes absolutely!

[Jock Scot]

Dress as the ordinary Highland Scot would dress.

Yes absolutely!

[Lyle1]

Dress as the ordinary Highland Scot would dress.

Except, hasn't it been mentioned in several discussions on this forum that the "ordinary highland scot" rarely wears a kilt?

I think that you are coming very close to taking traditional highland dress into the realm of historical reenactment, which is fine for those who want to do that. The thing is, though, that you need to recognize that the rules only apply to those who want to assume the highland dress role. The rest of us can wear whatever we feel is appropriate. I am not saying that wearing what you feel is "correct" traditional attire is wrong, but it is wrong to criticize and/or ridicule kilted folk who don't dress by your rules (and you do of course know that there are not really rules on how to dress).

[Jock Scot]

Except, hasn't it been mentioned in several discussions on this forum that the "ordinary highland scot" rarely wears a kilt?

I think that you are coming very close to taking traditional highland dress into the realm of historical reenactment, which is fine for those who want to do that. The thing is, though, that you need to recognize that the rules only apply to those who want to assume the highland dress role. The rest of us can wear whatever we feel is appropriate. I am not saying that wearing what you feel is "correct" traditional attire is wrong, but it is wrong to criticize and/or ridicule kilted folk who don't dress by your rules (and you do of course know that there are not really rules on how to dress).

What you say is quite correct, no argument from me there.Except that traditional Highland dress is as current now as it was 20,30,40,100 years ago.My view is that if you choose to dress traditionally then do so and don't cut corners, don't adapt radically and don't kid your self. If you want to wear the kilt and not dress traditionally then, whilst I personally might not like the look, you will have no argument from me.Of course if an opinion is asked for, then I might legitimately venture an opinion.

[MacBean]

...its hollow arrogance seems to be as largely based on insecurity as much as it is a lack of social understanding.

oh my! Perhaps I don't lean towards tradition after all.

[ThistleDown]

Being traditionally dressed is as much about knowing what is not appropriate attire, as it is about knowing what is appropriate attire. Unfortunately the "appropriate" line gets blurred by many in North America, and there is usually a weak attempt to justify that blurring on the grounds of distance in time or space from Scotland. The most shallow of all arguments, it seems to me, is that one which goes something like "we're not in Scotland so we can wear what we want." Not only does this line of protest seem to display an ignorance of what are the accepted standards in the wearing of what has become the Scottish mode of national dress, but its hollow arrogance seems to be as largely based on insecurity as much as it is a lack of social understanding.

Thank you, Rathdown.

[MacBean]

Being traditionally dressed is as much about knowing what is not appropriate attire, as it is about knowing what is appropriate attire. Unfortunately the "appropriate" line gets blurred by many in North America, and there is usually a weak attempt to justify that blurring on the grounds of distance in time or space from Scotland. The most shallow of all arguments, it seems to me, is that one which goes something like "we're not in Scotland so we can wear what we want." Not only does this line of protest seem to display an ignorance of what are the accepted standards in the wearing of what has become the Scottish mode of national dress, but its hollow arrogance seems to be as largely based on insecurity as much as it is a lack of social understanding.

Perhaps I misunderstood; please correct me (I often do misconstrue)?

Do Americans actually "usually blur the lines between appropriate and inappropriate traditional dress and attire"?

If you have heard something like, "we're not in Scotland so we can wear what we want", does that mean the person in question was trying for traditional attire? I think that would be strange.

Does someone wearing what they want imply that they (and many folk here on this forum) display hollow arrogance, insecurity, and lack of social understanding?

Frankly, I'm shocked and disappointed. I have been quite careful to follow the traditional highland dress esthetic and custom, but why would I want to anymore? If I lose friends over this, well so be it.

[ThistleDown]

Except, hasn't it been mentioned in several discussions on this forum that the "ordinary highland scot" rarely wears a kilt?

I think that you are coming very close to taking traditional highland dress into the realm of historical reenactment, which is fine for those who want to do that. The thing is, though, that you need to recognize that the rules only apply to those who want to assume the highland dress role. The rest of us can wear whatever we feel is appropriate. I am not saying that wearing what you feel is "correct" traditional attire is wrong, but it is wrong to criticize and/or ridicule kilted folk who don't dress by your rules (and you do of course know that there are not really rules on how to dress).

I don't think the statement "the ordinary highland scot rarely wears a kilt" should be taken too seriously, Lyle. On this forum alone there are several Highland Scots who wear civilian Highland dress daily and several who are frequently so dressed. There are not hordes of Highlanders leaping from heather hummock to heather hummock in full kit, that's for sure, but we are to be found if you keep your eyes open. Mind you, we are usually just going about our business so you won't find us in the same places as you, the visitor.