THCD Photo Examples

[seanachie]

That's him, and his lovely wife Fiona. :-) The photo was taken at the Stone Mountain Highland Games in 2008, I believe, and the tartan he's wearing is the Red & Black MacGregor, aka "Rob Roy."

Here is another photo of the pair, showing a more tartan-filled example of THCD.

That is a pretty amazing looking. Man if I ever win the lottery I know that I would love to have the complete set in a few tartans. Thanks for sharing this photo.

[Tobus]

I was also interested to see discussion above of that other great highland accessory- the beard.

I do wish these would come back into fashion! I've seen it written that the tradition amongst Highlanders was to be clean-shaven, but it also seems that (during the Victorian era, at least) beards were very much en-vogue. I personally think a prodigious amount of facial hair adds a gruffness/manliness to the entire ensemble that makes it 10 times more appealing.

That is a pretty amazing looking. Man if I ever win the lottery I know that I would love to have the complete set in a few tartans. Thanks for sharing this photo.

I know there's a good tradition in wearing that much tartan, but to me it's simply too much. I may be crucified for this opinion, but it borders on absurd-looking to me with such a bright/bold tartan, and in such broad expanses of area. In older portraits (mainly from Jacobite times) it seems to look more appropriate, though, and I suppose this is because the tartans were more complex, and the pattern was 'broken up' by the wearing of a plaid.

Is he also holding a matching tartan bonnet of some sort in his hand?

[MacBean]

I don't mean to be offensive, but the white shirt, black argyll jacket with silver buttons, ghillie brogues, ubiquitous sealskin/chrome cantle evening sporran, black hose/white hose outfit is the one that I think is most lacking when it comes to personal style and individual "tweaking", making it almost a "uniform" of sorts, since there is rarely any variation in the different bits and pieces. We're in complete agreement, though, on the clean-shaveness aspect!

Ah yes, but sometimes one encounters a man wearing a simple suit, who wears it so well, that the ordinary uniform stands out. That's partially why I liked this one so well, exactly because it is the ordinary done so nicely! Sometimes the efforts at uniqueness seem overblown - I'm a bit in the understated camp myself.

[BobsYourUncle]

I do wish these would come back into fashion! I've seen it written that the tradition amongst Highlanders was to be clean-shaven, but it also seems that (during the Victorian era, at least) beards were very much en-vogue. I personally think a prodigious amount of facial hair adds a gruffness/manliness to the entire ensemble that makes it 10 times more appealing.


I know there's a good tradition in wearing that much tartan, but to me it's simply too much. I may be crucified for this opinion, but it borders on absurd-looking to me with such a bright/bold tartan, and in such broad expanses of area. In older portraits (mainly from Jacobite times) it seems to look more appropriate, though, and I suppose this is because the tartans were more complex, and the pattern was 'broken up' by the wearing of a plaid.

Is he also holding a matching tartan bonnet of some sort in his hand?

Well, you shouldn't be crucified by anyone, whether they agree or disagree. What you are up against is a difference in stylistic sensibilities. In the current era of bland uniformity in dress, even putting two patterned items of clothing into the same outfit looks too busy to the modern eye. IMHO, accepting and even liking/enjoying some of the more daring combinations in THCD can challenge the ideas we have grown up with in Sassenach society. I am intrigued by the dress of John Burgess and The MacGregor, and have come to love the bold flamboyance exhibited. However, these are not your mother's wardrobe choices, caution, trained professionals put these outfits together, one should not attempt such grand style without adult supervision....

[wildrover]

I know there's a good tradition in wearing that much tartan, but to me it's simply too much. I may be crucified for this opinion, but it borders on absurd-looking to me with such a bright/bold tartan, and in such broad expanses of area. In older portraits (mainly from Jacobite times) it seems to look more appropriate, though, and I suppose this is because the tartans were more complex, and the pattern was 'broken up' by the wearing of a plaid.

I agree with you.

There's a quote...probably biblical, I dunno...about seeking judgment from one's enemies, because they'll be brutally honest as opposed to the false charity of friends.

Hopefully none of us are enemies...but it would be nice to hear honesty and critique rather than only historical justification or worse yet slavish praise for what may in fact be a poor fashion decision.

I suspect that Rob Roy tartan would be fine as kilt and vest, if the hose and jacket gave it some balance. John Burgess's example, and a photo posted by Matt Newsome of a gent in a red-based tartan and jacket, are excellent examples.

Well, you shouldn't be crucified by anyone, whether they agree or disagree. What you are up against is a difference in stylistic sensibilities. In the current era of bland uniformity in dress, even putting two patterned items of clothing into the same outfit looks too busy to the modern eye. IMHO, accepting and even liking/enjoying some of the more daring combinations in THCD can challenge the ideas we have grown up with in Sassenach society. I am intrigued by the dress of John Burgess and The MacGregor, and have come to love the bold flamboyance exhibited. However, these are not your mother's wardrobe choices, caution, trained professionals put these outfits together, one should not attempt such grand style without adult supervision....

True enough. At the end of the day, it's an example of how to dress, whether one chooses to emulate or avoid it. I'm not sure how an unflattering comparison would be taken...as I said, better to have one's enemies be honest from the anonymity of teh internets, than a friend point it out here...but I do feel very strongly that the Rob Roy tartan would be better coupled with a different jacket and hose.

[Ancienne Alliance]

I consider myself wearing the Traditional Highland Dress although I am perhaps not as classic as one would expect me to be.
My tailor and kilt-maker is very respectful of the Highland wear, but she will not for instance spontaneously put epaulettes on her Argyles and Doublets.

Day wear:










Evening wear :



Chocolate Brown woolen fabric and turtle shell buttons.





Royal Blue Alcantara and 22carats gold baroque buttons.



Best,

Robert

[Mael Coluim]

Robert, You are the man! Most impeccible, if my slavish self says so.

Beards. Let's see I think I was last with out mine, the summer of 1980 for a bit. Thought it might be to hot sailing the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. The other time it went off was for a week or there abouts during a time when a certain TV show was popular. When my dear mother so me without the beard, she said, "Hi, Meathead!" (My hair was a little longer back then.)

[wildrover]

This is about what I was describing, regarding bold tartans and tartan vests with contrasting & balancing jackets & hose...nicely done.

[BobsYourUncle]

What a great thread! Keep them coming!

[Teufel Hunden]

Royal Blue Alcantara and 22carats gold baroque buttons.

Robert, it's rare to come across such well dressed gents these days.

I ESPECIALLY love the waistcoat with big collar in this one. I was checking out the pics on the website, and I'd LOVE to have one of my own, with different embroidery on it.

Keep looking awesome!

-Sam