Right or Wrong

[BCAC]

I'm fairly new here and, I might add, very much the "traditional" kilt wearer.

I've been looking back over old posts for a while and I'd like to ask you all a question.

It comes over quite strong here that most people are against (and some quite strongly) white kilt hose and "jacobite" shirts but seem to be quite allright with someone dressed in a kilt with no belt, no sporran, no socks (of any kind) and a T shirt?

I don't like this casual kilting very much but "whatever floats your boat". Then again I do like these "jacobite" shirts (I have two at the moment and when funds allow I will be buying two more in different colors). I also have three pairs of off white (the color is officially called "ecru") hose that could be mistaken for white and I wear both the shirts and these off white hose regularly and with pride, and will continue to do so.

I seems funny to me that there are quite a few people against what I wear and who seem OK with the so called casual look where non of the accessories are remotely anything to do with Scottish attire or kilting.

Obviously, when attending formal functions one should make the effort to be correctly attired but shouldn't there be more give and take (live and let live) in our attitudes with regards to kilting?

[swampfox]

some of the others on here may have a different opinion than mine (not that mine really matters all that much) but i porsonally dont care for the jocobite shirt as normal day wear... not i wouldnt wear one to say the games or a ren fair but for just running out to target or something its too costumy for me plus im a larger guy so for me to wear my shirt tucked in makes me look pregnant so i wear it untucked and with wool socks pushed down.

[Jock Scot]

Welcome, from Inverness-shire.

[RockyR]

Welcome from Spring City, PA!

I'm fairly new here and, I might add, very much the "traditional" kilt wearer.

I've been looking back over old posts for a while and I'd like to ask you all a question.

It comes over quite strong here that most people are against (and some quite strongly) white kilt hose and "jacobite" shirts but seem to be quite allright with someone dressed in a kilt with no belt, no sporran, no socks (of any kind) and a T shirt?

I don't like this casual kilting very much but "whatever floats your boat". Then again I do like these "jacobite" shirts (I have two at the moment and when funds allow I will be buying two more in different colors). I also have three pairs of off white (the color is officially called "ecru") hose that could be mistaken for white and I wear both the shirts and these off white hose regularly and with pride, and will continue to do so.

I seems funny to me that there are quite a few people against what I wear and who seem OK with the so called casual look where non of the accessories are remotely anything to do with Scottish attire or kilting.

Obviously, when attending formal functions one should make the effort to be correctly attired but shouldn't there be more give and take (live and let live) in our attitudes with regards to kilting?

I think you'll find that those members who like the "casual look" (no sporran, no hose, etc) are posting in the Modern Kilt Wear section... OR members who have a VERY traditional slant to their dress lend themselves to the "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" kind of mindset on occasion. It's not that they APPROVE of that look, but what would disagreeing with everyone who DOES accomplish? It would just be a divisive force on the board. We practice restraint to keep things cheery.

You'll find that as you come here over time, you pick up on people's individual member attitudes toward things. You'll also note that MOST people up here have a strong opinion on things (part of being Scottish ). You'll also note that while we have opinions, we try to remain civil to each other, even when we disagree. That's why we call ourselves "the ladies and gentlemen of Xmarks".

If you like white hose and Highland shirts, please rest assured that there are others who have the exact same mindset as you. Please don't take offence that some people don't 'appreciate' that style. Your opinion of yourself is the only one that TRULY matters. Others may be able to give advice and guide you up here in what is deemed 'appropriate' or not, but when it comes down to it, you're the one living your life. No one else.

Sit back, relax, pour a few fingers of your finest single malt and post your opinions for us. We look forward to seeing more of you.

[McFarkus]

Just remember, there are no kilt police. I, personally, don't like white or cream kilt hose much. But, that said, wearing a kilt is about freedom. So wear it the way you want to.

Though I have a couple of modern kilts, I tend to wear a wool kilt (solid or tartan) with a belt, sporran, and knee-high hose. But I pair these with a modern shirt (yes, even a t-shirt sometimes) and modern shoes or boots.

One of the great things about this forum is that there are lots of pictures so you are exposed to many different ways of wearing a kilt.

[Tobus]

You'll find every possible variation of opinions here on this board. There is no single pervasive opinion.

Some people think the kilt should be worn for all occasions, in all modes of dress, with an "anything goes" attitude. Others think it should only be worn in its traditional manner, and for specific occasions. And yet others hold views somewhere in between.

So I daresay it would be an error to attempt to extract a singular sense of what's right or wrong from what you see on this forum. Wear what you like, and fear not the kilt police.

Having said that, you might find over time that your tastes change when you are exposed to the opinions and extensive experience of others, especially our native Scots who have worn kilts in the traditional manner, in its native context. You may gradually start to agree with those who think that Jacobite shirts are a silly modern fabrication of a costume look, representing the worst kind of Brigadoonery, and stop wearing them altogether. You may come to the realization that white and ecru hose are a modern offshoot of the kilt-hire industry, having no basis in history up until a couple of decades ago, and that they look like you walked straight out of a rental shop, knowing nothing of the proper kilt-wearing traditions.

Or, conversely, you may decide that Jacobite shirts and ecru hose are really the best look after all, and that you'll throw tradition to the wind and wear them anyway, along with a Braveheart style two-handed claymore and woad face-paint. That's the beauty of a forum like this: everyone will reach a different conclusion on what looks 'right' or suits their personal taste. Everyone will have an opinion on your choices, either good or bad, and they'll be (mostly) polite about it. Some may tell you that you're doing it wrong, but if so, their intentions are honest. You're perfectly free to ignore them and carry on as you please.

Please do consider, though, that we have an extensive base of knowledgeable folks, from native Scots to historians and kilt/tartan experts, and that they will be fairly vocal about pointing out what's traditional and what's not. This is for the overall greater good of the kilt-wearing public, so that we can all know what the true traditions are, and decide for ourselves whether we want to follow them or not.

Welcome to the forum, and happy kilting!

[Spartan Tartan]

I think it really comes down to personal style. As I walk through town or go shopping, I see a lot of people wearing all manner of outfits that I would never dare to wear. But then of course, I am not wearing it.

As with any other style of clothes, there are going to be a full range of opinions about "how one is to wear a kilt". So what? I like all the pictures posted throughout XMTS and enjoy seeing the variety of ways people dress up their kilts...that said, I can't see myself wearing many of the outfits personally. Not to say it looks bad, just I wouldn't be comfortable in it--and isn't that the point? To be comfortable.

I say, and others have too, if you like white hose (or ecru, as the case may be) and jacobite shirts then wear them. No worries that others may not.

I, for one, can't see myself wearing a full mask sporran. I think they look fantastic, but fear it may be a bit too much for me...then again, 10 years ago I didn't see myself wearing a kilt either

[Spc. Scott]

I would say that you should be comfortable in whatever it is that you are wearing. No more, no less.

You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself. - R. Nelson


Oh, and welcome from Ithaca, NY!

[swampfox]

I would say that you should be comfortable in whatever it is that you are wearing. No more, no less

agreed 1,000%

[Nighthawk]

First off,

Second, I think you may be misunderstanding some things. It's not that we're against you wearing Jacobite shirts and white hose. It's that to most of us, wearing a Jacobite shirt for daily wear is a little silly, because when you get right down to it, they look like costume wear. I would sooner wear an Iron Maiden t shirt with a traditional kilt than a Jacobite shirt because there is this attitude that the kilt is itself a costume of some sort. Wearing a costume-like shirt with it only helps to reinforce that attitude. However, wearing "normal" clothing with the kilt makes it look more like regular clothes, instead of costume. So I leave the costume shirts in the closet and reserve them for festival wear. If you like it, then by all means, wear it! Just don't make the mistake of thinking that they're actually traditional. Wearing the kilt as normal clothing is traditional- because that's what the kilt is, and what it always has been!

As to the white hose... They are a product of the rental industry. To my eyes, they look like part of a rental outfit. It's as simple as that. They look cheap to me. If you like them, then hey- great! Wear them. Personally, the way I see it, there are so many better options! Forest green hose look beautiful with my Colorado state tartan kilt, purple looks spectacular with my Albannach. White looks... generic.

So to restate the point- if you like it, that's fine for you. Just don't think that Jacobite shirts and white hose are something other than modern inventions! And just so you know, this is coming from someone who wears both modern and traditional kilts interchangably.