Too Traditional?

[CMcG]

...
1) Anyone who holds an inherited title, especially one tied to ancestral lands, can probably wear what he wants without appearing costumey- ...

2) A walking staff or stick requires an Ace bandage, an actual cast, a journey of five miles or more, or a full head of grey/ gray hair to keep it from looking affected. You may substitute a scar of 10 inches in length, provided you are prepared to show it.

I'm going to side with MacLowlife on these two points. Here are a few reasons why and some caveats.

The influence of people with inherited titles on THCD cannot be underestimated i.e. King George IV and Queen Victoria. On Xmarks we often (rightly) hold up examples of lords, dukes, chiefs, etc as paragons of traditional Highland style. They are in a certain sense, however, always on duty, especially at the public events where people take pictures of them in their kilts. As such, many of them tend towards the more "florid" end of the scale. In as much as the majority of our great Rabble have no such position or obligation, I don't think we need to hold ourselves to the same standards.

In other words, if someone wants to dress like a person with an inherited title they can go ahead and do so. In order to just dress traditionally though, one does not have to be as traditional as the nobility. Perhaps we ought to pass those excellent photographic and old portraits (MacLeay's Highlanders anyone?) examples of Highland finery through a mental filter of good old banality.

As for the walking stick, if one has a practical use for one (or at least appear like you might) then go for it. If not, it looks a bit affected because just wearing a traditional kilt doesn't require one. If one doesn't mind dressing with a bit of whimsy, a bit of panac... er "flair" then they are also excused from injunctions against strict practicality. The point is that, traditionally, a walking stick is used as a walking aid, for leaning on, or perhaps for herding sheep.

...

And I had a much better picture taken, with the same pose. I'm now wondering if my gear looks too... fresh out of the box... to folks. Haha The kilt's only about five years old, the jacket and waistcoat, though freshly altered, are only a year and a half new, sporran from Christmas, etc... I've been kilting regularly for a decade, but I'll admit that a lot of the gear below is pretty new...

I think there are enough contemporary touches (recently designed tartan, sporran material, dark shirt colour) and historical flourishes (sporran design, garter ties) that your look is definitely not too traditional. It is, rather, traditional enough, with some room for "improvement" As such, the newness of the items doesn't seem contrived; it comes off as personalized. If you were carrying a cromach for show though... watch out

[David Thorpe]

As for the walking stick, if one has a practical use for one (or at least appear like you might) then go for it. If not, it looks a bit affected because just wearing a traditional kilt doesn't require one. If one doesn't mind dressing with a bit of whimsy, a bit of panac... er "flair" then they are also excused from injunctions against strict practicality. The point is that, traditionally, a walking stick is used as a walking aid, for leaning on, or perhaps for herding sheep.

Due to physical issues, I depend on a cane for mobility, and also have a lovely walking stick which belonged to my wife's grandfather. For "normal", casual day wear, I go with the cane. It's anodized aluminum - definitely non-traditional. For formal occasions and special events, I am honored to use the heirloom staff.

Thanks for helping put this issue in perspective.

[David Thorpe]

Very nice and not the least "costumey" in my humble and admittedly inexperienced opinion, Ryan. Nice setting and shot, too.

[creagdhubh]

Ryan,

I am glad that everything went well with your Confirmation. You look very smart mate!



Cheers,

[SlackerDrummer]

I was catching up on Downton Abbey over the holiday weekend and there was an exchange that made me think of this thread and the difference between those who grow up in the tradition and those who only know from what they see in the catalogs.

Can we stop for a minute?

Don't tell me you're tired.

I'm not tired, I'm hot. This tweed is too thick.

It looks more suited to shooting than walking.

I had it made for the weekend. I didn't know there was a difference.

[creagdhubh]

I was catching up on Downton Abbey over the holiday weekend and there was an exchange that made me think of this thread and the difference between those who grow up in the tradition and those who only know from what they see in the catalogs.

Hahaha! Wonderful addition to the discussion, Kenneth. I am such a huge Downton 'nut' it makes my lovely wife sick! LOL!

Cheers,

[MacLowlife]

Hail, Hail, CMcG,

This is the first thread in our Traditional Forum to go this high (in number of replies) since your thread last summer on defining Traditional Highland Civilian Dress. And just to make sure nobody thinks I am piling on spam here, I will add two additional corollaries concerning "Too Traditional":

1) Anyone who holds an inherited title, especially one tied to ancestral lands, can probably wear what he wants without appearing costumey- unless his ancestral lands are in Orlando, FL and Anaheim, CA, in which case, he probably wants it to look like a costume...

2) A walking staff or stick requires an Ace bandage, an actual cast, a journey of five miles or more, or a full head of grey/ gray hair to keep it from looking affected. You may substitute a scar of 10 inches in length, provided you are prepared to show it.

3 (Special bonus) Any smoking pipe that fits into your pocket either looks affected or , ahem medicinal if you are under 50.

[ForresterModern]

Hail, Hail, CMcG,

This is the first thread in our Traditional Forum to go this high (in number of replies) since your thread last summer on defining Traditional Highland Civilian Dress. And just to make sure nobody thinks I am piling on spam here, I will add two additional corollaries concerning "Too Traditional":

1) Anyone who holds an inherited title, especially one tied to ancestral lands, can probably wear what he wants without appearing costumey- unless his ancestral lands are in Orlando, FL and Anaheim, CA, in which case, he probably wants it to look like a costume...

2) A walking staff or stick requires an Ace bandage, an actual cast, a journey of five miles or more, or a full head of grey/ gray hair to keep it from looking affected. You may substitute a scar of 10 inches in length, provided you are prepared to show it.

3 (Special bonus) Any smoking pipe that fits into your pocket either looks affected or , ahem medicinal if you are under 50.

MacLowlife

While I agree with pretty much all you say, recognizing much of it seems to be typed with tongue firmly ensconced in cheek, I will have to take some issue with your #2 corollary. As one who despite being physically active (or possibly because of it) suffers from intermittent bouts of gout in one foot, inflamed overgrown heel spurs on both feet, and one degenerating arthritic knee (s/p 2 separate surgeries but only a 4 inch scar), I intermittently suffer enough from one or more of them to desire to use a walking stick (I have several---a blackthorn and a few others) for comfort and securiity, especially when walking on uneven ground or for prolonged periods, both typical for any highland games around here. To some it may indeed be an affectation, to others an optional aide, and still others a necessity.

[Dale Seago]

2) A walking staff or stick requires an Ace bandage, an actual cast, a journey of five miles or more, or a full head of grey/ gray hair to keep it from looking affected. You may substitute a scar of 10 inches in length, provided you are prepared to show it.

I don't have a significant amount of grey hair showing, but I figure turning 62 next week is sufficient. I only have a 3.75 inch scar, but I'm willing to show it to the right persons who may ask The Question when I'm kilted; and I have a pic of the x-ray of my artificial hip stored on my iPhone if the scar isn't enough.

On the other hand. . .With that new hip I can hike, climb, leap, run, or kick someone in the face; and my martial art includes a gazillion applications of stick/staff tools.

So I just take my blackthorn wherever I like and let people just assume the fit-looking old guy might have an occasional need for it. Besides, who knows, someday I might.

[CMcG]

Hail, Hail, CMcG,

This is the first thread in our Traditional Forum to go this high (in number of replies) since your thread last summer on defining Traditional Highland Civilian Dress...

I really enjoy a discussion like this for many reasons. First of all it satisfies my curiosity about THCD in a way that no amount of Googling or time in the library ever could and secondly, I'm in such good company Being an academic-in-training helps with the desire to learn, the way to form good questions, and a pinch of Socratic method