over doing the bling?

[JerseyLawyer]

I'm firmly convinced that in black tie, less is more. Simple and elegant go somewhat hand in hand. In Saxon white tie attire, the same holds, but the highland tradition of full dress involves a certain amount of plumage. So, if you have the opportunity for full evening dress, then it's time to bust out the bling, and a dirk would be appropriate.

[JSFMACLJR]

And then there is MacLowlife. I really like the outfit he's wearing in the pic a few posts back even though it isn't entirely traditional. !

You mean the pic wearing the Montrose doublet? What isn't traditional in what he is wearing? Looks spot on to me.

[CMcG]

You mean the pic wearing the Montrose doublet? What isn't traditional in what he is wearing? Looks spot on to me.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think Jolly Roger shoes or leopard print sporrans were particularly traditional? That's why the outfit works though; it gives a generally traditional look with a bit of untraditional flare.

Let's look again:

[ThistleDown]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think Jolly Roger shoes or leopard print sporrans were particularly traditional? That's why the outfit works though; it gives a generally traditional look with a bit of untraditional flare.

Let's look again:

But he's not wearing Jolly Roger shoes. He's wearing buckled shoes with his own choice of pattern for the buckle. It looks a bit strange, I agree, but traditionally it is as correct as the Duke of Argyll and his salmon buttons. As for the leopard print sporran here's Prince Henry of Battenburg in a silly German cap but wearing a magnificent leopardskin sporran.

[JerseyLawyer]

But he's not wearing Jolly Roger shoes. He's wearing buckled shoes with his own choice of pattern for the buckle. It looks a bit strange, I agree, but traditionally it is as correct as the Duke of Argyll and his salmon buttons. As for the leopard print sporran here's Prince Henry of Battenburg in a silly German cap but wearing a magnificent leopardskin sporran.

With respect, those aren't shoe buckles. That's an embroidered motif on a velvet slipper. Something like this:

[CMcG]

But he's not wearing Jolly Roger shoes. He's wearing buckled shoes with his own choice of pattern for the buckle. It looks a bit strange, I agree, but traditionally it is as correct as the Duke of Argyll and his salmon buttons. As for the leopard print sporran here's Prince Henry of Battenburg in a silly German cap but wearing a magnificent leopardskin sporran.

With respect, those aren't shoe buckles. That's an embroidered motif on a velvet slipper. Something like this:

And also with respect, the motif is clearly a Jolly Roger. Also, I think the sporran is a stenciled leopard print pattern, not leopard skin. If these details are traditional, they are certainly uncommon in contemporary times, no? An idiosyncratic bling...

[JSFMACLJR]

And also with respect, the motif is clearly a Jolly Roger. Also, I think the sporran is a stenciled leopard print pattern, not leopard skin. If these details are traditional, they are certainly uncommon in contemporary times, no? An idiosyncratic bling...

I'm afraid you are grasping at straws here. Velvet embridered evening shoe/slippers have been around for a very long time. The Duke of Windsor wore them; Prince Charles wears them--even with the kilt.

And so what if the sporran isn't real leopard skin? Is there some requirement that fur has to be "authentic"? What about the various furs in use today which resemble seal skin but aren't? What about chrome cantles which are a cheap imitation of silver but (unfortunately) are commonplace on "traditional" evening sporrans?

I see nothing wrong with embroidered pumps. Personally, they would not be my choice for evening wear with the kilt, but since I have a pair I might give them a try when next I entertain!

[CMcG]

I'm afraid you are grasping at straws here. Velvet embridered evening shoe/slippers have been around for a very long time. The Duke of Windsor wore them; Prince Charles wears them--even with the kilt.

And so what if the sporran isn't real leopard skin? Is there some requirement that fur has to be "authentic"? What about the various furs in use today which resemble seal skin but aren't? What about chrome cantles which are a cheap imitation of silver but (unfortunately) are commonplace on "traditional" evening sporrans?

I see nothing wrong with embroidered pumps. Personally, they would not be my choice for evening wear with the kilt, but since I have a pair I might give them a try when next I entertain!

I see nothing wrong with embroidered pumps either. It just doesn't seem like THCD to be sporting a skull and cross bones, with its origins as a pirate symbol.

As for real leopard skin vs. leopard print, it has to do with the associations of latter. Do a google image search for "leopard print clothing" and one is unlikely to find anything that could be deemed traditional or proper.

But apparently I'm grasping at straws, so I will give up. THCD is much more adventurous than I thought; Ahoy matey!

[Highland Logan]

I see nothing wrong with embroidered pumps either. It just doesn't seem like THCD to be sporting a skull and cross bones, with its origins as a pirate symbol.

Not to jump in on anyone's toes, but the skull and crossbones have been a Masonic symbol, as well as having been used by many militaries (and not just the German) for centuries. MacLowlife would have to explain why he chose those pumps himself, but don't jump to conclusions without all the facts.

Frank

[Jock Scot]

Not to jump in on anyone's toes, but the skull and crossbones have been a Masonic symbol, as well as having been used by many militaries (and not just the German) for centuries. MacLowlife would have to explain why he chose those pumps himself, but don't jump to conclusions without all the facts.

Frank

The skull and crossbones is the cap badge of the British cavalry regiment 17th/21st Lancers.No doubt it has other uses, pirates for one, submariners fly it when returning to port after a successful mission for another.