Highlanders Discuss Highland Attire

[OC Richard]

1. The Stewards marching in Oban to the Argyllshire Gathering


This photo perfectly illustrates something I mentioned on the "evening sporrans- must they be fur?" thread, that it's common for the sporran to be of a formality matching the rest of the kit, and also for the sporran to be a notch more formal than the rest of the kit, but not common for the reverse.

So to my eye fur looks fine with Day Dress, but a plain leather sporran would look odd with Evening Dress.

8. Some ball-goers on Skye.


I love this quite traditional look of the long hair sporrans worn with civilian Evening Dress.

[MacLowlife]

10Buck,

You mentioned Brigadoon. Not too long ago there was a thread over on tartans and heraldry ( I think) in which "Brigadoonery" was discussed briefly. You may want to search for that word and see what was said there.

I come back to the calm of this thread from the ruckus over at "titles and rankings removed" and boy is it nice to see this topic and the useful information. My thanks to my kilted elders, whatever your age or location.

Gratefully,
M'LL

[wildrover]

One of the best threads I've read on this forum, thank you, gentlemen!

[Jock Scot]

Alright then you non Scots kilt wearers, a few questions. What have you read or seen on this thread(please let us ignore romantic artistic dreams) that confound you? Are there answers that "us locals" have given that have surprised you? Are there really that many differences in the way us Scots view(wear) the kilt from the rest of the world? I have a few ideas of some of the answers that you might give, but go on surprise me!

[Nick the DSM]

Actually, not really surprising at all. Kind of expected that. Its the same thing when people expect the roads over to be paved...(lol).

I do enjoy this thread, even a rebel youngun like myself.

[Micric]

Nothing that confounds me Jock, but I do find that you have a very refreshing lack of painstaking worry, regarding detail in dress. (..."...life's too short"..)
This is a real encouragement to me, as I'm new here and to kilted stuff, even tho' my wife is a cross-bred Scott...(!)
I found it all a bit bewildering for a start, but the understated look you aim for is exactly where I feel at home and I'm not new to tweeds etc. (Ex Yorks)

I Was surprised (pleasantly) That a decent tweed argyle was suitable for weddings, etc, and no need to go for the high-end PC look. Very nice!

And the words, "It is what it is" What more can be said!? Thanks Jock!!!

Richard.

[MacBean]

Are there answers that "us locals" have given that have surprised you?

Actually, I have seen kilts worn at the Clan Chattan Band of Union Resigning last year, and not much beyond that, so your comments affirm what I had already observed. I do still wonder about when cuffs on jackets and formal wear with silver buttons are expected...I guess I lean towards simpler attire myself.

[pdcorlis]

I know I'm late to the party but I would like to share my profound thanks with all who have contributed to this thread. As an aside, I understand and support the removal of titles and ranks here at XMarks - but I would award this "Thread of the Year" if it were in my power.

[Jock Scot]

Actually, I have seen kilts worn at the Clan Chattan Band of Union Resigning last year, and not much beyond that, so your comments affirm what I had already observed. I do still wonder about when cuffs on jackets and formal wear with silver buttons are expected...I guess I lean towards simpler attire myself.

The silver button quandary that you seem so concerned about is simplicity itself to solve. Tweed, with non silver buttons, will see you through 99.9% of all day wear situations and 25% of evening situations.Don't worry about the cuffs, they are not an issue.

The need for silver buttons worn with day wear is so rare actually. I don't know how often people wear a morning suit. Once a year? Four times a year? Ten times a year? Never? Not often then. Well that is as often that you will need to wear silver buttons, during the day with your highland attire. It is that simple.

Evenings, for FORMAL events, the silver buttons(appropriate jackets too) come out to play. However, a quiet supper with friends, a bit of an informal drinks do, an informal dinner with the wife or girlfriend those sorts of things your tweed (non silver buttons) will do nicely. Dead simple really.

[MacLowlife]

Jock,

I thank you for your comment on buttons, but some of us nervous types are now worried about being OVER dressed. Here in the benighted American South, many men wear a navy blazer with metal buttons, with or without a tie. It may symbolize formality or it may simply be a place to put things ( more pockets). Lately, black blazers have turned up and also navy blazers with bone buttons (which look suspiciously like suit jackets wha has lost their trousers).

I am wondering about that metal buttoned Argyll, in navy or black wool- is it too dressy to wear to church or a garden party? Would it stand out as an Americanism?

Thanks
M'll