Too Traditional?

[SlackerDrummer]

@Nick
Personal flair is no more difficult with Highland attire than it is with a suit, which you are too young to know about. Part of it is the accessories: with a suit, your shirt, tie, handkerchief, etc.; with your kilt, it's your shirt tie, sporran, hose, much more than your jacket. But it's not just what you wear; it's how you wear it. Take a journey down to your local courthouse on any given day. It's easy to pick some of the attorneys from their clients, even if both are wearing suits.

[Tobus]

You have used a picture of Tobus as an example. I hope he does not mind. Yes you are right, a horse hair sporran might tip the balance towards "costume" in some people's eyes. Add diced hose to the equation and the balance is starting to tip towards "costume" rather more. Add a dirk and we are, as far as I am concerned, now well into the realms of costume. Add a fly plaid held on with a large broach at the shoulder and most would agree that we are now off the traditional chart and well into costume. For me, we would have been at the costume stage at the horse hair sporran level, in fact, I would say that the those smart spats were a wee step too far in the circumstaces that they were worn. Had the ground been muddy then they would have been perfect, others may and will differ, but it does illustrate perfectly just how fine that line is. It is all to do with perception and where your experience has come from and that, more often than not, is as hard to grasp as mist blowing in the wind. Does it matter? No not really, but regardless of how unimportant we may think it is, we all have a sneaking wish to cut a dash in our own way.

Nope, don't mind at all. I actually appreciate the commentary, as I value your opinion.

My intent, when dressing that morning to go to the Highland Games, was to be very traditional and yes, even push the envelope. Knowing that virtually no one here dresses that traditionally, I knew it would stand out, and I wanted to gauge reactions. Had it not been so blazing hot, I would have worn the matching jacket, which I think gives it a better overall look:



I went back and forth on whether to wear the spats. In the end, I decided to wear them because every time I go to a Highland Games here in Texas, I end up coming home with dust/dirt and tiny bits of dead grass all stuck in my hose and shoelaces. You don't see it in that photo, but most of the grounds are dirt/gravel walkways and grassy areas, and lots of dead leaves. There was some mud too, but I stayed out of it as best I could. I wanted to see just how well the spats would keep out the dirt, and they did fine. Plus, of course, I just like the way they look and would like to see them come back into style. I actually had several people approach me with "wow - spats!" type comments. It was an experiment, of sorts, in finding that "fine line" between traditional and too traditional.

I agree that patterned hose, hair sporran, fly plaid, and all that other stuff would have been over the top.

[MacLowlife]

TWO HUNDRED REPLIES IN LESS THAN TEN DAYS. Gentlemen, I think that is a record. One thing we know- plenty of people are interested by Traditional Civilian Highland Dress and quite a few of them have shared well informed opinions on the subject. Thanks, CMcG, for starting it, and thanks, everyone for all of the great additions.

The exchange between Jock Scot and Tobus recalls Jock's earlier comment- that a photograph out of context can easily be misinterpreted. Practical explanations make sense of many things.

Tobus, you always look so severe in your pictures, it would be difficult for anyone to associate you with the overdressed grinning cartoon buffoons from the movies and music halls. I sure hope you have occasion to smile now and then, even if it doesn't show up in pictures. But I think that is a clue to some of the other pics we have seen: those candid shots of people in groups tend to show people comfortable in their own skins- and their clothes. Wearing it well has much to do with being relaxed and certain. Maybe that is why so many people choose to dress "like everybody else". Too bad we can't order a wee bag of confidence to tote in our sporrans- or rucksacks, poacher's pockets, or tucked into a sock.

[creagdhubh]

TWO HUNDRED REPLIES IN LESS THAN TEN DAYS. Gentlemen, I think that is a record. One thing we know- plenty of people are interested by Traditional Civilian Highland Dress and quite a few of them have shared well informed opinions on the subject. Thanks, CMcG, for starting it, and thanks, everyone for all of the great additions.

I second that! Well done, gents!!!

Cheers,

[David Thorpe]

TWO HUNDRED REPLIES IN LESS THAN TEN DAYS. Gentlemen, I think that is a record. One thing we know- plenty of people are interested by Traditional Civilian Highland Dress and quite a few of them have shared well informed opinions on the subject. Thanks, CMcG, for starting it, and thanks, everyone for all of the great additions...

Another ***. Very informative and helpful thread. Thanks to all contributors.

[MacSpadger]

Tobus, you always look so severe in your pictures, it would be difficult for anyone to associate you with the overdressed grinning cartoon buffoons from the movies and music halls. I sure hope you have occasion to smile now and then, even if it doesn't show up in pictures. But I think that is a clue to some of the other pics we have seen: those candid shots of people in groups tend to show people comfortable in their own skins- and their clothes. Wearing it well has much to do with being relaxed and certain. Maybe that is why so many people choose to dress "like everybody else". Too bad we can't order a wee bag of confidence to tote in our sporrans- or rucksacks, poacher's pockets, or tucked into a sock.

I think Tobus looks fine in the pic, and the severe look is very Scottish, but a couple of things would mark him out as slightly different over here. The jacket and waistcoat are cracking, very nice indeed,and I like the pocket watch, I wear one myself. The box pleat kilt is not often seen over here, at least, not in that style of wide box pleating.
The hose tops seem awfy long, but maybe that's just the camera angle. The civilian spats might cause comment, they've really been out of fashion a long time. It's odd, much of our current "traditional" wear comes from the Victorian period and has survived, but spats, which I think of Edwardian, croaked it long ago. They look alright on you, Tobus, but I don't think I'd wear them myself.

I have memories of wearing spats with No.1's, they are bluddy awkward things to get on and off and keeping them clean is a nightmare.

[creagdhubh]

I think Tobus looks fine in the pic, and the severe look is very Scottish, but a couple of things would mark him out as slightly different over here. The jacket and waistcoat are cracking, very nice indeed,and I like the pocket watch, I wear one myself. The box pleat kilt is not often seen over here, at least, not in that style of wide box pleating.
The hose tops seem awfy long, but maybe that's just the camera angle. The civilian spats might cause comment, they've really been out of fashion a long time. It's odd, much of our current "traditional" wear comes from the Victorian period and has survived, but spats, which I think of Edwardian, croaked it long ago. They look alright on you, Tobus, but I don't think I'd wear them myself.

I have memories of wearing spats with No.1's, they are bluddy awkward things to get on and off and keeping them clean is a nightmare.

I agree with your assessment of Tobus' attire. And whereas I do like the spats, I don't think I'd wear them either. I own the same style and colour of hose in which Tobus is wearing. They are the Lewis style hose made by House of Cheviot in their dark natural colour. The turnover of these style are indeed rather on the long side, however, I buy my House of Cheviot hose smaller than what I actually wear, and this seems to keep the hose well in balance; i.e. - the hose tops don't seem too long and the height of the hose is approximately 2-3 finger width beneath my knee-cap - where I like them to be.

Cheers,

[Zardoz]

My intent, when dressing that morning to go to the Highland Games, was to be very traditional and yes, even push the envelope. Knowing that virtually no one here dresses that traditionally, I knew it would stand out, and I wanted to gauge reactions. Had it not been so blazing hot, I would have worn the matching jacket, which I think gives it a better overall look

I think the "blazing hot" part is why basically no one around here dresses that traditionally! What sort of reactions did you get? Not sure which games that was, but looking at the other folks in your pic from the event it seems sunny and hot, so personally I would not have gone for the shirt and tie-waistcoat thing.

[creagdhubh]

I think the "blazing hot" part is why basically no one around here dresses that traditionally! What sort of reactions did you get? Not sure which games that was, but looking at the other folks in your pic from the event it seems sunny and hot, so personally I would not have gone for the shirt and tie-waistcoat thing.

If it is really, really hot, then I opt to wear a long sleeved, collared shirt with the shirtsleeves rolled up a couple of times, kilt, sporran, hose, and maybe a Balmoral. I do not wear t-shirts (undershirts) alone with the kilt, or even a polo-shirt - always a collared, button down shirt - even if I am wearing a jumper.

Me in Pitlochry, 2009 - it got pretty warm that day!


Kentucky Scottish Weekend, 2011.


Cheers,

[Panache]

This has certainly been a very enjoyable thread to read and participate in. What I have taken away from it is that there is no absolute simple black/white, right/wrong, yes/no to traditional highland dress. There are guidelines, there are precedents, but not necessarily hard and fast rules. The basic guidelines are sensible.

Less is more,
Function over form,
Don't overdress,
Don't underdress,
This is clothing not costume,
The individual's own style is part of highland style

And of course one definite fact has come of this thread

Traditional Highland Dress is alive and well!

Thanks Colin and to all that shared their experiences, Wisdom and wonderful photos!

I doff my plumed hat to all of you





Cheers

Jamie