Less Can Be More

[Dale Seago]

So, here's my outfit from this past weekend's Scottish festival. I posted this in a few other threads and would be interested to hear your input.

This outfit is colour coordinated but I don't think it's too "matchy matchy" (perhaps you disagree).
It's also probably not the "less is more" approach, but I got a lot of compliments, including from the professional photographer who stopped and asked if he could take my photo because I looked so, "authentic". At a festival full of kilts, I found his reaction interesting and flattering. What do you think? More is more? Less is more? Matchy matchy or well pulled together?

N

Not too matchy matchy in my view, and very well pulled together indeed!

[Nathan]

Thank you all. The pullover was just a reaction to the cold but I like how it worked out. I arrived dressed like this. (That's my father on the left.) This may be the over the top things (full mask sporran and patterned hose tops) that Colin started this thread in subtle opposition to, so it's likely not a less is more approach.

[Tobus]

I think you look absolutely smashing, Nathan. The jumper with the collar pulled up is an interesting look, but I rather like it.

It's not overdone at all. Nor is it underdone (in the "less is more" approach). To me, it's the best of both worlds. Not matchy-matchy, but not looking like you tried too hard not to match. It all just comes together perfectly! I even like the non-matching waistcoat with your jacket in that last pic. What a great example of how daywear should be worn!

If anything, I would think your look should serve as an excellent counter-point to the "less is more" approach. You have paid attention to detail here and have added some nice touches like the pocket watch, patterned hose cuffs, and pocket square, which really add a touch of finesse and personalisation to your look. Yet it doesn't look like you're overdressed or trying to show off all your goodies. It just looks ... right to me.

[CMcG]

So, here's my outfit from this past weekend's Scottish festival. I posted this in a few other threads and would be interested to hear your input.

This outfit is colour coordinated but I don't think it's too "matchy matchy" (perhaps you disagree).
It's also probably not the "less is more" approach, but I got a lot of compliments, including from the professional photographer who stopped and asked if he could take my photo because I looked so, "authentic". At a festival full of kilts, I found his reaction interesting and flattering. What do you think? More is more? Less is more? Matchy matchy or well pulled together?

N

I think that outfit is very smart What's more, it is well suited to the context i.e. a Scottish festival, in a field, with a bunch of other folks running around in kilts. It is not, however, less is more, but then again neither is it matchy matchy or more is more. That right there is pretty classic THCD day wear

The point of this thread was not to disparage this sort of look, or even one that is actually more is more, but rather to present an alternative within the range of THCD. A lot of the discussion around here veers towards emboldening peoples' approaches, so I thought I'd apply a countermeasure to the broader forum discourse.

[Jock Scot]

I think this thread has achieved everything and probably more than you intended Colin. Is there much difference between what you are suggesting as a possible way to dress in the kilt and the way that Nathan has so ably demonstrated? No not at all and the difference in detail is only minor and just goes to show the versatility of THCD and between yourself and Nathan you have only just scratched the surface of THCD options without creating a costume.

Any one looking at pictures of those attending a Highland Games in Scotland will see many, many variations on the theme, some of these will verge on one extreme or the other. Some will be beyond those extremes and without knowing the circumstance of why, this or that, is worn and the way it is, we do need to be just a tad careful--------we tend get too persnickety about all this on this website, I think-------- but to be fair, we are a kilt website and I accept that many are trying to grapple with the often bafflingly vague and elusive "guidelines" of THCD.

[OC Richard]

What strikes me in this photo is the drabness of the drummers in their Pipe Band kit compared to the colourful dress of the other men.

[OC Richard]

I would much rather wear a few understated items of high quality than adorn myself with every possible accessory in fancy patterns and designs head to toe. When I speak of "fancy patterns and designs" I am obviously not talking about tartan kilts, or checked or windowpane jackets. I think mixing a variety of that sort of pattern lends texture and interest to an outfit. So you will commonly see me wearing my tartan kilt, tattersall shirt, striped tie, and checked tweed jacket and waistcoat all together.

What you will not see me doing is wearing a kilt belt embossed with celtic knotwork, tartan garter flashes, a belt buckle with the Scottish flag on it, a sporran with my clan crest embossed on it, and kilt hose with thistles embroidered into the cuffs as a part of that outfit!

I think there is a tendency to go too far with this sort of emblem motif. If you go into some kilt shops or browse the booths at a Highland Games you'd think that in order for any Highland Dress accessory to be considered truly authentic it must feature 1) your clan crest, 2) your clan tartan, 3) the Scottish flag, 4) a thistle, or 5) celtic knotwork.

Very well stated and I couldn't agree more!

When this "less is more" thread came up I immediately thought of how I dress, how my nearly 40 years of kiltwearing has got me to pare down my kit to the basics required to make a good show as a working piper.

So:

1 shoes
2 hose
3 flashes
4 kilt
5 sporran
6 shirt
7 tie
8 jacket
9 bonnet
10 cap badge

No pins or badges (except the cap badge), no tie tack, no kilt pin, no weaponry, no belts, no waistcoat. The thing for me is to have each of the 10 items I do wear be of high quality.

This does not mean casual dress, such as not wearing a jacket or a tie, because pipers are expected to be dressed professionally.

(On certain extremely hot days I might pipe wearing a waistcoat instead of a jacket.)

[Aussie_Don]

, Jock.
Side-note: Pish-Posh! Anatomically impossible and rather cheeky, Artroland.

Ummm..... In the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology museum
in the 1960s, they had Dillinger's "equipment". Let's just say
that it was impressive and leave it at that.

-Don

[Aussie_Don]

What strikes me in this photo is the drabness of the drummers in their Pipe Band kit compared to the colourful dress of the other men.

Unless my eyes are failing me, that looks very like a MacGregor tartan --
one of the brighter choices. Not sure what the bandsmen are wearing,
but it is certainly more subdued.

-Don

[Aussie_Don]

As I may have mentioned, my first kilt was part of
an outfit. Since I did not want formal wear, and
the budget didn't really extend to an Argylle jacket,
I was left looking at Jacobite style options. I didn't
think that I wanted to buy shoes over the Net, so
I got a waistcoat instead. Since I wear it for folk
festivals and band gigs (Ceilidh) I guess it pretty
much works.

But I have added a pair of Ghillie Brogues, mostly
because I thought they were "expected".
I also generally carry a Sgian Dubh, because I see
it as part of the tradition. (Though I have a "dummy"
for places where I think that the real deal might
make security people uncomfortable.) But I've
tried to avoid the really flashy ones with jeweled
hilts -- not my style. My new favourite is in antiqued
pewter with a MacGregor crest.

Having read this, I'll be much more ready to head
out with plain black leather shoes, solid colour hose,
and a plain shirt -- I'll keep the celtic knot buckle
and the plain black sporan. (May drop back to plain
black flashes, as well.)

So, I've been educated that it is not absolutely essential
to "tic all of the boxes".

Thanks,

-Don