Traditonal vs. Historical

[adempsey10]

Ha! You guys don't know heat! Where I live it reaches 100*F on many summer days. Doc Martens get worn often on my feet...with hose (scrunched down in the heat).

I mix modern and traditional together in an age-appropriate manner (I'm 28) and occasion-appropriate manner. What works for a pub night won't work for a Burns Supper.

we get those kinds of temperatures in the summer. Last week it was 35 (95f) with a feels like of 44 (111f) all week. It's a misconception that Canada is cold. We do get incredibly cold weather in the winter but our summers can also be brutally hot. The humidity is atrocious. I found it more comfortable in Italy because the heat was dry. It's horrible when you come out of the shower and still feel like you're wet two hours later because of the humidity.

[xman]

I would like to hold up this post as a marker in the birth of this new meme. Read again for yourselves with what ease and power Calgacus wields the terms in his search for self expression. We can all learn from his example.

Before this thread dies off, I'd like to add a comment as a new member here.

The main reason I joined was because I'd like to wear my kilt more often than just to the occasional formal event, the frequency of which seems to be getting less and less the older I get. I came here looking for inspiration and advice to help me to get a look that will be acceptable on the street in Scotland. TKSW describes this perfectly, MKAT or TKAG are close enough.

I was slightly surprised to find no specific sub-forum for this, which is fair enough I suppose, as it's supposed to be covered by the 'Traditionally made kilts...' forum as Steve says, but when I go there I see little content along the TKSW line. There seem to be some threads scattered about other parts of the forums, but now central point for that sort of discussion to crystallise.

At heart, I'm a traditionalist, and I would strive for the THCD look if it were not for my age. I feel that, at 45 years old, I fall between two stools. I could carry off the THCD look as a young man, and I'll be able to carry it off again when I'm older, but right now if I don my Lovat Argyll jacket I suddenly look 10 years older. If I go the full Tartan Army route I might look equally out of place, so I'm looking for a style that suits my age, hence the need for inspiration and advice.

I think the TKSW look is an important one because to my mind if kilt wearing is going to survive and expand (in Scotland at least), I feel this is the way it is likely to happen.

Calgacus, I do think, however, that you are wrong in thinking that you may choose one based on how far 'up' you are comfortable dressing. Let me doubly illustrate my meaning and offer alternate validation for my wounded fashion sense with an example. See me in this photo.

I am dressed well for a celebration, but whether it's the three button coat, the black shirt or the flat cap, somewhere I'm clearly out of step with THCD. Likewise, whatever acronym we choose should be able to embrace a full spectrum of personal styles and social levels of dress.

Personally I think TKSW emphasises the street too much and I can easily end up non THCD and non TKSW while out hiking trails so it doesn't serve me. Likewise TKAG may be too open with 'anything goes' to be meaningful. MKAT seems about right at first blush.

[TheOfficialBren]

we get those kinds of temperatures in the summer. Last week it was 35 (95f) with a feels like of 44 (111f) all week. It's a misconception that Canada is cold. We do get incredibly cold weather in the winter but our summers can also be brutally hot. The humidity is atrocious. I found it more comfortable in Italy because the heat was dry. It's horrible when you come out of the shower and still feel like you're wet two hours later because of the humidity.

Wow! I had no idea that it can get that warm in Canada. I hope to visit your beautiful country someday. Perhaps we can meet for a pint on the occasion, my friend.
Thanks for the heads-up about the weather up north.

[Father Bill]

Bren, check the latitude of the northern border of your California and the latitude of Canada's southernmost point. I think you'll be surprised.

Wow! I had no idea that it can get that warm in Canada. I hope to visit your beautiful country someday. Perhaps we can meet for a pint on the occasion, my friend.
Thanks for the heads-up about the weather up north.

[TheOfficialBren]

Bren, check the latitude of the northern border of your California and the latitude of Canada's southernmost point. I think you'll be surprised.

I just did. Surprise confirmed.

[Father Bill]

I just did. Surprise confirmed.

Thought you'd like that. I'm within easy driving distance of that southernmost point. Add to that that we get breezes off the water that raise the humidity but aren't a cooling sea-breeze and you get the point. In the winter however, those same breezes and the humidity in them turn into snow, so we get both extremes.

What you'll like from that situation, Bren, is that a heavyweight kilt is cool in summer because of the breeze, warm in winter because of the wool, and seems to have a "wicking" effect that reduces the humidity. It's actually an ideal garment about here.

We enjoy our climate!

[TheOfficialBren]

In my neck of the woods we essentially have the following seasons (and I loath the weather here): almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas.

[adempsey10]

In my neck of the woods we essentially have the following seasons (and I loath the weather here): almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas.

We have the following seasons: Summer, almost Winter, Super Winter and regular winter.

[Sir Didymous]

The running joke about the weather in my area is "If you don't like it, just stick around for about a half hour and it'll change."

I once had to yell to my niece and nephew "Don't throw snowballs at the house, the windows are open." Strange but true.

[Father Bill]

The version of that on "the Rock" (Newfoundland) is that if you look out the front door and don't like the weather... look out the back door.