Highlanders Discuss Highland Attire

[Darkislander]

I see kilted people every other week when processing photos. Probably mainly hired, socks up to the knees, kilt hanging over them and that counts for 90% of what I see. They make the mistake of wearing it where they normally would have their trousers sit.

[MacLowlife]

I LOVE this thread and the information, but I have to say, Darkislander, your post reminded me of a movie

I SEE KILTED PEOPLE...

[Tartan Hiker]

Excellent thread, folks.

If David or some of the contributors would like to suggest an alternate title for this thread, I or one of the other moderators would be happy to change it for you.

[Redshank]

As I see it Kilt wearers fall into distinct categories here in Scotland

1) The Old School - staunch traditionalist, Me and Jock for example, we know how to and more to the point when to wear the kilt, to us the kilt is everything, but not everything, we wear tweed jackets, coloured hose, balmoral bonnets, shirt and tie, we are comfortable wearing it, we are not self concious, to us it's just a way of dressing, we even have hand me down ancestral kilts and accessories.

2) The New School - Traditionalist with a modern flare, Paul and Cessna fall into this category, they love to wear the kilt in a traditional manner but aren't afriad to try something different, modern multi coloured boots, contemporary kilts etc, they know how to wear the kilt, are comfortable wearing the kilt, keen to expand and improve their kilt collections and accessories.

3) The Hire School - Non kilt owning wearers, traditional in the hire shop sense of the word, white hose, ghillie brogues, ill fitting kilt, dress sporran for daywear, pc jacket, they will wear the kilt for special occassions, graduations, weddings etc, they may eventually go onto buy their own kilt and after a few years, then learn that they didn't actually know it all when their interest takes them into the real world of kilting.

4) The Desperate School - So desperate are these folk to own a kilt that they go to a food chain store and buy a complete kilt outfit for £1.99, they wear it to every possible event, the pub, the rugby, weddings, funerals, they put on weight or the kilt shrinks, they then take it to the nearest kilt makers for adjustment, are shocked to find the adjustment charge is more than they paid for the kilt, so they don't pay and just go back to the food store and buy a bigger £1.99 kilt, they think they look great, in reality they look like the sacks of potato's in the foodstore.

that's basically my take on it, you will however note the abscence of measurement, here in Scotland the 8 yard knife pleat is king, you wont find 4 and 5 yard box pleats, you wont find contemporary kilts, except in Edinburgh, and he is away on holiday most of the time or so it would appear from reports on here, but you will see far too often white hose, ghillie brogues and dress sporrans at highland games, daytime weddings ceilidh's, to re-iterate, there are those in the know, and those who haven't a clue except whatthe rental man tells them.

[Phil]

As I see it Kilt wearers fall into distinct categories here in Scotland

1) The Old School - staunch traditionalist, Me and Jock for example,
2) The New School - Traditionalist with a modern flare (flair?), Paul and Cessna
3) The Hire School - Non kilt owning wearers

4) The Desperate School

you wont find contemporary kilts, except in Edinburgh, and he is away on holiday most of the time or so it would appear from reports on here .... there are those in the know, and those who haven't a clue except what the rental man tells them.

I would cut that down to two categories, those that own their own kilt and those who hire one now and again. The people who own one usually have one that fits properly and know how to wear it. The others are a mixed bunch, some know somebody to keep them right and the rest - well we know about them don't we? And isn't it nice to be able to look down our noses at all those poor unfortunates who know no better?

[Jock Scot]

Well said Chris. Your categories are so right. I think that the hire companies are largely responsible for the eroding of highland attire dress standards. In my book' they should be offering to educate those that could welcome some guidance as part of their service.It seems they don't care and the making of money for the least effort and consideration is all they are interested in.

As for the last group, well, there is no hope for them. It makes me cringe, it used to make me angry, now I can't be bothered with them-------do I like it? No I damn well don't.

[creagdhubh]

As I see it Kilt wearers fall into distinct categories here in Scotland

1) The Old School - staunch traditionalist, Me and Jock for example, we know how to and more to the point when to wear the kilt, to us the kilt is everything, but not everything, we wear tweed jackets, coloured hose, balmoral bonnets, shirt and tie, we are comfortable wearing it, we are not self concious, to us it's just a way of dressing, we even have hand me down ancestral kilts and accessories.

2) The New School - Traditionalist with a modern flare, Paul and Cessna fall into this category, they love to wear the kilt in a traditional manner but aren't afriad to try something different, modern multi coloured boots, contemporary kilts etc, they know how to wear the kilt, are comfortable wearing the kilt, keen to expand and improve their kilt collections and accessories.

3) The Hire School - Non kilt owning wearers, traditional in the hire shop sense of the word, white hose, ghillie brogues, ill fitting kilt, dress sporran for daywear, pc jacket, they will wear the kilt for special occassions, graduations, weddings etc, they may eventually go onto buy their own kilt and after a few years, then learn that they didn't actually know it all when their interest takes them into the real world of kilting.

4) The Desperate School - So desperate are these folk to own a kilt that they go to a food chain store and buy a complete kilt outfit for £1.99, they wear it to every possible event, the pub, the rugby, weddings, funerals, they put on weight or the kilt shrinks, they then take it to the nearest kilt makers for adjustment, are shocked to find the adjustment charge is more than they paid for the kilt, so they don't pay and just go back to the food store and buy a bigger £1.99 kilt, they think they look great, in reality they look like the sacks of potato's in the foodstore.

that's basically my take on it, you will however note the abscence of measurement, here in Scotland the 8 yard knife pleat is king, you wont find 4 and 5 yard box pleats, you wont find contemporary kilts, except in Edinburgh, and he is away on holiday most of the time or so it would appear from reports on here, but you will see far too often white hose, ghillie brogues and dress sporrans at highland games, daytime weddings ceilidh's, to re-iterate, there are those in the know, and those who haven't a clue except whatthe rental man tells them.

I am amongst your ranks for option number one! Sometimes I see where the future of Highland dress is going, and I count my blessings that I am stuck in the past, and I am only 28 years old! Where did this knowledge and appreciation for the old school, traditional ways of wearing Highland attire come from? One answer, my grandfather, Lewis H. Macpherson Sr..

[OC Richard]

perhaps in addition to Redshank's categories is the kilt becoming more and more common amongst supporters of Scotland's football and rugby teams... part of #4 I suppose.

[Jack Daw]

perhaps in addition to Redshank's categories is the kilt becoming more and more common amongst supporters of Scotland's football and rugby teams... part of #4 I suppose.

In May 2003, I saw the Glasgow Celtics packing the airport waiting to fly to Spain, filling the terminal with their chants and fight song while wearing their green-and-white-striped jerseys and wedding kilts.

[KFCarter]

This is a five-star thread, gentlemen. Thanks