Freedom in Tradition

[Bugbear]

MacBug, Plain and unadorned is for the Beautiful People.

For the rest of us, there is interesting clothing.


My lovely date, who doesn't need the Stewart Royal tartan to make her legs look good, is a good sport who likes to "match". Her legwear came from eBay. The brand is probably Pamela Mann and can be bought in the UK, though there are also Japanese brands available.





Purity of line is an admirable and noble concept, but now and then, some of us enjoy the clever twist. The difference between boring and elegant can be pretty small, once you get away from who is doing the describing. I realize that some tartans lean towards the subdued, especially some of the modern ones, but most are bright and colorful and vibrant. A colorful and vibrant tartan can either be complemented by quiet and dignified accompaniments or it can be set off by equally vibrant ones. On a festive occasion, why settle for just one Roman candle?

This is one of the reasons I no longer attempt to wear Highland attire. I am a "Lowlander."

Just getting in touch again with my bland and boring roots.

I'm sure your lovely date appreciated the fireworks.

[CMcG]

DAMN!!!! Where are the photos?

Here's one but I see two question marks for other pics that are missing.

[English Bloke]

Here's the other one...

[Cygnus]

All of this talk made me think of MacLowlife's wonderful dress slippers with silver skull and crossbones embroidery. While they may not be everyone's cup of tea, they certainly show a great deal of individuality while staying within the framework of the rules.

Add to that Sandy's lovely (and equally "flashy") doublet, and I think I have a very good idea of what the OP is talking about.

I'll see if I can't find the picture of MacLowlife in those shoes...

EDIT: Here it is!

[wildrover]

Where you (pl) find her stockings?

[Bugbear]

What is wrong with being plain and unadorned?

[Tobus]

CMcG, you've certainly hit the nail on the head. That's the real 'meat' of the issue when it comes to Highland attire, and (thankfully) there's a lot of room for individuality.

To tie in Bugbear's question, here's the way I understand the whole issue of THCD. It is most definitely NOT Saxon-style dress, which tends toward the "plain and unadorned". If one wants to be plain and unadorned, the choice is simple: wear trousers! But the Highland tradition calls for a bit more show. And while there is a lot of leeway within THCD, one can indeed go "too far", by (as discussed in another thread) "overdoing the bling".

Certainly there's nothing wrong, per se, by going with the rented-kilt look, where every part of one's attire is perfectly within the norm. It will still look ten times more interesting than a guy wearing trousers. But within the Highland manner of dress, even that is a bit hum-drum and plain. There's a lot of room for individuality and uniqueness and personal flair without going too far. And that, of course, is the subject of much discussion and disagreement. But it's also half the fun of wearing a kilt and being a part of this wonderful tradition!

At the end of the day, though, I absolutely agree with you and cannot stress enough that we should all remember it's a tradition, not a uniform.

[Ancienne Alliance]

I love this Thread.

Thank you all !


Best,

Robert

[Bugbear]

In response to Tobus and MacLowlife; Just so it isn't misunderstood...

I was not intending to say that you all should dress plainly and unadorned, or that there is anything wrong with Highland evening attire.

I think it can be very attractive. I personally do not feel comfortable wearing all the silver buttons, chains, cantles and so on, so I have to keep separate in my mind, what I would feel comfortable wearing, and what might look good on other people.

It's just not my way. It's also not my way to get bent out of shape if some other guest is dressed in some other way than I. Were I the host... That is who should be concerned about what the other guests are wearing.

[Bugbear]

You guys are jurking my emotions around with this "buzz-word-ism" business. I need to get it out of my head, so:
From Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. (Random House Reference, CD-ROM V3.0, 1999).

authoritarian:

1. favoring complete obedience or subjection to authority as opposed to individual freedom: authoritarian principles; authoritarian attitudes.
2. of or pertaining to a governmental or political system, principle, or practice in which individual freedom is held as completely subordinate to the power or authority of the state, centered either in one person or a small group that is not constitutionally accountable to the people.
3. exercising complete or almost complete control over the will of another or of others: an authoritarian parent.
–n.
4. a person who favors or acts according to authoritarian principles.

I'll try to shut up now.