Kilt Orientation Issues

**tpa** · 24th January 15, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

Do yourself a favor and google "traditional Scottish Burns dinner kilt outfit" and see what the first 20 images look like. Notice how many of them are from actual Scottish based websites. Scary is it not?

Then notice how far down you have to look to find a pic from X Marks. And we are supposed to be the world's experts.

I'm pleased to say that that Google search in England, relegated the subject to page 2; however Xmarks did not appear until page 8.

**MacGumerait** · 25th January 15, 02:45 AM

Originally Posted by Kiltedjohn

It says in the article that he has been a member for 10 years, and is a past president. Has no one in the society put him right?!

I agree whole heartedly Kiltedjohn . If one reads the report on the OP's link , this is Mount Dora's 23 rd annual Burns Dinner .

Also according to the article , Mount Dora had a " Sister City " forged into creation by a Scottish visitor in 1988 which tied it to Forres , Scotland . This in turn formed the " Mount Dora Sister's City Association " .

In addition to all that , they also had a special " Mount Dora " tartan created and a student program between Forres , Scotland and Mount Dora .

Over this time period , the gentleman in the picture ( Mr. Gearing ) was a 10 year member of the "two cities association " with Forres , Scotland and also served as a president of this association .

Given the origin and history of the organization and that he was a member and a leader ... it is very odd to see him wearing a kilt backwards . I can understand some of the other attire mistakes , but not a backwards kilt ... given his experience . One might expect that from a " Newbie " , but according to the report , he is not a newbie .

Normally , I would give this a pass .

However , this gent doesn't have the excuse of " not knowing better " .

**BadenochWolf** · 25th January 15, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

<snip>About wearing everything one is entitled to, all I can say (never having served myself) is that my grandfather, a WWI veteran, with a Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, Croix le Guerre, and so forth only wore, with the civilian attire he wore after he left the Army, a miniature of the Silver Star in his lapel.

From what I can tell, his Mess Dress jacket and decorations are put on according to regs, even if he's wearing it with utterly non-regulation attire. This is the Army's version of dinner clothes ("tux" OR tailcoat, just swap the black tie & cummerbund for a white tie & vest) why he would choose to wear it with a day sporran and long tie is utterly beyond me. I want to buy him a 3-button PC vest & black tie and send them to him anonymously.

**kiltedtom** · 25th January 15, 08:29 AM

Could it be that he only has a day sporran? And, perhaps, he is wearing the best of what he has. Not sure Mr. Burns was there to complain about it.

Relax, people.

Tom

**Liam** · 25th January 15, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by kiltedtom

Could it be that he only has a day sporran? And, perhaps, he is wearing the best of what he has. Not sure Mr. Burns was there to complain about it.

Relax, people.

Tom

And it would be my understanding that our beloved Mr. Burns is unlikely to have ever donned a kilt himself, so he might be just as ignorant of where the pleats belong.

Btw, Happy Burns day to all!

**Chaps** · 25th January 15, 03:04 PM

I attended a Burns Supper last night and while I saw no one wearing a kilt backwards, there was plenty that would have made most of you (us) roll your (our)eyes. That said, a good time was had by all and the work and life of Burns was celebrated. The food was good as was the music and company. Having some people improperly dressed did not dampen the mood at all.

**pn1scott** · 25th January 15, 07:43 PM

The kilt is definitely on backwards and (my opinion) the sporran is worn too high. But the military uniform looks good. What is not known is if this gent is a member of the Scottish-American Military Society. SAMS post commanders can authorize the wear of the uniform to events such as Burns Dinners, Dining-Ins and so forth. The SAMS uniform has no obvious insignia while wearing the military mess dress uniform, so it would appear to others as mixing official uniform items with civilian clothing.

**BadenochWolf** · 25th January 15, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by pn1scott

The kilt is definitely on backwards and (my opinion) the sporran is worn too high. But the military uniform looks good. What is not known is if this gent is a member of the Scottish-American Military Society. SAMS post commanders can authorize the wear of the uniform to events such as Burns Dinners, Dining-Ins and so forth. The SAMS uniform has no obvious insignia while wearing the military mess dress uniform, so it would appear to others as mixing official uniform items with civilian clothing.

As I understand it, in SAMS mess dress attire, one would wear everything above the kilt as though one were wearing the mess dress of one's particular service. This gent is not doing that. That is where I take umbrage. He's conflating an evening jacket with a daytime shirt and tie.

**pn1scott** · 25th January 15, 11:02 PM

Ah...you are quite correct. I must apologize for the oversight.

**kiltedtom** · 27th January 15, 04:19 AM

Wow, I did not realize that there was an eleventh commandment: Thou shalt not mix evening and day clothes. To do so would makest thou seemeth to be uncivilized.

Albeit, in my opinion, there are many critical things in life with which we should be concerned. Which clothes are for the evening and which clothes are for the day do not rank high on that list. Not unless, of course, a person adheres to centuries old outdated snobbery of the aristocracy.

I thought this forum was to share a common interest and encourage people to enjoy wearing kilts, not criticize individuals because their styles are not our styles.

Tom