A Question of Taste...

[MacLowlife]

I keep thinking about the difference between "traditional" and "conservative". Traditional is a flannel sportcoat with metal buttons. A conservative one is navy blue, but a bright red, yellow, or green one can still traditional, even one made from patches of madras or tartan. Somehow, I do not think of a black one as being either, no matter how sleek and sober it might be...

And this connects directly to my own evolving taste in highland dress, which is mostly traditional. Before XMTS, I based most of my kiltwear decisions on Charles Thompson's SO YOU'RE GOING TO WEAR THE KILT, on personal observation, and on sound personal advice. That led to a few actions I regret, such as buying and wearing a ( MoD Issue) piper's (bandsman's) jacket for civilian black tie. It really didn't look bad, but then neither did Bertie's white mess jacket, I expect. It is heavy and it is hot as the devil, though.

I have enjoyed seeing the broad range of kiltwear displayed on XMTS, but I can't say that I have changed many ideas. I have just learned to keep my mouth shut about the ones that are less universally held in these parts. Some of what I have learned here I also keep to myself elsewhere. I didn't need a lot of convincing about white hose, but I am not going to bother most of my kilted friends who still wear them, or fly plaids, or funny shoes that do not look like MY funny shoes.

Think back to a childhood time before you traveled. You had ideas about things and you had a wardrobe, whether or not you spent a lot of time and energy on it. At some point, you traveled farther, maybe to study or to work. As money and availability allowed, you got more clothes. If you were like me, you bought a few things that turned out not to be as cool as you first thought and you may even have wanted something for a long time, then changed your mind before you actually got it.

Chances are, if our tastes didn't evolve, we'd all still be wearing sailor suits and cowboy boots. ( But then, a lot of people DO wear cowboy boots and at least bell bottomed trousers.)

I wonder, as I type this, what effect adding a pipe major to the Village People might have.

Somebody already pointed out the shift from costume to attire. I guess that is the single biggest step I have taken and the one I would most heartily recommend.

Thanks one and all for this great post and the great contributions.

as aye,

M'll

[Bugbear]

I wonder, as I type this, what effect adding a pipe major to the Village People might have.

[Teufel Hunden]

How would you define your taste in kilt attire?

I like to go for "Tasteful, but noticeable." When I'm in a suit, for example, I might go for a classic look, but wear a tie that's just a bit louder than everyone else's. So in a room full of men in suits, someone might scan the room and notice mine specifically, in a positive way. "These business meetings are so boring.... oh hey, nice tie."

Highland wear is generally the same when I'm just out and about, though I generally avoid tweed and all the standard materials used.

Formal wear, it just depends on what the event is, and is my most favorite of all kilted outings. I think your standard faire men's black/white tie is incredibly dull and almost dreary, with all the men wearing the same thing... but simply picking a kilt to wear changes all that. I like to stand out a bit more for formal things. I might replace a jabot with a cravat, or something along those lines, or find another way to be a bit unique in an otherwise uniformed room.

What is/are your main influence(s)? Have they changed over time?

I like classic style mixed with a bit of modern flare. Old photos from the 40s, 50s, and 60s are big influences for me, as well as some of the old black and white pics, of which this site is full. I like to take some of these older looks and ad a touch of my own modern tastes. Back to the suit example, I might be the only guy my age in a room wearing a 3 piece with a pocket watch, but I'll have a Psycho Bunny tie on, or something similar.

My influences have changed greatly over the last decade or so... back in the day, while I could certainly dress well if I had to, I didn't go out of my way to do it like I do now. Back then I had few influences and my tastes were defined by what could be had at the closest store that looked decent on me.

How has Xmarks contributed to how you approach the kilt?

XMarks has shot me down on a couple ill fated ideas, steered me in the right direction on some good ideas, and all around filled my head with more info than I can process. My only regret is I only found this forum a couple years ago and not when it was first created.

[ForresterModern]

How would you define your taste in kilt attire?

Generally traditional but slightly modernized dressy wear, traditional kilt with modern semi-casual wear (not tweed but no scrunched hose either)---I would coin it modern American traditional wear or traditonal American casual wear (I know there are somei inherent contradictions in those descriptions).

What is/are your main influence(s)? Have they changed over time?
Photos and discussions here. Although I do not follow each and every suggestion or "rule" I do try to utilize them as guidelines to base my own style on. I mean afterall, I am still a member of the Flatcap Confederation, and wear them a lot, with the kilt, and sometimes post photos of such if only to get a small piece of Jock Scot's goat.

How has Xmarks contributed to how you approach the kilt?
Educated me to detail and quality, refined my sense of propriety and situation and dressing appropriately for it.

j

[OC Richard]

How would I define my tastes in Highland Dress?

My "eye" remains basically influenced by the Highland Dress which evolved in the early part of the 20th century, a dress with distinct categories (Day, Evening, Military) but at the same time I have a love for the pre-modern styles of the mid-to late 19th century.

So here's how I appeared at a recent gig, a Burns Supper. It's basic modern traditional Highland Dress but with an antique c1900 style sporran.



I like everything to be sharp-looking but at the same time simple, comfortable, and practical.
You'll note I have no waistcoat or belt.
That sporran can hold a load of stuff.

[Legba]

How would you define your taste in kilt attire?
MUG's Kilts and all. Casual and eclectic. Few rules, it's part of my clothes.

What is/are your main influence(s)? Have they changed over time?
I try not to wear sandles and white socks anymore, other than that I'm pretty open.

How has Xmarks contributed to how you approach the kilt?
XMarks has not changed the way I get dressed, but I sure enjoy the knowledge exchange.

[gary meakin]

How would you define your taste in kilt attire?
I try to be traditional but I'm sure I fall short of "what's just not done " once in a while.

What is/are your main influence(s)? Have they changed over time?
My influences were Highland Games at the beginning. I have an uncle who wore the kilt as far back as I can remember. The biggest change is probably due to my getting older. When I was younger I wore hiking boots and scrunched down hiking socks, jacobite shirts or clever t-shirts, Rob Roy sporran. I;m in my 50s now and tend to lean more towards tweed jacket, tie, etc.
How has Xmarks contributed to how you approach the kilt?
Xmarks has been a wealth of information in the short time I've been here. I've put my white and cream colored hose away, along with the jacobite shirts. I've also seen quite a bit that has shown me what not to do, whether intentional or not That's one of the best things about this forum. The exchange of ideas and the vast amount of differences. I've learned so much and I'm sure I have a lot more to learn.