Too Traditional?

[CMcG]

Is it possible to wear the kilt too traditionally?

This topic was prompted by something someone said to me here in Hong Kong a while back. I was doing the dress rehearsal for a Chinese lion dance at an event, when the organizer suggested that I needed to do some different, more modern moves. The kung fu club who taught me this particular dance, and who I was representing at the event, prefers a more traditional lion dance, so I told the coordinator as much. She replied "you're not a traditional performer," which seemed to imply that because I'm not Chinese, I should be doing a modern version of this dance. Not that I shouldn't be doing lion dance, rather that as a non-Chinese I shouldn't be doing it so traditionally

My question then, would mostly apply to non-Scots, both those in Scotland of non-Scottish blood and the Scottish diaspora. It could perhaps also apply to Scots in Scotland who are new to kilt-wearing and don't have a family tradition to fall back on. I'm not looking for a discussion about whether or not such people should or should not wear the kilt. Let's start from the position of they are going to wear, so how best to do so?

What could too traditional mean? I'm not exactly sure.... but I'm not talking about things that are obviously not traditional, like historical reenactment or the everythingCLANcrested-whitehose-PC-ghilliebrogues-flyplaid-waistcoatANDbelt-before6PM look. Maybe more like kilt "power-moves," such as mixing colours and patterns, full mask sporrans, doublets, etc. Maybe also like borderline revival things such as box pleated/kingussie kilts, patterned hose or horsehair sporrans for daywear, etc.

Despite my sympathies and interest in non-traditional kilt stuff, the vast majority of my kiltwearing is traditional. I personally think traditional is the best way to enjoy the kilt, but have been made leery of overdoing it...

[thescot]

Nope, can't be too traditional.

[Bugbear]

Nope, can't be too traditional.

Perhaps, but it isn't my tradition, and that does cause some difficulties. So, do I apply my traditions to the kilt, or give up my traditions to wear the kilt traditionally?

[rondo]

Perhaps, but it isn't my tradition, and that does cause some difficulties. So, do I apply my traditions to the kilt, or give up my traditions to wear the kilt traditionally?

Do it your way Ted. It really is "just clothing".
Rondo

[Elf]

Often we say traditional when we mean historical. Tradition does gradually grow. Generally not radically however. On the other hand we have sort of defined this sub-forum as historical, just of a more recent period. I dare not stretch the envelope more at this time.

[rondo]

Okay, I'll play...
I like trad tartan kilts. But, no flashes or garter ties for me. I feel they serve no purpose. I hold my kilt socks [hose] up with nylon goat collars I bought at a local feed store, less than $5.00, nice buckle with a keeper for the end. I also feel that kilt pins are superfluous but since no one seems to know what to buy me for Christmas or birthdays I have several so I wear them all from time to time. I despise baseball caps...never wear them, I've worn berets for years as well as quality felt hats. You'll see me sporting berets with kilt as well as Rasta berets, and balmorals/tams and even [God forbid] a black, brown, or straw derby and every now and then a flat cap worn backwards. I never wear a visible sgian dhub... I feel if one goes about armed he should have the good sense to keep it well hidden. So, there you go...dressed such, I venture out into the world...If anyone has noticed that it isn't quite per "Code" they haven't said anything one way or the other.
Rondo
BTW, CMcG, Stand by for some pics in a few weeks of my new, non-trad jacket...I think you'll appreciate it.

[OC Richard]

I like trad tartan kilts. But, no flashes... I also feel that kilt pins are superfluous... I never wear a visible sgian dubh...

You are being VERY traditional with every one of these choices!

Only 16 of the 56 kilted men seen in The Highlanders of Scotland portraits (1860s) are wearing flashes.

Only 6 kilt pins are to be seen. (To be fair, only 27 of the 56 men have that part of the kilt clearly visible.)

Only 17 of the 56 are wearing sgian dubhs.

[rondo]

You are being VERY traditional with every one of these choices!

Hmmmm, interesting Richard. I wear things as I do for comfort and practicality. Who would have thought?
Rondo

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Since this is in the traditional forum, and not the contemporary forum, I'll side with Jim: one can't be too traditional, but one can easily cross over the line into the realm of sartorial absurdity when trying to be "contemporary".

As far as the Lion Dance is concerned, it sounds to me as if the choreographer wanted a different interpretation of this dance than you were providing-- I doubt it had anything to do with your not being Chinese. Put another way, it was not so much a matter of clashing cultures as it was a difference in artistic vision.

[Bugbear]

Oops, I didn't notice this is the traditional kilt forum and I was kind of looking at the question backward. Sorry about that