over doing the bling?

[Mark E.]

OK I am keeping the pot boiling here-----not criticising-----but I do wonder if we have a cultural thing going here? I think so and I suppose it is almost inevitable.


You chaps new and fairly new to kilt wearing, in an environment that does not necessarily understand the finer points of kilt wearing and living in a more "up front" society seem to have the need to do "the peacock" bit. Particularly as it seems that the opportunity does not arise that often.

I wonder if I am getting a handle on this at last?

Maybe I mispoke and folk took me in the literal(I am still cringing at myself for mis-representing myself in an earlier post concerning my reasoning behind the request for photos of your own native land)...Quality over Quantity was my original intent, here... As far as for what a Scot would absolutely NOT DO (in response to the wearing of "certain things" to and with certain things)...Perhaps taking a step back and evaluating the "why" as well as the "if" of what we do is a sensible thing.

To be sure though, the gap in things, as far as "Big dealish". Most days I am a "business casual American". No bling, no flash-but in my (original)hometown, I come across as "dapper". I can imagine kilt wearers viewed here much in the same light as "cowboys" across the water. Indeed, many cultural attire choices are out of place, and due to such sensitivities, I have held to the last eras of my own familiy ties-which is quite a bit ago. I have not been in a black or white tie event of any sort, by chance or by choice. My class, current and past, have not given me opportunity for such things-and given that I tend to be painfully aware of my own shortcomings...If in the future such would come to pass, I would likely make a concious effort to not be overwhelming from any angle.

[Jock Scot]

Perhaps its one of those
Masonic things that we don't know about, one can't help but smile though.

[Urchurdan]

Oh aye, your right Jock, they haven't got trooser legs to roll up, so they whip the kilt round the wrong way - well spotted....

[McClef]

There used to be an ad on UK TV that carried the slogan "Watch out! Watch out! There's a Humphrey about!"

Was it for milk?

Or was it about what Jock thinks Humphrey is about...

[macwilkin]

Perhaps its one of those
Masonic things that we don't know about, one can't help but smile though.

The chaps in question are members of the "Knights of St. Andrew", a service organisation associated with the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite - Southern Jurisdiction (AASR) here in the states. Chapters may be found at a number of AASR "Valleys" throughout the Southern Jurisdiction, and the organisation is based on the 29th Degree of Pike's Scottish Rite Degrees, which makes reference to Robert the Bruce & the legend of the Templars at Bannockburn.

Many of the groups have little to no experience with Highland attire, and so the choice of "uniform" can be quite...interesting.

T.

[Jock Scot]

Its not for me to like or dislike Sandy, they are your outfits after all. In fact I did think of the far western outposts around Oban and their penchant for rather more "adventurous" outfits, but I tried not to complicate things! Actually, whilst I prefer the rather less "adventurous" dress attire myself,the outfits that you describe and wear are absolutely traditional and given another life I could go down the route that you have.

[thescot]

I'm something of a dabbler compared to some here, but I am very careful in my dress most of the time, whether kilted of riding a Harley.

For black tie, I try to keep it very simple: kilt, white shirt with black bow tie, PC and either a three-button waistcoat or a belt with large silver Hose would likely be dark solid color or maybe tartan.

For more formal, probably a Montrose with jabot and a white fur sporran with black tassels. Same shoes with tartan hose and red ribbon flashes. I might even wear a jeweled dirk if I am feeling foxy, and my sgian would likely be either the small jeweled one or the crown stag antler with silver disc on the pommel. I believe in bling for very dressy occassions, but I tone it down for black tie.

If I want to really make a splash, i would wear my great kilt with the Montrose; it looks quite striking. And I would always wear a black bonnet for both.

[Tobus]

I apologize if this seems OT or snobbish, or both, but I am trying to point out that (Saxon) white tie is as cookie cutter as you can get, while Scots white tie is anything but.

That is quite possibly the most profound statement in this whole thread, and it is a point very well taken.

I've always been told that (in Saxon dress, anyway) a gentleman should always dress for formal events in such a manner that the day after, no one should be able to remember what he wore. All color and 'bling' is supposed to be worn by his lady, and she is the one who is supposed to attract the attention, not him.

With Highland attire, from all I've seen, it's quite the opposite. With that in mind, 'bling' should be perfectly acceptable up to the point just shy of where it just looks foolish.

[AFS1970]

...With that in mind, 'bling' should be perfectly acceptable up to the point just shy of where it just looks foolish.

Finding that elusive line and not crossing it would be the point then, wouldn't it?

[MacLowlife]

Finding that elusive line and not crossing it would be the point then, wouldn't it?

To borrow a phrase from DECO,
They know their limits cause they cross 'em every night.


Sometimes, the only way to know how far is too far is to go there. And sometimes, we only realize years later that we may have gone too far. Luckily, there is generally someone who has gone even further.