Fashion Kilts

**ali8780** · 13th February 11, 07:10 PM

Oh, also, I thought I'd include this link to Rag & Bone's off the rack line just so you can see some contrast. it's from last fall, so not the same collection, but you can still get the idea of how they tone things down for dashing and smart dressing guys like all of you:

Click here

And also you'll see what I mean about price. This is going to be their lowest price point, and I know we couldn't afford $220 for a plaid men's shirt.

As for the kilts from this next fall's line, I'd be utterly shocked if they made it into their ready to wear line, and I'd be even more shocked if the department store buyers purchased very many of them.

See what happens when you guys get me talking about fashion?? I just never shut up.

**OftKilted** · 13th February 11, 08:02 PM

While I don't particularly go for the kilts themselves, the jackets to go with them are interesting. And the sporran that was shown is an interesting modern take.

**artificer** · 14th February 11, 05:15 AM

ali8780 has the complete right of the situation.

Fashion isn't for mere mortals to "get", and gents, most of us here qualify for that status (in a good way

)

In theory, fashion on the runway is the most extreme concept of what will eventually be a ready to wear look.

Are peaked lapels in this year? Then they will be VERY pronounced. Are skirts short? Then on the runway they will be so short as to resemble belts.

The auto show analogy is an excellent one.

Coming out of the design industry as I did, we studied one season's fashion trends, as they would be affecting us in interiors the next season.

Fashion churns; sometimes it churns up gems, lots of time it churns up... sediment. It's always exciting to watch the motion, though.

BTW: for those interested in the concept, there are whole businesses dedicated to the concept of "What colours will be in next season(s)". Do a search for "colour marketing group".

ith:

Edit: I do agree that without a sporran these look a LOT more like skirts than kilts.

**The Barry** · 14th February 11, 03:34 PM

While I understand that fashion shows are a showcase for fashion that may never make it to the street, this still seems a bit off.

I'm not saying that the models should be dressed traditionally, far from it. But the apron going the wrong way? That just seems like an amateur-level mistake to me. I'm trying to play the 'devil's advocate' and say that it was a purposeful decision, but I'm not convinced. I think that maybe this designer just simply didn't do his/her homework.

**Dixiecat** · 14th February 11, 10:05 PM

Your first statement has you saying that 'I'm not saying that the models should be dressed traditionally, far from it' and then saying that the way the kilt is closed is such an 'amateur-level mistake'. You've contradicted yourself.

I think that maybe this designer just simply didn't do his/her homework.

Maybe they did indeed do their homework and they decided to turn the silly ideas of the women left, men right closure thing on it's head? Maybe they want to be as far from traditional as they can get?

**Dale Seago** · 14th February 11, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by Dixiecat

Maybe they did indeed do their homework and they decided to turn the silly ideas of the women left, men right closure thing on it's head? Maybe they want to be as far from traditional as they can get?

Actually I think that's entirely probable.

Which is not to say I like it. I don't.

But I think it's a strong probability.

**Spartan Tartan** · 15th February 11, 08:11 AM

A very interesting thread and I enjoy how it has evolved...although, the closures to the left and right (male/female)--I am not as convinced that it was "intentional" or that it was done specifically to throw tradition to the wind. The mens' shirts are still buttoned according to tradition, are they not? Perhaps, the designer is truly just "going over the top".

Until I read some of the posts from Ali and others, I really have never understood fashion shows. Honestly, I barely understand it anyway. I can't imagine why you would not just show the clothing that you hope to sell...but that's just my lack of fashion understanding.

If the intent is to gain media attention or generate a buzz...then mission success, if you ask me.

**Dixiecat** · 15th February 11, 08:50 AM

I am not as convinced that it was "intentional" or that it was done specifically to throw tradition to the wind

I'm not trying to convince anyone, I'm just pointing out that just 'looking' at the clothing does not tell you the whole story. And, just because a shirt is one way and the kilt another still doesn't point to a 'mistake'. No one knows what goes on in a designer's head until they watch those behind the scenes interviews. Personally, I'd just advise you to take it all at face value and suspend your beliefs and traditions. Just concentrate on fabric play and colours, and quality.

**ali8780** · 15th February 11, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan

A very interesting thread and I enjoy how it has evolved...although, the closures to the left and right (male/female)--I am not as convinced that it was "intentional" or that it was done specifically to throw tradition to the wind. The mens' shirts are still buttoned according to tradition, are they not? Perhaps, the designer is truly just "going over the top".

Until I read some of the posts from Ali and others, I really have never understood fashion shows. Honestly, I barely understand it anyway. I can't imagine why you would not just show the clothing that you hope to sell...but that's just my lack of fashion understanding.

If the intent is to gain media attention or generate a buzz...then mission success, if you ask me.

I don't blame you at all. It took me quite a long time to appreciate fashion shows for what they are and not focus on what they aren't, and I'm a woman who has always loved fashion, design, and clothing construction.

It's such a fascinating industry though, to fully understand it, you'd need to take a history lesson. If you understood the fashion industry as it was half a century or more ago, what it is today will make much more sense. Fashion shows were in their infancy a place to showcase what the customer could buy. These garments were hand made and custom fitted to the customer. This comprised the majority of couturiers' business. But, as time progressed, and as industry began to pick up the slack, we were introduced to mass produced clothing. Now, instead of having a closet with a handful of extremely well made clothes that fit you like a glove, are classic in style, and high quality meant to last a lifetime, we have the option of purchasing "disposable clothing" if you will. It's fast, cheap, and short lived both in style and wear, and meant to fit a standard size that really doesn't represent the majority of people. Of course we still have fashion shows, and you can actually purchase the clothing featured. This is called Haute Couture, and there are about ten people on the entire planet that are wealthy enough to afford it. It is still handmade and custom fitted.

Now, what do fashion shows have to do with you, you ask? If you buy your clothes at Gap for example, the designer/s for Gap will have attended these fashion shows and take the same ideas and implement them into their own designs. Purchasers for department stores will also attend fashion shows to get an idea of what is "in style" for a particular season so that they can sell as much as they can to us. Even designers for home sewing pattern companies will take ideas from these fashion shows. So in essence, the designers who are fortunate enough to show their collections are the clothing gods who determine what it is that you and I will be wearing from season to season.

You really should watch the Devil Wears Prada, you'll get to see how some of this kinda works, and you'll get to see Ann Hathaway bat her beautiful and enormous brown eyes.