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.

[BobsYourUncle]

Again my point is being made----it is from where I stand anyway!But its not what I think that matters here, it is what YOU think that interests me.

To go back to my question, "I am not saying you can't, but should we?"

I am posing the question that black tie events are generally not the time for too much "Bling" and I have asked an open question to what you think.Is this the time for the less is more effect?

Now white tie events are another matter entirely, peacock away to your hearts content!

Fascinating replies, thank you.

Reading through this thread, I come to find much more agreement than disagreement with the view carried by your question, Jock. Your view that less is more is generally and inherently the correct one. That being said, I do not think that less is more and bling are necessarily mutually exclusive. My take away from your advocacy for less is more is that one may be best off being thoughtful about one's choices, and should avoid getting carried away or not being too susceptible to the salesmanship of folks who want to have you buy a lot of unnecessary kit.

One of the greatest values of this forum, IMHO, is the opportunity to get your views and the views of other experienced "traditionalists" like MOR[Scott], Sandy, Thistledown and many others. I, for one, want to acheive some understanding of your taste. I'm afraid that since joining the forum, I rarely don kilted attire without thinking "what would this look like to Jock Scott's eye--would his reaction be thumbs up or down". Not that I would necessarily change my dress based on that estimation, but if I am going to violate the Jock Scott aesthetic, I want to do it on as informed a basis as possible, and through choice, not ignorance.

There is, admittedly, some tension between the traditionalist advocacy of less is more and some modes of dress much celebrated and admired on this forum, by many of the very same traditionalists who also advocate for the less is more aesthetic.

For example, I have been fascinated by the discussions in various threads about tartan waistcoats for formal attire, and the photos posted as examples. Some of the photos of PM John Burgess wearing the Full Monty [kitchen sink, as we have termed it in this thread], and wearing it with dash, presumably at a black tie occasion, demonstrate a set of confident fashion choices that comes from knowing a great deal about this mode of dress. For those of us who do not have access to a John Burgess as an uncle who could provide guidance, your guidance, Jock Scott, is invaluable.

One of the clarion points you have made is that black tie events do not support as much of the bling as many of us wear to them. I think that we should all take heed, and carefully consider that in laying out our kit for black tie events.

And thank you for your guidance!

[Jock Scot]

Alright we have all had cause to review things on this thread and I have had great fun and learnt a lot. Without sounding too crass it matters not what I think on how and what might be worn with the kilt-----I am happy with what I do-----it is down to you chaps to interpret what a wee tad of experiance can do for you, IF YOU SO WISH. My way is my way, but it is not the only way. I can only provoke thought by posing questions and you chaps thinking about the answers, whatever they may be.

On a lighter note, we have peacocks too. This is "Humphrey".

[azwildcat96]

On a lighter note, we have peacocks too. This is "Humphrey".

That bird is bling-tastic!

Now, if "Humphrey" were made into a sporran, would wearing "him" be considered wearing too much bling?

[Macman]

Nor would I; though I've read a couple of Scottish sources (admittedly a bit dated) that say that diced or tartan hose are necessary for evening wear and that buckle shoes are acceptable for such occasions.

Most seem to not like the fly plaid, so I fully intend to steer clear!

I take the same view. I've never lived in Scotland, so I've always taken much of what I know about traditional evening wear from my old books (especially McKinnon). In the case of diced or tartan hose, I didn't see them as extras or bling, but as the preferred option for black tie wear. Now I'm finding out that this isn't always the case, so I learn some more!

[davedove]

After reading all the points of view, it seems to me a lot of it comes down to environment and experience.

Environment - If the only event a person attends is the yearly Burns Supper and everyone else there puts on all the bling, odds are that you will do the bling too. If you attend a number of events where others follow the less is more approach, that is what you will tend to do.

Experience comes down to two different things, what you learn from others and what you have had to deal with yourself. Without resources such as this forum, most of us in the US would be at a complete loss as to the "proper" level of dress. For many, the only exposure we've had is what we've seen in the media, and we all know what a pitfall that can be. For personal experience, even if we "blinged it out" at first, we quickly come to realize just what a bother some of the stuff can be. Personally, I like the look of a fly plaid, but it can be a real bother to wear (it seems like I am constantly sitting on it if I don't pay attention). After a while, we tend to simplify to basics, with perhaps one signature item, like maybe a pair of heirloom cufflinks.

Of course, here in the States, once you've donned the kilt, you're already pretty well blinged out.

[Mark E.]

On a lighter note, we have peacocks too. This is "Humphrey".

Arrrggg...He's wearing WHITE STOCKINGS!

No style at all...

[artificer]

Arrrggg...He's wearing WHITE STOCKINGS!

No style at all...

Well played, Sir.

ith:

[AFS1970]

I guess I have been defining bling far too narrowly. I tend to think of it purely in jewelry terms which might extend into anything metallic. I would not consider the fly plaid bling but I would think of the broach worn on it to be. That being said highland dress is at a distinct disadvantage in controlling such bling. Compare a PC or Montrose to a Tuxedo. The Tuxedo rarely has metal buttons and is of a fairly similar cut to a standard suit jacket. Much of what we see with highland dress is already so far above our normal formal standard that I think it is very easy to fall into the trap of looking like a caricature.

While pictures of historical catalogs or paintings are helpful, they are also damaging in that they may lead one to thinking they need to wear everything pictured. Some of these pictures would be far too peacock like for any modern event one would be going too. Think of the white hose debate. The so called rule of white being formal leads many to buy two sets one for days and the other white. That is one too many.

In my previous post I forgot to write of shoes. This has been a bit of a problem for me as I used to have a set of ghillies which I never really liked. Those laces never stayed where they should and ended up getting retied several times which is pretty inconvenient. I have thought of what else to buy, and to tell the truth I am warming up to the idea of buckle brogues however the large silver buckles bring us back around to thoughts of bling and potentially over doing it. So more research is in order.

[Jock Scot]

Arrrggg...He's wearing WHITE STOCKINGS!

No style at all...

Yes it is a mistake than many non Scots tend to make.