Curious about the "rules"

[kiltedwolfman]

I have read many a mention to the "rules" of Highland attire as to what should be worn with what, and when etc etc. Out of reading and trying to digest all of this information I began to wonder, how did all of the rules become rules? To be clear I am not thinking about statements about what makes decent fashion sence, or how some things just look nicer than others, but moreover the steadfast "this is how it must be done!" kind of rules. I would ask those who choose to respond to the best of thier ability cite the varying authorites as I assume there must be more than one, who made the rules, and of course how these rules are currently maintained.

*Disclaimer* It is not my objective to anger anyone with these questions, or to offend anyones sence of tradition. I simply want to understand better how the rules of dress ( outside of the military ) can and apparently in some situations must be applied.

[auld argonian]

I dunno about them rules...I have to think that the only real rules are the dress regs for military units and the standards used to judge the appearance of pipe bands in competition. Everything else sort of seems to fall into the "if it looks good, it's okay" category IMHO. I'm always leery of anyone who gets into the obsessive codification of minutia...

Best,

AA

[Tartan Tess]

I agree, the "follow you heart" rule is number 1 in my book

[Schiehallion]

Start with a kilt and dress accordingly with the rest as to where you are going...and what you are doing.

eg boots and sweater to go hiking in summer..... and not a formal coatee.

To a formal dinner and dance an Argyll jacket or coatee, hose and brogues... and not boots and sweater.

to a wedding a Crail or Argyll.

to a rugby/football match, sports shirt to support your team .

Just don't go over the top and look like the Hollywood idea of a Scottish warrior...or of a costume fancy dress party. Remember,
less is more! otherwise the term "Brigadoonery" might be said of you.

Best of all.... feel comfortable in your skin and in your highland dress.

Get the idea? There are many alternatives but go with the occasion.

Simple!

[Richard]

Pleats at the back......after that anything goes, life to short for rules

[MacLowlife]

Banks lend money most eagerly to people who do not need it. And having just one good rule ( follow your good judgment) is great, so long as you have informed good judgment. I believe the best rules are made for people who do not necessarily have an innate sense of how to do it. Once the rules have been internalized, it is much easier to go by the seat of one's kilt. Some will suggest that these rules are outmoded, but that is the nature of tradition- it follows the past.

Without further ado, here are a few good rules:
1) Do not be overdressed or underdressed.
2) Be completely dressed
3) Be consistently dressed
4) Be comfortably dressed

Again, these rules are probably best understood by those who have followed them so long that they don't need them, but I will go a little further.

Rule 1 means to wear a tie most of the time, but to match your formality to the occasion. Within reason, it means to dress like everybody else.

Rule 2 means to wear socks and shoes and a belt or waistcoat and a sporran - and a tie if most people there will be wearing one.

Rule 3 means to wear formal clothes throughout or casual clothes throughout and don't wear a casual garment with formal ones or vice versa.

Rule 4 means to avoid being self conscious, but also to wear clothes that fit your body. And remember who is in charge ( you, not your clothing). And wear it like it is clothing, not a costume...

You will notice I didn't say anything about colors or collars or matching or ruche ties. Oops, until now.

Sure, just follow your heart, but make sure your heart knows where it is going. As irritating or frustrating as it may be, the source of these rules is simple- it is how it was done before you noticed. Nobody is going to MAKE you follow the rules and if you dislike them, you are welcome to ignore them, but the rules (aka tradition) are the rules and you can't play the game without them. If you try, you are playing another game. And of course, that is your business.

[MacLowlife]

Pleats definitely at the back.

[CMcG]

I don't think there is a universally agreed upon, published set of rules governing THCD because. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong?

That being said, tradition often carries the weight of rules. It's a sort ontological imperative: "that's how it is."

This is the work of time and culture producing a set of mores that function to create a sense of identity. Insiders dress and act one way, while outsiders dress and act another.

The result is that people who are acculturated or enculturated into the tradition come to view these markers as being correct and normal. Transgression against the norms therefor has the effect of breaking a rule.

Please pardon the academic language!

[gary meakin]

I forget who said this.
"Rules are not heard.
If heard, they are not believed.
If believed, they are not thought to apply to the believer."
I've seen tartan kilts with flannel shirts.
Kilts worn WAY below the waist like the new pant style.
Kilts on backwards.
I saw a guy who apparently gained at least 50 lbs since he bought his kilt. His strap extensions were about 8" long and his front apron went about half way across his front.
This is why we have rules.
Unfortunately...(see above quote.)

[Jock Scot]

Alright this is not going to be easy to explain, there are no rules, only conventions, traditions and expectations. We are talking civilian wear here in general and Scots civilian attire in particular. There are most certainly books that are there to help guide people through these conventions and I suppose "So you want to wear the kilt" is one that is often read by those needing some guidance, there are others. However there is not a book of dress regulations(rules) as far as I am aware that has ever existed for civilians.So where and how these assorted forms of civilian dress and the accompanying conventions emerged from I really don't know, but I suspect that the civilians were trying to keep up with the military who most certainly did and do have regulations.

Right, what needs to be understood right from the start that you can wear what you like to any event you choose, providing it is within the realms of decency, I suppose. Whether you will be invited back to a particular function ever again is another matter entirely!

Let us go back say a hundred years where grand dinners, balls,grand social events were nearly all private events, so if you had the privilege to be invited you made damn sure you towed the line, not only in respect to your host and hostess, but to your fellow guests and to yourself. If you did not keep within the conventions any further invitations were unlikely to be forthcoming and this not only could, it did effect your future prospects . It was that simple.

These days dinners, Burns nights, etc. are quite often (More often than not probably) a commercial affair where a ticket to the function is often paid for, and of course if some one has paid hard earned cash they do feel that they have a certain right to question the dress code. Which on the face of it, they have a point!

But guests still do have a responsibility, to the occasion(not so much their hosts in this case)and other guests of the event with not only their dress but also their behaviour too. You are in the public eye and make no mistake, people will be forming an opinion. If you don't, maybe next year all of a sudden there will be no tickets for YOU to purchase. In other words wear what you like just don't expect to come back!

There is still room for individual flair and Highland attire gives greater scope than some, but there are limits.