Our sense of fashion

[BBNC]

This subject matter might rankle some, but it is meant respectfully in the same vein as how we wear our kilts.

Do we unconsciously adopt certain styles of dress because we actually feel it is best for the occasion, or because we've been taught its how these things are done?

To clarify, wearing a jacket, waistcoat and tie for down to earth pursuits like fishing or hunting seems over the top, yet there are innumerable photographic and film examples of this. I would have thought it was a put-on for the camera if I hadn't actually taken a visitor to North Carolina fly fishing, who dressed just that way.

[Nick the DSM]

Okay, from various discussions we've had. Photographs do not tell everything. Especially the late 1800s or early 1900s. They posed for a picture to represent them. So no, they didn't go out in their sunday best for hunting or fishing. I can see them wearing tweed though, but it is not as if they are pulling out to be a peacock while fishing. I am talking of kilt photos, by the way. Maybe some did, we don't know for sure.

As stated earlier in another thread, and countless others, "if not wearing as formal, treat as you would a pair of pants"

So, as a fellow NCer, if you're going to fish with a kilt just wear a good sweater to give you mobility, and utility vest. Or what ever you would with pants.

[Cygnus]

North America (and the USA in particular) tends to be a place where relaxation of standards seems to be the norm, and as those standards are relaxed, somebody decides to relax them even more in a never-ending cycle that can only result in people wandering about in the buff (okay, so that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I hope you can see what I'm saying). In the not-too-distant past, and in the present in some locales, a collared shirt, tie, and tweed suit are what is worn by outdoorsmen when shooting, fishing, etc. It's actually a look that I much prefer to the ubiquitous camouflage and bright orange so common around here. It's also quite likely that your father/grandfather wore a suit and tie nearly everywhere he went, so it's not as if the age of manners and "gentlemanly" dress are that far behind us.
In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with doing something because you've been taught that's how it's done - that is tradition. It doesn't mean you should blindly follow everything you read here or elsewhere, but it doesn't hurt to be aware of what is considered proper and traditional before modifying it to suit your own taste.
Taking it back to kilts, most of what constitutes traditional highland attire comes from the recent era of suits and ties, so "casual" dress still includes a tie and jacket, as does traditional "hunting" dress. There are many on the forum that prefer this style, despite the fact that many of our T-shirt-clad friends and fellow X-Markers consider it a bit antiquated. If that isn't your style, by all means, wear a pullover, T-Shirt, combat boots, etc. with your kilt. It is yours, after all.

[Peter Crowe]

North America (and the USA in particular) tends to be a place where relaxation of standards seems to be the norm, and as those standards are relaxed, somebody decides to relax them even more in a never-ending cycle that can only result in people wandering about in the buff (okay, so that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I hope you can see what I'm saying). In the not-too-distant past, and in the present in some locales, a collared shirt, tie, and tweed suit are what is worn by outdoorsmen when shooting, fishing, etc. It's actually a look that I much prefer to the ubiquitous camouflage and bright orange so common around here. It's also quite likely that your father/grandfather wore a suit and tie nearly everywhere he went, so it's not as if the age of manners and "gentlemanly" dress are that far behind us.
In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with doing something because you've been taught that's how it's done - that is tradition. It doesn't mean you should blindly follow everything you read here or elsewhere, but it doesn't hurt to be aware of what is considered proper and traditional before modifying it to suit your own taste.
Taking it back to kilts, most of what constitutes traditional highland attire comes from the recent era of suits and ties, so "casual" dress still includes a tie and jacket, as does traditional "hunting" dress. There are many on the forum that prefer this style, despite the fact that many of our T-shirt-clad friends and fellow X-Markers consider it a bit antiquated. If that isn't your style, by all means, wear a pullover, T-Shirt, combat boots, etc. with your kilt. It is yours, after all.

I entirely agree Cygnus! In all these things there is a place for common sense to be a consideration. I do baulk at the idea that wearing well cut quality clothing is somehow elitist or showy. I was always taught that style and fashion are only distantly related. I have known people with modest means who have plenty of the former and who couldn't care less for the latter. I have also known people with more money than sense spend significant sums on poor quality ill fitting clothes that have certain labels but will look ridiculously dated in five years time. Such common sense considerations of style over fashion generally fit with Highland attire (IMHO). However, to each their own I suppose

[Chas]

Historical context is always important. There was a time in the UK when men and women always wore a hat out of doors. When men, if they were a member of one of the Institutions, would always wear the appropriate tie to work. But times have moved on and now only wear the tie, or the special jacket, or the hood on those annual occasions.

The thing is with photographs - they don't automatically update themselves.

Regards

Chas

[BBNC]

Happy New Year, everyone. Although I live in the US, I figure that the only way I can celebrate the New Year and still get to bed when my internal clock says I should, is to turn on the BBC World Service and listen to Big Ben bring in the new year (7:00 EST).

[creagdhubh]

I entirely agree Cygnus! In all these things there is a place for common sense to be a consideration. I do baulk at the idea that wearing well cut quality clothing is somehow elitist or showy. I was always taught that style and fashion are only distantly related. I have known people with modest means who have plenty of the former and who couldn't care less for the latter. I have also known people with more money than sense spend significant sums on poor quality ill fitting clothes that have certain labels but will look ridiculously dated in five years time. Such common sense considerations of style over fashion generally fit with Highland attire (IMHO). However, to each their own I suppose

***

I couldn't agree more, Peter! Well said, mate.

Cheers,

[tripleblessed]

I, too, will applaud Peter's comments. While I admire the style and fortitude of those who wear a coat and tie for
shooting and fishing, the south Georgia swamps and woods I rambled in as a child would make short work of such
attire, and I would not have survived the wrath of my dear mother for such destruction. My grandfather wore
overhalls (that, of course, is the correct spelling based on proper pronunciation where I grew up) when following a
mule growing up, but upon becoming the owner of the farm, excuse me - plantation, moved into a three-piece suit
for the remainder of his days, and like his father-in-law strode the fields in, as we say here, wingtips or brogued ankle
boots. Even when it was 110 Fahrenheit in the shade, with 85-100% humidity. Not for me.

Although in my defense, I have been seen on top of a ladder making emergency repairs or adjustments on opening
nights while wearing suits that would be 1500 - 2000 dollars today. Need occasionally has to override common sense.

[OC Richard]

Do we unconsciously adopt certain styles of dress because we actually feel it is best for the occasion, or because we've been taught its how these things are done?

I think the two things are usually connected; in other words, how most people dress wasn't created from nothingness in a vacuum but is a result of influence from seeing how people dressed around them as they were growing up.

When I was a kid I wore cowboy boots most of the time. So did many of the kids my age around me. Were I raised somewhere else it might have been different. My best friend as a kid wore cowboy boots all the time, even with shorts!

I work at Disneyland and it's amazing how some people dress. I see men wearing suit-and-tie on a hot day, and women wearing skin-tight long dresses and platform shoes or high heels trying to negotiate their way around without tripping. At the other extreme I see people fully rigged for an outdoor hiking expedition with hiking clothes, walking staff, a backpack large enough to carry provisions for a week, and several waterbottles (in a place where you're never farther than a couple hundred feet from a drinking fountain). Since none of these people are dressed appropriately to the activity of walking around Disneyland and going on some rides, I imagine that their previous experiences or influences have something to do with their dress.

[Taj]

Interesting observation at Disney. I visited the one in Florida and to the best I can recall went the hiker style with a much smaller pack. Coming from an arid region I always carry water. Coming from an outdoorsman background I carry snacks, first-aid, and anticipated clothing needs rather than be uncomfortable or someone's dependent. I also carry a monopod/walking staff for photography and back pain relief. You are quite right that we dress partially due to background.

Regarding fly fishing, I often wade shallow streams in river sandals and Utilikilt. I've been photographed by curious passerby and always feel quite comfortable in the hot dry Colorado sun.