A recurring theme on the various kilt pages

**Michael A** · 31st January 17, 06:16 AM

I have noticed something on a few of the various kilt pages of the volume of visages. It goes a bit like this:

"Hi all, this is me in my kilt. Let me know how I look. Be honest! Don't hold back!" accompanied by a photo of an extraordinarily hirsute man wearing loafers, white kilt hose pulled up, a crushed (nineteenth century era) short kilt with no pin or sporran, and a purple eighteenth century style shirt.

"Okay. You look like Hagrid on his way to a Halloween party".

"Dude! Don't be so judgy man! The are no rules and I was having fun. I'll wear my kilt the way I want because freedom! Don't be such a kilt cop!"

"Why did you ask? Oh, you were seeking affirmation, not an opinion. Got it."

Of course he can wear what he wants. But it's a bit like freedom of speech. We can pretty much say what we want. We all have a right to express an opinion, but that doesn't mean we all have the right to expect everyone to take our opinion seriously. Some people look ridiculous the way they dress, whether kilted or trousered.

Note: this was not an actual exchange, but representative of the type.

**48HofC** · 31st January 17, 06:45 AM

I myself have been wondering how many people see pictures on here that someone posted thinking they look ridiculous,but say they look great. People tend to appease rather than hurt feelings it seems. If I looked off kilter, I would want to be told rather than going in public looking like highland hobo....

**Manu** · 31st January 17, 07:59 AM

My approach to these usually is if I have nothing nice to say, I won't say anything at all. There are literally thousands of pictures on this forum on what we as a kilted community consider appropriate or in good taste be it in the traditional or contemporary forum. All you gotta do is compare and contrast and you'll get your answer. If you look like a highlander hillbilly, you know it and you're merely looking for affirmation from like minded folk.

**Liam** · 31st January 17, 08:01 AM

I have to disagree. If asked for feedback on how one looks, generally very honest feedback is given. Unfortunately feedback is often given when one is just posting a picture, which IMHO is just rude.

**Tarheel** · 31st January 17, 07:17 PM

Guilty of, "this or that looks great" when I find a unit of an outfit that appeals to me (mustard hose as an example, of which I will never own but work with some ensembles). I find that I need to learn how to tell one what might be improved upon. I do find that over time the learning curve multiplies with the thick skinned that are willing to understand the criticism is for the benefit of the one posting.

This is a good topic and I hope all newcomers gain insight about this forum.

**thecompaqguy** · 1st February 17, 12:17 AM

I think people don't mince their words (when I had a pinstripe Kilt Suit some didn't hold back from expressing what they thought)

but I think sometimes we impose too much rules at times

**Jock Scot** · 1st February 17, 02:03 AM

If you don't want answers, then don't ask a question. As far as I am concerned, if a question is asked then the door is wide open for answers and I might or might not be inclined so to do. I try to restrict my comments to fairly specific parts of the website, but I have been known to stray on occasion.

There are no rules as such with kilt attire, although there are conventions, accepted practice, aesthetics, discretion, common sense and let us not forget, other people ----particularly on the perhaps, more traditional formal occasions----- to consider sensitively.

I often try to give reasons for saying what I say, as I do think that might lower the temperature of the reply. However in the end, it is entirely down to the individual what they do with the advice that any of us offer.

**McMurdo** · 31st January 17, 08:18 AM

When I first started wearing the kilt over 10 years ago I found this site and I ordered a Prince Charlie for an upcoming Burns Night, it was my thought that I would be better off buying a Prince Charlie rather than renting one every time. Below is one of the first photos I posted here I was looking for advice, the white hose were bought when we rented outfits for my twin brothers wedding a few years before, the kilt was my dad's from 1950, the shoes were what I had on hand, the flashes were purchased separately, the sgian dubh was a cheap offering from ebay that was billed as an envelope opener.

The thing is that this is not bad and would be passable at most any Burns Night the world over, but it is rather cookie cutter and does not show any personality. Fast forward a few years and this is what I wore to Burns Night just past, the differences are that this time the sgian dubh was hand carved by my girlfriends grandfather, the shoes are buckle brogues with silver buckles, the sporran is sealskin from L&M the kilt, jacket and waistcoat are in a tartan I designed, the idea for which was first brought forward on this site, the hose are argyll hose done custom in my tartan, and the bow tie is a self tie.

Had I not come here with questions, and had not the members of the forum answered my questions truthfully, I would not have changed at all. I try to answer all queries like the one you pose in truth but politely. We all have to start somewhere. The main thing for me anyway is that the kilt be worn with respect and with an attitude that this is National Dress and as such has rules attached to it and should be worn within those rules for best effect. Wear it with a cowboy hat if you must, but don't be surprised that people will tell you you are wrong if you ask them.

**Luke MacGillie** · 31st January 17, 08:43 AM

It is not just something that happens on kilt forums, that same guy, he posts the same photo and asks the same question on a couple of reenactor boards and also gets skewered for literally nothing being correct and complains about how the hardcore stitch natzies are ruining the hobby.

**CollinMacD** · 31st January 17, 09:10 AM

As I am from a rather old and established Highland Family, who migrated (not by choice) during the Scottish Clearance to Nova Scotia, much of the traditional Scottish dress was lost. Thanks to people like Jock Scott, Luke MacGillie, and others who tells you the way it is and is direct, this I respect. I finally purchased my first kilt and accessories and really needed HONEST feedback. To me, it was about representing generations of my family, and I certainly did not what to insult my family ancestry by either over or under dressing for formal occasions, as well as informal. Although I might not have agreed with everything that was said, the criticism received was constructive and taken in the spirit of improving not insulting. Because of Jock, Luke, and others, I made the necessary changes and feel more confident than ever that when I dress in formal Scottish attire, I am representing my family name and honor, and doing it right.

I thank those who provided me the input needed to assure when I left the house, I left wearing my clothing as it was meant, and it was proper. Good job all and thank you.

If you are posting to just think everybody is going to say you are perfect in everyway, why bother. If you are asking fore honest feedback, well don't be insulted if you get feedback that you do not agree with. Us your head, and listen and learn. A forum like this is to share information, and sometimes when you share you might get what you do expect as an answer. That is actually good to be challenged. Widens your horizons. Some people will do as they please regardless, but you know, its the ones who listen and learn that succeed. Its people like Jock Scott and others who share their knowledge to make it better for all. Both are needed. My advise, if you post and ask, then listen, learn, and make the correct changes as needed, as for my view its about my ancestry family that I represent, not about myself trying to be noticed.