With time more diverse kilt wearing

[Tartan Hiker]

Interesting thread, to which I have very little to add. It seems that we all have agreed to not bash one another needlessly, and that's good.

One idea that I keep coming back to is the fact that we, as well as the previous generations that were "inventing" Highland attire, are creatures of our time.

Example 1:
Many would say that a proper kilt must be fastened with leather straps. Why leather? Because there was nothing better available at the time that this particular garment was "invented." Don't get me wrong...I love the look, the smell, the feel of leather. I do my own leather work and I usually wear leather accessories.



This photo is one I took yesterday of the kilt I finished this past weekend. You can clearly see belt, sporran, and sporran strap of "traditional" design made of leather. On my right hip is a brown leather strap and brass buckle which secures my outer apron. What you don't see is the velcro tabs that secure the inner apron. Why on Earth did I use velcro? Several kilt projects ago I took a page from Matt Newsome and placed the inner apron straps inside the kilt so that I didn't have to cut holes in the tartan. Easy in the construction phase and allows re-tailoring if the need arises. He uses leather straps and metal buckles. I decided that if this strap is not seen, then why use leather and metal? For me, comfort and ease of adjustment are more important, so I devised a cinch strap and velcro fastening system for the under apron. Comfortable, fast, efficient.



Example 2:
As stated previously, I love my leathers. Outdoor activities in the unpredictable weather of the southern Appalachians, however, leads to rain-soaked kilts (and kilt-wearers!). Soaking leather is not the end of the world, but it is at best inconvenient, and at worst damaging to the leather, the kilt, or both. What to do?



I crafted myself a sporran made from a nylon "guide bag" from the local outdoor outfitters shop. Very functional and unaffected by water. As a nod toward "tradition" I added tassels and an fake flap.

So what's the point?

All of these discussions boil down to the temporal context of our favorite garments. If velcro had been avalable in the Highlands in 1795, I'm sure that it would have been used for all sorts of things, and fastening one's kilt would almost certainly have been one. If nylon bags had been available, I'm sure that more than one man would have been using that material for a weather-resistant sporran. Just because those materials weren't available doesn't make them wrong.

Sandals and athletic shoes were not avialable and/or inappropriate for the Highlands 200 years ago. That doesn't make them wrong. Faced with an Arizona climate would the Highlander of 200 years ago persisted in wearing tall hose? I bet not.

Cotton t-shirts, in the right conditions (think Arizon in the summer), are the perfect, comfortable garment. Just because they weren't available in the Highlands 200 years ago doesn't make them wrong.

I'm sure that many here (and I would be one) would cringe to see someone walking along in a kilt and green wellies. Would the Highland shepherd of 1808 have worn wellies under his kilt if they had been available? If he knew that he'd be mucking about in the wet mud all day, I'd bet my pleats that the answer would be yes.

We will all seek to put together our "look" as we see fit, using the materials at hand, and following our own sense of what is "right." That diversity is what makes us interesting. We must never forget, however, that we are creatures of our times, and that time is an important factor in all our decisions. We must decide if our choices are dictated more by historical "accuracy" or by blending new and appropriate technology to accentuate, preserve, and enhance the historical materials and looks. To allow the "traditional" garments to invade new territories. I have no problem using velcro and nylon when it's appropriate. Others would cringe. We're different people. Practicality, appropriateness of materials, and neatness of appearance should be important considerations. I agree with the majority of posters that neatness is important. Sloppy dressing, no matter what you are wearing, is a clear signal that you lack respect for yourself and for others.

A clean t-shirt, tucked in, with sandals, is appropriate for the Greenville, South Carolina highland games, where heat exhaustion is not uncommon among attendees who insist on wearing full regalia despite 100 degree temperatures. I see it in the wee July 4th parade in Montreat every summer. More than once gentlemen who insist that the kilt must be worn with wool jackets, ties, and hose are carried to the hospital and treated for heat-related exhaustion. What's the sense in that? Their option, I suppose, would be to stay home or to wear shorts. Not very good options if a more appropriate choice of materials is available.