Suggested n00b reading

[AKScott]

Dear n00b,

Welcome to the wonderful world of kilts. Girls you thought were totally unapproachable are about to cling to you like a cheap suit. You have found the shiznit.

As a registered user here for about six months I find the "new posts" feature brings me three new registered users introducing themselves for every one thread of other content.

Certainly a warm welcome to "all y'all", but I can't reasonably type "welcome to Xmarks from Fairbanks, AK" fifteen times every day.

n00bs have about five questions, and individually they each ask three of those same five over and over. I was right there where you are six months ago; it isn't a slam, it is just an observation.

Please go read these threads, and if we haven't already answered your question, then ask.

1 kilt, 10 looks. This thread is stickied twice for a reason. If you haven't read it already, please do.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

Got it?

The next one is a picture thread, sorry dial up users. HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales to those of us in the US, has a metric ton of titles, including the Duke of Rothesay. This man can go kilted for three different reasons, he is also the something-somthing of the Gordon Highlanders plus he has that other thingamathing. The main thing is he has a sense of style without parallel in the modern age.

Everyone here, and I mean everyone agrees he dresses very well. Sort of goes with the job, but he also happens to be good at it. In this thread notice not only is understated elegance a key to masculine style; spend some time (you are probably a recently engaged Norte Americano with some Scottish heritage) ruminating about how the UK residents in this thread view the royal fanily in general.

The pics are terrific guideline, but the cultural minutae should be eye-opening. Around here at Xmarks please do respect that our cousins' point of view is not invalid.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-photos-49608/

Notice many pay homage, but if you look back at the splash banner photo few emulate. Interesting.

Here is another interesting old thread. Highlanders discuss highland attire. This one is locked and should be locked. if you disagree with something, spend some time reading related threads before you vent your ignorance. If you are halfway home, there is some stuff in here that might make you mad. Once you get "there" you'll understand. A kilt isn't just 'other' pants.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-57432/

Here is a fun one. Among the clerical staff in my office is a 21 year old girl who wants to amrry a man with a smile just like this one.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...lection-60396/

If you are having trouble with your kilt measurements and thinking about bringing in something inexpensive, consider this stuff:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ke-note-65830/

And you have to be ready. If you step out in a kilt in the US sooner or later someone is going to say something. I have a collection of comebacks gleaned from this site taped to my door, but they were scattered all over. Hopefully the comebacks will collect here:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...95/#post979175

EDIT: a bit of historical context is helpful too. Traditional highland dress is, in American terms, "vintage" the stuff our grandfathers and great great grandfathers wore. As a total n00b, and even now, I refer to the pictures in this thread often to get some idea where current styles came from. It helps me understand why we do now some of the things we do now, it is because "we" used to do it this other way.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...xamples-63059/

Final observations:

It is OK to mix brown leather and black leather. Typically this would be black leather shoes with a brown leather sporran. Really, it is OK. I don't have a single link to offer, but the evidence is everywhere.

If MacMillan of Rathdowne and Jock Scott agree, take it as carried down the mountain by Moses. They hardly ever disagree any road, but if they both agree a thing is a bad idea, go find a new plan.



The three keys to kilts:

1. Man plumage, not man as back up vocals to girl plumage.

2. If you can dress like HRH Charles and smile like Hamish you are going to do great.

3. White hose is the mark of a rental outift.



Hopefully the rabble will have some a few other threads to suggest, there is that one about bias cut waistcoats currently eluding me....