white coatee as a warm weather option

[Nathan]

I guess it depends on which definition you grew up with. To me, the word does have that association. YMMV.

From the Oxford dictionary:-

1.2 (Of a man) weak or effeminate:he chatted away, exercising his rather effete charm
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/de...english/effete

That's interesting. Thanks for posting the Oxford definition which has expanded my understanding of the term. The Google definition that comes up is:

adjective: effete (of a person) affected, overrefined, and ineffectual.
"effete trendies from art college"
synonyms: affected, pretentious, precious, mannered, overrefined;
ineffectual;
informalla-di-da
"effete trendies"
antonyms: unpretentious
no longer capable of effective action.
"the authority of an effete aristocracy began to dwindle"
synonyms: weak, enfeebled, enervated, worn out, exhausted, finished, drained, spent, powerless, ineffectual
"the fabric of society is effete"

Oxford's definition combined with this one seems to point to a previous generation's unfortunate equivalency between being female or like a female and being ineffective or powerless.

[Calgacus]

That's interesting. Thanks for posting the Oxford definition which has expanded my understanding of the term. The Google definition that comes up is:

adjective: effete (of a person) affected, overrefined, and ineffectual.
"effete trendies from art college"
synonyms: affected, pretentious, precious, mannered, overrefined;
ineffectual;
informalla-di-da
"effete trendies"
antonyms: unpretentious
no longer capable of effective action.
"the authority of an effete aristocracy began to dwindle"
synonyms: weak, enfeebled, enervated, worn out, exhausted, finished, drained, spent, powerless, ineffectual
"the fabric of society is effete"

Oxford's definition combined with this one seems to point to a previous generation's unfortunate equivalency between being female or like a female and being ineffective or powerless.

Yes, I think it harks back to a less enlightened and tolerant time than now, when such attributes were seen as being the opposite of macho, and therefore the opposite of masculine.

[auld argonian]

Oh, Jeeezis….if I ever need to have my usage picked over, I know where to come.

I'd love to get back to the topic with minimal difficulties…but I totally meant "effete" in the sense of "affected, overrefined and ineffectual"….mostly the "affected, overrefined…." bit. You can put away your swords….in my experience with American English it has never had anything to do with effeminacy but rather with the attitude that your opinion is the only opinion and that anyone who disagrees is a part of the great unwashed. Two nations divided by a common language, indeed.

My point being that what is considered proper or good form in one part of the world may not always work in another part of the world due climatic conditions and that, I would hope, even those who maintain good form in that one part of the world should cut those in that other part of the world a little slack. I personally side with those who feel that there are some things that are "just not done" when wearing the kilt and I try to "keep it real" to the best of my ability because I feel that when you are wearing the kilt - even if you're not a native Highland Scot - you are representing an important culture so if you have enough respect for that culture to wear the kilt in the first place, you should do it as properly and respectfully as you can or not at all.

Bottom line for me is that if you can find a white jacket that look proper in all respects other than the color and you're in a warmer climate, you should be allowed to wear it without fear of criticism. Hoping that a socially graceful person who doesn't agree will just say either nothing or, "….not my personal taste but you seem to be carrying it off.". And I took the opportunity afforded by the discussion in this thread to point out that there is a demand for lighter weight jackets that are specifically made as kilt jackets so that at least a MOSTLY proper appearance can be maintained.

I can't help but think of my dear, old dad who was stationed in the UK during WWII. The bellman at the hotel that they were putting the US Air Corp guys in said that he would, "…come by and knock you up in the morning.", meaning that he would give them a wake up call by knocking on the doors. In the US, the expression "knock you up" meant, basically, "impregnate you". Hilarity ensued. So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go put my fanny pack in the boot.

Best

AA

[Sean D]

I for one would like to see summer weight and even white jackets bieng marketed , I live in a coastal area which is very sub tropical and to wear a doublet or even a pc at our local Callies society events is very uncomfortable. We even moved the date of our Burns Night celebration 2 months away when it is slightly cooler and the first thing the gentlemen request is permission to remove jackets . I am not so fortunate as Honoury Piper I am usually attired in full dress . And I am currently seeking a local tailor to make me a piper's doublet in lighter fabric . So a white pc would suit me very well of course I know its not everyone's taste but that is the beauty of highland dress you may be free to dress as you wish within the bounds of common sense and convention and of course good taste.

[Calgacus]

I actually think that white jackets look very smart and to my eye would be perfectly acceptable in warm climates. Certainly better than a Hawaiian shirt!

Personally I doubt I'll ever require a white kilt jacket as despite being the first day of May, I awoke to the sight of snow on the hills outside my window.

Whilst pondering this I shall sit on my bum and light up a fag...

[Pleater]

Recently I made myself a white jacket for the summer months when lighter garments are not enough but winter weight is too heavy. It seemed the obvious thing to do, though I will have to make another one in white and dye the original a shade of pale coffee in all but one place on the front......

Although I have societies permission to wear a wider range of colours and styles being on the distaff side, I do tend to add frills and femininity to my attire with kilts. I also tend to experiment. My take on the white jacket will probably include a natural white Tilley hat and be worn with sandals, so not all that appropriate for most kilt wearers, but it should prove a comfortable outfit for those days when the wind is blowing the red dust in from the Sahara - something which does happen here from time to time.

The short white jacket does seem to be a good adjunct to a dark kilt - it might even go well with a dress tartan with white in its description.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Sean D]

Our society is fairly relaxed when it comes to highland dress they are more focused on making each function a pleasant experience and fun than worried about what you wear , on occassion where someone has worn something incorrectly advice and help have been offered . The biggest challenge we have here is cost any highland wear cost a fortune due to forex rates If I can find a competant tailor and the funds I most certainly would look at a white "mess" style jacket I hesitate to use the term PC as it is usually dark blue or black .

[Sean D]

A coffee coloured jacket ..... Now that would be interesting to see with a kilt