Quote Originally Posted by Ivor View Post
I think I may be betraying my age here but I come from an age when it was normal to hire clothing for dress occasions as my family did not have the wherewithal to lavish dinner suits or highland dress on me. Perhaps nowadays with changed economic times there is more wealth about and more people can afford to own these items, even if only used occasionally. I do detect, however, a distinct undertone in respect of hired outfits as if those so unfortunate as to rely on such a source are somehow beneath contempt and failing the standards expected here. I know this is probably far from the truth and that all who aspire to wear Scottish Highland dress are welcome here. But the impression still persists that those who resort to rental companies are somehow not worthy of inclusion.
I, too, detect a distinct anti-hire sentiment in the USA, when it comes to rental clothing - especially Highland dress - which is not felt here in the UK.

We only have to look at the likes of Moss Bross supplying morning-coats and top hats for regular events such as Ascot, to see that at even high levels of 'Society' hiring an outfit is quite the done thing.

At the old Queen's coronation in 1953, when the nation's peers were all at the abbey for the ceremony in their various robes and coronets, very few actually had their own. The vast majority of them went to costume-hire outlets to be kitted-out, and why not? Those lords and ladies who have spoken about it make it sound as if it was all part of the fun and a bit of a joke.

There seems to be quite a wide-spread fear in North America of doing it wrong when it comes to Highland dress, which has given rise to codifying styles and the various elements in a way that simply does not exist at home in Scotland. There are no doubt good reasons for this, but it means that a fair amount of what is thought right and proper in Scotland, and so the wider UK also, is shunned through fear of what others might think.

This seems such a shame, as a crucial element like footwear is compromised to the detriment of the whole outfit. Instead of wearing a distictly and uniquely Highland form of footwear such as the ghillie-brogue (irrespective of its origin or antiquity) a non-Highland, non-Scottish style of shoe is preferred and recommended.

The North American 'look' to Highland dress is distinctive and fairly easy to recognise, but near impossible to define. At my clan gatherings, the various nationals can be determined by how their wear the clothes. I know before I have spoken to them, or even heard them speak, that another clansman is, say, French or American by their style.

Some years ago, when in Normandy, I was with friends when we encountered a group of kilties coming the other way. My friends naturally assumed they were Scots, but I identified them as American by their style, long before we could hear any speach. And sure enough, their accents gave them away.

None of what I say is in any way any kind of criticism, but my own opinion based on experience and observation. However, when it comes to any form of national costume, it seems to me that to follow the practices of the native population is the logical thing to do when new to it.

After all, if wanting to wear a kimono or sari, would you rather follow the advice and practice of the Japanese or Indians who wear them out of long-established practice, or be guided by those who are new to it? And your choice of footwear in both circumstances would be cricial, I would think.