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.

[Chef]

But I think what it boils down to is this point: Had the English not been so brutal in trying to take away the Scottish Heritage that kilts would have become much more versatile than formal.

I think you could easily argue if that hadn't happened the kilt would have likely gone the way of the leine, and the modern kilt would have never taken off at all.

Perhaps it has been "relatively civil", but it still comes down to people arguing over what's right and wrong, proper or not.

It's been done before and goes nowhere. Just because A doesn't like B's kilt or what C wears with his doesn't mean any of it is or wrong, just different. To have any back and forth about it is nonsense and the thread should be closed. If people choose to bicker, they can do it in PM.

I'm hardly an interweb pacifist, it just takes away from what is otherwise agreat forum.

I respect your point but, as with any thread, I'm not aware anyone is required to take part in the discussion if they don't wish to do so.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

It has been suggest elsewhere (and I'm paraphrasing here) that the proper wearing of the kilt may be too intimidating for some. My observations lead me to believe that the problem stems from a reluctance to dress like a grown up. It is as though, for some people, the clock stopped when they were 19.

Intimidation implies insecurity. Very few "kids" are emotionally secure; they are still learning the ropes, as it were, as they ease into adulthood. Once they gain a better grasp of "how things work" they become more secure in themselves, and more "conformist" in the ways in which they interact with society as a whole. This includes how they dress.

Adults, and in this instance I am arbitrarily calling anyone over 30 an adult, who dress like teenagers should reconsider the image (kilted or otherwise) that they are broadcasting to the general populace. It is not an image of individualism; rather it can be interpreted as an open message that says "I have a number of underlying issues which may have been brought on by my own sense of insecurity."

It is not a good thing to cover one's insecurity by proclaiming that society will have to accept you as you are, or to hell with them. Rebellious teenagers rarely have to apply for loans at the bank, or interview for responsible jobs. Adults do.

This is not an attack on the casual look affected by some members of this forum. There's nothing wrong with dressing casually. But, as others have pointed out, there is a difference between casual, and what may be perceived as being a slob, or dressing like a kid.

Anyone who watched MONARCH OF THE GLEN couldn't help but like the character of Duncan, a goofy, not-too-bright, 20-something. The way Duncan dressed visually defined his character: an immature young guy trying to figure out how life works. Generally, Duncan looked like an unmade bed covered with a tartan duvet. The look of the character was way beyond casual.

If you are under 30, and you've bothered to read this, dress however you want. If you think you are still a kid and want to look like Duncan on Monarch of the Glen, fine. But if you are over 30, and dressing like Duncan, you might want to ask yourself why you are dressing like a kid, instead of an adult.

[Highland Logan]

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.

I don't think anyone has at anytime implied here that t-shirts were the Devil's clothing. Nor has anyone stated that to be propery dressed you require a wool jacket, shirt, tie, Prince Charlie, ect. It has already be said here that people are starting to read what they expect, and not what is actually being said.

But I think what it boils down to is this point: Had the English not been so brutal in trying to take away the Scottish Heritage that kilts would have become much more versatile than formal.

Most beleave that without a banning and the flair of Sir Walter Scott, the kilt would have died a natural death with modernization of the Highlands. His novels made the Highlands a romantic place, larger than life, and much better than the harsh reality of life. His Waverly novles were the wild west dime novles of Scotland.

....If you are under 30, and you've bothered to read this, dress however you want. If you think you are still a kid and want to look like Duncan on Monarch of the Glen, fine. But if you are over 30, and dressing like Duncan, you might want to ask yourself why you are dressing like a kid, instead of an adult.

You are spot on. Great insight.

Frank

[Raphael]

If you are under 30, and you've bothered to read this, dress however you want. If you think you are still a kid and want to look like Duncan on Monarch of the Glen, fine. But if you are over 30, and dressing like Duncan, you might want to ask yourself why you are dressing like a kid, instead of an adult.

Age is only a number, and besides, I am not going to follow the preaching of the older generation and dress like them. I really hate when I am told how to dress, as my style will not affect you in any way. I am my own generation and my generation did not grow up like yours. Why should we dress up like yours?

Life is about having fun and not about following the rules that set out by our forefathers. If you don't like it, that's too bad. I careless how you dress. I like the look of one dresses up in prince charlie, hose, and other highland gear. That's cool, but I will not dress in that style all the time.

I like my leather kilt. I like my New Rock Boots. I like Gothic Music. I like to rock out to Sex Pistols, Clash and Dead Kennedy. I like to groove to the tune of Nine Inch Nails, VNV Nation and Switchblade Symphony. And yes, I am over 30's and I am not dead or a walking dead. Life is about having fun. I like to have my fun and live my life to the fullest. It is so easy to live life according to the society. It takes a real man to defy the convention and live a life for himself.

Just in case you wonder, I drive a Volvo, work as a Recruiter and a father. I consider myself an adult because I have handled lots of life events with maturity.

Cheers Mate!!!

[berserkbishop]

Age is only a number, and besides, I am not going to follow the preaching of the older generation and dress like them. I really hate when I am told how to dress, as my style will not affect you in any way. I am my own generation and my generation did not grow up like yours. Why should we dress up like yours?

Life is about having fun and not about following the rules that set out by our forefathers. If you don't like it, that's too bad. I careless how you dress. I like the look of one dresses up in prince charlie, hose, and other highland gear. That's cool, but I will not dress in that style all the time.

I like my leather kilt. I like my New Rock Boots. I like Gothic Music. I like to rock out to Sex Pistols, Clash and Dead Kennedy. I like to groove to the tune of Nine Inch Nails, VNV Nation and Switchblade Symphony. And yes, I am over 30's and I am not dead or a walking dead. Life is about having fun. I like to have my fun and live my life to the fullest. It is so easy to live life according to the society. It takes a real man to defy the convention and live a life for himself.

Just in case you wonder, I drive a Volvo, work as a Recruiter and a father. I consider myself an adult because I have handled lots of life events with maturity.

Cheers Mate!!!

Raphael, first off in saying the following, I mean no disrespect for you or your opinions, I simply offer another view. First off, I am a young guy no where near 30 yet. When I was in high school I dressed gothic and was a nonconformist. I had large gauges in my ears, not as big as tatoobradley but still I was a loner in my hometown. This "nonconformity" really did echo how I was feeling in life. Young, out of place, and with a turbulant home life. As I have gotten older, I have way way way mellowed out. I still have relativley long hair, but I normally dress in a polo shirt and a nice pair of jeans with a black belt and shiny black loafers. Am I less of a man than I was in high school because now look more "socially acceptable." I think not. I have learned a lot in my short time on earth, and one of those observations was that if I wanted to be successful in life I needed to be mindful of my actions and that includes style of dress. There is nothing wrong with casual. I am very casual when I am at school, but there is a time and a place for everything. I am not saying that there are no successful people who dress gothic, or grunge, or look unconventional. I am saying however that generally, to be taken serious in this world, conformity is necessary. I listen to all kinds of music, from punk to classical, but I dont dress like my favorite punk star because I dont want to BE my favorite punk band. I like their music but thats no reason to dress like them, I dont get paid to. I get paid to put on a shirt, tie, and slacks and do MY job. When I leave that job, I still represent my company. If I get caught looking like a slob or acting like an idiot by my boss outside work it would not bode well for my job. Should I be judged by what i do outside work, probably not but that doesnt matter. I AM. Ok I am done now. My two cents on this issue

BB

(An aside, tattoobradley, I hold you in the highest regard and am always suprised at how professionally you present yourself. I look up to your style of dress. The usage of your name was merely to give an idea of ear guage size).

[sharpdressedscot]

Hmm, after reading this thread and some posts over again I think I've come up with a conclusion: it matters on how you wear the kilt, but not what you wear with it, know what I mean?

[Panache]

Hmm, after reading this thread and some posts over again I think I've come up with a conclusion: it matters on how you wear the kilt, but not what you wear with it, know what I mean?

Eric Clapton put it best: "It's just the way that use it"


Cheers

Jamie

[sharpdressedscot]

Eric Clapton put it best: "It's just the way that use it"


Cheers

Jamie

Of course, Eric knows best.

[SportBilly]

Eric Clapton put it best: "It's just the way that use it"


Cheers

Jamie

Eric Clapton: ironically (for this thread) one of the first to wear previously formal Armani suits in a casual manner