What to Wear?

[macwilkin]

Ask yourself this: If the event was being held in Vienna (or Graz) would it be appropriate for your wife to wear her Drindl?

The whole point is to dress to the level appropriate for the event you are attending. Having said that, I would generally caution against wearing any "national folk costume" to an event that wasn't specifically celebrating that nation's folkloric culture.

Scott,

On this point, I will have to respectfully disagree with you, but I also understand your POV.

I know at the Caledonian Society of Norway's annual Burns Supper, a number of their Norwegian members wear traditional Norwegian folk costumes and/or military uniforms. I see nothing wrong this, as given Burns' Internationalist tendencies -- A man's a man for a' that!

Burns was as much as a citizen of the world (and continues to be, since we're celebrating his 250th birthday around the globe this year!), so why not have the world celebrate his works and life?

Regards,

Todd

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Scott,

On this point, I will have to respectfully disagree with you, but I also understand your POV.

I know at the Caledonian Society of Norway's annual Burns Supper, a number of their Norwegian members wear traditional Norwegian folk costumes and/or military uniforms. I see nothing wrong this, as given Burns' Internationalist tendencies -- A man's a man for a' that!

Burns was as much as a citizen of the world (and continues to be, since we're celebrating his 250th birthday around the globe this year!), so why not have the world celebrate his works and life?

Regards,

Todd

Todd,

I probably should have been a bit more specific in my reply. For example, at a Burns supper in the USA showing up in a "national costume" other than the national attire of Scotland is probably best avoided unless one is a member of the diplomatic corps!

Put another way, if I was a Mexican and my wife was Scottish, and we lived in Duluth, I probably wouldn't attend a Burns supper dressed like a Mariachi, even though this is perfectly acceptable folk dress in Mexico.

If things were reversed and I was married to a Mexican and we attended a Burns supper in Tiajuana, I'd have no problem with my wife wearing a mantilla and combs, etc., as that is acceptable national dress in that country.

Did I explain it better this time? Hope so.

Regards,

Scott

[macwilkin]

Todd,

I probably should have been a bit more specific in my reply. For example, at a Burns supper in the USA showing up in a "national costume" other than the national attire of Scotland is probably best avoided unless one is a member of the diplomatic corps!

Put another way, if I was a Mexican and my wife was Scottish, and we lived in Duluth, I probably wouldn't attend a Burns supper dressed like a Mariachi, even though this is perfectly acceptable folk dress in Mexico.

If things were reversed and I was married to a Mexican and we attended a Burns supper in Tiajuana, I'd have no problem with my wife wearing a mantilla and combs, etc., as that is acceptable national dress in that country.

Did I explain it better this time? Hope so.

Regards,

Scott

I see your point, Scott. I will say though, that I would not object to a represenative from our local Scandinavian Society wearing a bunad or from the German Society wearing a Trachten suit --we have developed relationships with both organizations recently, and provided they sent liasons, I would certainly welcome their national dress.

Several years ago the Scandinavians invited us to their Midsommar festival, and asked us to wear Highland attire and even bring our piper!

T.