Quote Originally Posted by O'Callaghan View Post
Take the combined use of a belt and buckles. In the 19th century the buckles were what held up the kilt. Doubtless the belt evoked a bygone era to them at the time, when it was the belt that held up the kilt. How ironic then that people now copy them and also wear both together?
I'm assuming that by "buckle" here you mean the leather straps and buckles used to hold the kilt on. I clarify because the belt, too, of course has a buckle.

So assuming I am reading you correctly, you suggest that the leather straps and buckles were the way kilts were held on in the 19th century and so therefore now considered "proper" by traditionalists.

This is not really historically accurate, however. I have examimes nineteenth century kilts that have been closed with buttons, tied with ribbons, fastened with cloth straps and buckles (not leather), or more often than not, held on with nothing at all but the waist belt, or sprung steel pins.

So your premise that straps and buckles were standard in the nineteenth century, and therefore the only thing considered "proper" by today's traditionalists, is not accurate. Nor, I would argue, is your premise that nineteenth century fashion is the standard that traditionalists still hold for Highland dress.

I think that we can certainly take a good deal of inspiration from the nineteenth century, as many of the elements of Highland attire have roots in that era. But Highland fashion is a living fashion, and it is continually evolving -- even among those who consider themselves "traditionalist." I'd actually argue that the traditional idea of "proper Highland attire" really draws more inspiration from the early and middle twentieth century than the nineteenth. But my main point here is that Highland dress is a contemporary, living fashion, a true National Dress, and not an attempt at period costume limited to any one era.