Rabble,
It is absolutely no secret that there are some issues currently troubling our forum. It's also of no secret that there is a clear divide developing between two seperate points of view (with each point of view having it's own subdivisions in some cases.) The part that is a bit less clear is the "why?" More importantly, IMHO, is the "how?" How are we going to fix this?

Here's the thing guys/gals. We are a collaberation of people from all various walks of life and all corners of the globe. We are going to disagree... a LOT. We are going to have different preferences and in some cases different conventions in regards to dress. We have everyone here from PhD holders to High School students, and everything between. But, this is no Eden or Eutopia. The same predispositions we carry in our daily lives, are going to be carried here. With all of those differences there will be many many different opinions. Even among the four moderators, you will find four different opinions on many different things (kilts or otherwise.) But, are the differences points to fight over? No, of course not. Our differences should be celebrated not dispised. Yes, I realize I'm running the risk of sounding like a Give Peace a Chance rally. But, is that really such a bad thing?

Rather than being completely vague and general, I'd like to address the two specifics as I see them:

1. Traditional Highland Dress:
There are many members who are only interested in one version of the kilt: Traditional Highland Dress. There have recently been some hard feelings towards our resident Traditionalists, as they are being thought of as Kilt Snobs or Kilt Police etc. I certainly can not, and will not, speak for everyone. But, I feel that on the whole this isn't the case. Think of something that was noted in another thread: When a thread is posed asking specific questions about the traditional conventions of Highland Dress (PC during the Day for example) the responses can be expected to be those of conventions or "rules" of wear of that article. To enter the thread with the rebel attitude of "wear what you like, when you like, where you like" is unfair and completely off topic, as the question has been completely disregarded.

There are also many thoughts about the various accessories for Highland Dress: kilt hose, head gear, belts, waistcoats... just to name of few of the hot button items. Again, there is historical basis for the conventions that these articles carry. If you choose to wear them in a fashion differing from the standard convention, by all means that is your choice and no one should begrudge you for it. But, if your goal is to dress in the traditional manner, you will not be. If you appear at a function with others wearing Traditional Highland Dress, and you're wearing something outside the convention, expect to be questioned.


2. Modern Kilts/ Modern Kilt Wearing:
There are also many members who relish in the oppurtunity to wear the many modern variants of The Kilt. What's wrong with that? Nothing of course. Those wearing them don't generally claim them to be Traditional Highland Attire. The founder of Utilikilts himself has made clear that his garment is not inteded to be a Scottish Kilt. His, and many other modern kilt vendors, motivator is "Freedom."

I feel the confusion and heat are coming from the fact that these two garments are being terribly confused and lumped together, by both sides at different times. It's also apparent that the fact some wish to wear the kilt according to traditional conventions is being overlooked. That works the other way as well, of course, there are those wearing the kilt for nothing to do with Highland Attire and that's being overlooked.

There are also more modern conventions to traditional Highland Dress, such as the ever-debated white hose. The fact is, the white hose have become accepted in formal Highland Attire. Whether it's due to the hire shops stocking only white hose, and thus them flooding weddings or not, the fact is they are now an accepted part of the attire. They're an evolution of the formal rig so-to-speak. So, Traditionalist, when you see a fellow in his kilt, PC, and white hose, be nice. Congratulate him for being researched and taking the time to care about his appearance. There are certainly many pictures in the Kilt Don't section to support the person wearing this has taken the time to know what NOT to wear.

What it boils down to is respect. Plain and simple. We need to respect the person living on the edge of kilt fashion wearing a leather kilt with pockets. We also need to respect the person wearing the worsted wool kilt with matching leather accessories. There are a few on the board who actually wear BOTH. Whether you choose to wear one, the other, or both isn't important. Allowing your fellow man his right to do so in his way is.

Respectfully,