Highlanders Discuss Highland Attire

[MacLowlife]

Jock,

I thank you for your comment on buttons, but some of us nervous types are now worried about being OVER dressed. Here in the benighted American South, many men wear a navy blazer with metal buttons, with or without a tie. It may symbolize formality or it may simply be a place to put things ( more pockets). Lately, black blazers have turned up and also navy blazers with bone buttons (which look suspiciously like suit jackets wha has lost their trousers).

I am wondering about that metal buttoned Argyll, in navy or black wool- is it too dressy to wear to church or a garden party? Would it stand out as an Americanism?

Thanks
M'll

[Jock Scot]

Jock,

I thank you for your comment on buttons, but some of us nervous types are now worried about being OVER dressed. Here in the benighted American South, many men wear a navy blazer with metal buttons, with or without a tie. It may symbolize formality or it may simply be a place to put things ( more pockets). Lately, black blazers have turned up and also navy blazers with bone buttons (which look suspiciously like suit jackets wha has lost their trousers).

I am wondering about that metal buttoned Argyll, in navy or black wool- is it too dressy to wear to church or a garden party? Would it stand out as an Americanism?

Thanks
M'll

In my view, a blazer is not a blazer unless it has metal(brass) buttons.

As to your question and as I am not a church goer other than weddings and funerals I could not be relied upon giving an accurate answer! I will try though. I would never dream of going to many things in a morning suit, a formal wedding, Ascot, Buckingham Palace would be exceptions I suppose. The black barathea, silver buttoned argyll being the equivalent, would be completely out of place at a church service as it would be at a normal garden party.In my humble opinion, yes it would stand out as an Americanism, but as an American in the Highlands it is expected that you chaps will get it wong!LOL

[MacLowlife]

ouch, a direct hit

[MacLowlife]

Thanks, Jock. And I know the thread is Highlanders discuss Highland Attire, but just as the Pound may fluctuate from time to time against the dollar, I wonder if the equivalency of jackets is entirely different.

Again, with no authority and an exposed target ( bracing even now) I would offer this brief chart for "American highland" wear:
Casual ( hiking, golf, what have ye) Kilt, sweater
Slightly dressy casual ( yeah, yeah- drinking, mostly) kilt and jacket, no tie
Business dress ( funerals, daytime weddings, Kirkin o the tartan, dinner out)
Kilt, jacket, tie No distinction between solid and tweed jackets, waistcoats may be worn
Black tie events ( balls, dances, weddings after 6) Kilt, jacket,waistcoat, bowtie no distinction between solid argyle and PC
White tie events (balls, affairs of state, affairs with movie stars) kilt, doublet, appropriate neckwear

This may be due to the general confusion of American Dress standards and is not meant to substitute for the "one kilt, ten looks" threads, but is just my personal observation. The non kilt wearers and the kilt wearers look the same above the waist through much of the spectrum. I do note in the pictures above that tweed predominates, but have seen pictures of the Duke of Rothesay in solid jackets. I guess if he is there, it is a Big Event...

[Jock Scot]

Thanks, Jock. And I know the thread is Highlanders discuss Highland Attire, but just as the Pound may fluctuate from time to time against the dollar, I wonder if the equivalency of jackets is entirely different.

Again, with no authority and an exposed target ( bracing even now) I would offer this brief chart for "American highland" wear:
Casual ( hiking, golf, what have ye) Kilt, sweater
Slightly dressy casual ( yeah, yeah- drinking, mostly) kilt and jacket, no tie
Business dress ( funerals, daytime weddings, Kirkin o the tartan, dinner out)
Kilt, jacket, tie No distinction between solid and tweed jackets, waistcoats may be worn
Black tie events ( balls, dances, weddings after 6) Kilt, jacket,waistcoat, bowtie no distinction between solid argyle and PC
White tie events (balls, affairs of state, affairs with movie stars) kilt, doublet, appropriate neckwear

This may be due to the general confusion of American Dress standards and is not meant to substitute for the "one kilt, ten looks" threads, but is just my personal observation. The non kilt wearers and the kilt wearers look the same above the waist through much of the spectrum. I do note in the pictures above that tweed predominates, but have seen pictures of the Duke of Rothesay in solid jackets. I guess if he is there, it is a Big Event...

The Duke is renowned for having an individual dress sense, and why not? However, I have not seen him wear silver buttons on his kilt day wear jackets of whatever cloth and I would not expect him to, unless he was attending a very formal day event in the Highlands. Most of the time, like the rest of us, he gets by with tweed(tweed like) of one sort or another. He does it well too.

[creagdhubh]

The Duke is renowned for having an individual dress sense, and why not? However, I have not seen him wear silver buttons on his kilt day wear jackets of whatever cloth and I would not expect him to, unless he was attending a very formal day event in the Highlands. Most of the time, like the rest of us, he gets by with tweed(tweed like) of one sort or another. He does it well too.

I concur, HRH does it very well indeed!

[Deil the Yin]

...but as an American in the Highlands it is expected that you chaps will get it wrong! LOL

My only question is whether this is simply the thinly veiled contempt for Americans that one not infrequently encounters among Brits (I've certainly encountered it more than I'd care to), or are you speaking from personal experience by which you could site some examples? Or what's the give-away in knowing the difference between a Scot who's got it wrong and just an American?

Just curious.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Or what's the give-away in knowing the difference between a Scot who's got it wrong and just an American?

Just curious.

Two words come to mind: Attitude and accent. Make of it what you will. I have an "American Accent" and have never experienced the "thinly veiled contempt" to which you refer.

[gordontaos]

I agree with Macmillan about attitude and accent.
I moved from New York City to Dawson County, in the mountains of north Georgia, in the early 1980's. I was probably the only Yankee living in the county. However, even though I had been warned by many other Georgians about the dangers of me living in that county, I was only met with kindness and grace. Other "immigrants" were not as fortunate.
I then moved to a rural county in northern New Mexico, where as an "Anglo" I am in the minority. Again I have only been met by kindness and grace by the other two dominant cultures (Spanish and Indian).
I can only believe that the reason is attitude and accent. The attitude part can be readily understood by the reader. The accent part is a little more difficult. Everyone knows that I am not from here. I do not attempt to parody the local's speech, but I do attempt to pronounce names and places as the locals do. It goes a long long way.

[Jock Scot]

My only question is whether this is simply the thinly veiled contempt for Americans that one not infrequently encounters among Brits (I've certainly encountered it more than I'd care to), or are you speaking from personal experience by which you could site some examples? Or what's the give-away in knowing the difference between a Scot who's got it wrong and just an American?

Just curious.

I am genuinely sorry that you have felt that I have implied any contempt for Americans. As a nation, generally speaking, I hold America and Americans in high regard, perfect they are not, who is? I have met many many Americans and have enjoyed their company very much.Many of them have slept under my roof and dined with my family. They have a refreshing view on life, although an ability to laugh at themselves is deeply hidden,but when found, it is great to see! Almost to a man(women too)they come with a romantic idea of Scotland and baring that in mind it is hardly surprising that whilst they are desperately trying to fit in, they actually get it wrong.Like the fellow who insisted going stalking in his expensive handmade kilt and by the end of the day he had an expensive heap of rags and hypothermia.

Highland Scots, generally speaking, don't get it wrong when the chips are down.The kilt wearing knowledge abounds up here and there is usually someone not far away to advise. This is not meant to be offensive, or, controversial, but GENERALLY speaking the lowland Scots can on occasion get things wrong in the kilt wearing world, simply because the kilt tradition is not so deep. Not only that the hire companies do, I am afraid, lead people astray and that sad and all too common fact alone, knows no national boundary.