Moncler Gamme Bleu A/W 2013 (Milan fashion show featuring 'haute couture' kilts)

**mookien** · 22nd January 13, 04:36 PM

One thing the ensembles above do is make me feel really good about the crappy Scottish outfits I wear.

But, I do like the first two kilts and hose, and I love the warpaint, but one of the guys seems ashamed of it. He must be Italian. Maybe the ski poles are used to ward off the Italians.

And, I don't at all get the sporran-attached willie warmers. I mean just how many spares do you need?!

**CDNSushi** · 22nd January 13, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Thomas H

The sporrans are nice - what are the swords thay are carrying ?

Ski poles.

Remember folks please bear in mind that this does fall into the domain of "haute couture" -- in other words, highly experimental, and only for show. 99% of haute never makes it beyond the catwalk. Haute is the embodiment of art in motion. It's like living sculpture. In women's "haute" fashion, most pieces are also not functional and remain only for show. So if you're thinking, "I'd never wear that -- that's okay. You're not supposed to. It's a concept -- not a "ready-to-wear" item.

But even if this were being presented as "ready-to-wear", this is not traditional Highland wear, nor is it supposed to be. Fashion is highly subjective, and I posted this in the "contemporary" area for a reason. I would say that this is just about as far removed from traditional kilts as Utilikilts, or any other modern incarnation, but no less legitimate. The background on this (from my understanding) is that this fashion house was "inspired" by trad. Highlandwear -- they weren't necessarily trying to re-create it.

Again -- it's fine if you find these outfits gag-worthy, (that's not why I posted this) but that is not the reason for them. The point is to see past the gag reflex to dream and inspire new styles and looks, and to explore the realm of future possibilities. If the show has done that, then I would say the goal has been achieved.

**CDNSushi** · 22nd January 13, 05:51 PM

Thomas: Re: the riding outfit. That's really cool. But I don't like it for two reasons. One, cropped tops and high waists tend not to look right on men. (The ladies tend to be curvier than us, and I think that combination accentuates those curves) whereas this really does nothing for the straight, male figure. And second, the bottom of a necktie should never protrude from underneath your waistcoat, or coatee in this case.

Personally, if I were offered this outfit to wear, I would take the riding pants as-is (I really like them), wear the coatee but only if it were in a different pattern/color, exchange the tie for a bow tie, lose the gaiters, lose the gloves, and the jury is still out on the hat...

Oh, and I would absolutely, definitely take the dog!!!

I agree though, if those are houndstooth hose he's carrying in his hand -- cool! I do think it's a scarf though.

**mookien** · 22nd January 13, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by CDNSushi

... Remember folks please bear in mind that this does fall into the domain of "haute couture" -- in other words, highly experimental, and only for show. 99% of haute never makes it beyond the catwalk. ...

CDNSushi: Please don't take offense at my comments. I wasn't criticizing the fashion statements as much as I was exposing my deplorable ignorance of "art in motion". I still think finger painting is fun and have a difficult time understanding the horse in Guernica, ... not to mention the light bulb.

mookien

**LitTrog** · 22nd January 13, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by mookien

I still...have a difficult time understanding the horse in Guernica,

That's a horse?! Told my wife it was Tori Spelling.

**CDNSushi** · 22nd January 13, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by mookien

CDNSushi: Please don't take offense at my comments. I wasn't criticizing the fashion statements as much as I was exposing my deplorable ignorance of "art in motion". I still think finger painting is fun and have a difficult time understanding the horse in Guernica, ... not to mention the light bulb.

mookien

No offense taken. I just wanted to remind everyone that such displays aren't necessarily meant to be taken (or in this case, worn) literally.

**mookien** · 22nd January 13, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by LitTrog

That's a horse?! Told my wife it was Tori Spelling.

Hmm... Now that you mention it, there is a Picassoian resemblance in the nose bridge and muzzle.

By the way, I was about to sic a newbie on you named Christy, but I think Dale Seago answered her question. She's looking for a Burns dinner in the Denver area.

Happy "Answer Your Cat's Question Day" !

**LitTrog** · 22nd January 13, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by mookien

Hmm... Now that you mention it, there is a Picassoian resemblance in the nose bridge and muzzle.

By the way, I was about to sic a newbie on you named Christy, but I think Dale Seago answered her question. She's looking for a Burns dinner in the Denver area.

Happy "Answer Your Cat's Question Day" !

oooh! I LOVE sic girls! Married one, in fact.

Thanks for remembering such an important holiday, Mook--
Mr. Snugglebugs's question was: what is the yuckiest punctuation mark? My answer came with a clause.

**CMcG** · 22nd January 13, 08:55 PM

Interesting stuff. I wonder kind of music they were playing?

I get CNDSushi's point about haute couture being art, so I appreciate this sort of spectacle from that perspective. There were, however, a few items that caught my eye as potentially having some currency off the catwalk. There were a couple pairs of tartan hose that could be integrated into a formal rig and also the shape on the sporrans, which if they lost the squirrel tales, would be kind of neat. I also liked the cable knit jackets that others have mentioned.