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[Kiltedmusiclover]

Matt,

Glad to see you made it to the forum.
I highly recommend his books and CDs.
I purchased his Compendium of District Tartans
this past weekend. It is an outstanding
resource.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Thank you all!

Hamish, I've been reading through the board and you always seem to be a voice of reason.

I do have to correct you -- I have not written a book on modern day kilt wearing (though that's not to say I might not in the future). My book on Early Highland Dress is in fact the opposite!

Part of why I have not written a book on contemporary kilt wearing is that the main point that I stress to new kilt wearers is that (unless you are a member of a military regiment, pipe band, or some other group where the kilt is part of your uniform) there are no rules! The kilt is not a uniform, it's a peice of clothing. And while we can exchange our opinions on what we think may or may not be fashionable, it comes down to just good fashion sense (an eye for color and pattern, as I think you have said).

And writing a book on the matter would seem to reenforce the notion that there is a system of "rules" in place. In fact, I think Scotty's book has often mistakenly been granted the status of a "rule book" when in fact it is not.

I'll reccomend another good book to you -- All About Your Kilt by Bob Martin. Bob is a kilt maker and kilt historian, and hasn't worn a pair of pants in about 30 years. He knows more about the subject of the kilt than just about anyone alive. He's also in the Guild of Scholars, and his book's been published by Scotpress (same as my Early Highland Dress).

You can get it in the UK through the STA, or you can order it through our museum's gift shop, or direct from Scotpress.com. We sell it for $19.95 (or on CD-ROM for $12.95). The advantage of teh CD-ROM is that all illustrations are in full color, whereas the print book is black and white.

It is similar to SYGTWTK as far as subject matter, but Bob has a few differences of opinion with Scotty, and also includes much more history for us.

Aye,
Matt

[highlandtide]

Does anyone else feel completely honored that we have such an awsome membership here?

[Raphael]

May be Matt can answer one more question:

With or Without?

[bear]

Part of why I have not written a book on contemporary kilt wearing is that the main point that I stress to new kilt wearers is that (unless you are a member of a military regiment, pipe band, or some other group where the kilt is part of your uniform) there are no rules! The kilt is not a uniform, it's a peice of clothing. And while we can exchange our opinions on what we think may or may not be fashionable, it comes down to just good fashion sense (an eye for color and pattern, as I think you have said).

Hi Matt,
It's refreshing to see a logical, well researched, well considered article regarding Celtic clothing, particularily as I agree with what I've read.
One of my company slogans is, Kilts are garments, not costumes!" I take some heat for that now and then from staunch 'traditionalists' who take one point in time of the history of the kilt and state that the kilt should be worn that way.
I will definately look forward to reading more of your work.

[Graham]

Does anyone else feel completely honored that we have such an awsome membership here?

YES you can include me there!

Welcome back Matthew, as I said in an email, I've enjoyed your writing for some in the Banner.

Your last article I liked so much I decided I wanted an electronic version to put on my Palm, so I scanned the whole thing, took ages, only to later find it available on your website!! stupid me!

Thanks for making your work freely available too, that is a mark of real charity (in the Biblical sense of the word).

I'll be ordering your book soon!

I hope you enjoy this forum, I guess it is really here to encourage those, like me, who want to see the tradition of everyday kiltwearing revived and promoted everywhere, both in the New Worlds (USA, Canada, Australia, NZ etc) as well as the "old country".

[Hamish]

Thank you all!

Hamish, I've been reading through the board and you always seem to be a voice of reason.

Too kind, Matt. Too kind!

I do have to correct you -- I have not written a book on modern day kilt wearing (though that's not to say I might not in the future). My book on Early Highland Dress is in fact the opposite!

I did not mean to imply that you had actually written the book. It's your "Patented Advice" which, I think, just about says it all and that in itself might be published as a book - or book(let)!

Part of why I have not written a book on contemporary kilt wearing is that the main point that I stress to new kilt wearers is that (unless you are a member of a military regiment, pipe band, or some other group where the kilt is part of your uniform) there are no rules! The kilt is not a uniform, it's a peice of clothing. And while we can exchange our opinions on what we think may or may not be fashionable, it comes down to just good fashion sense (an eye for color and pattern, as I think you have said).

Yes, I have said, and tried to stress the importance of that, many times over the years! I cannot tell you, Matt, just how good it is to hear someone else mention "good fashion sense" and the importance of colour, pattern, texture, etc. in connection with our kilt wearing. Whilst respect for The Tartan is vitally important, there can sometimes be too strong an emphasis put upon the necessity for traditional accessories when, very often, those accessories are absolutely unnecessary. When dressed casually in my kilts I have no wish to be decked out like a Christmas tree, but when attending a formal Dinner or an Annual Ball I do. When casually attired, I could be wearing shorts or leisure slacks were I not kilted; when dressed for a formal event I am wearing a uniform. We can all follow the "rules" for the latter but, as you say, there are no rules for the former - and that is where so many kilt wearers, especially newcomers to 'The Faith', need encouragement, advice and help to avoid looking a mess!

And writing a book on the matter would seem to reenforce the notion that there is a system of "rules" in place. In fact, I think Scotty's book has often mistakenly been granted the status of a "rule book" when in fact it is not.

I'll reccomend another good book to you -- All About Your Kilt by Bob Martin. Bob is a kilt maker and kilt historian, and hasn't worn a pair of pants in about 30 years. He knows more about the subject of the kilt than just about anyone alive. He's also in the Guild of Scholars, and his book's been published by Scotpress (same as my Early Highland Dress).

I have the book, Matt, and I agree it is an excellent work (in spite of the fact that it appears to have been run off on a photocopier!). Curiously though, I still sense that it was written for North American, rather than Scottish or other, readers; I don't know why!!

You can get it in the UK through the STA, or you can order it through our museum's gift shop, or direct from Scotpress.com. We sell it for $19.95 (or on CD-ROM for $12.95). The advantage of teh CD-ROM is that all illustrations are in full color, whereas the print book is black and white.

It is similar to SYGTWTK as far as subject matter, but Bob has a few differences of opinion with Scotty, and also includes much more history for us.

Aye,
Matt

The colour illustrations of the CD-ROM would be a huge improvement. I'll see if I can get a copy over here as purchasing from overseas usually incurs additional charges.

Many. many thanks, Matt. I say again: it's good to have you aboard the jolly ship "X Marks..."

[Kilt Ted]

Matt

Fantastic to have you on the forums

What an excellent and informative article, I look forward to reading through the rest of your web site.

Slainte to you.

Rob

[M. A. C. Newsome]

May be Matt can answer one more question:
With or Without?

As for what I wear, you'll have to ask my wife.

As for what the rest of you guys wear, I don't need to know! lol...


Matt

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I did not mean to imply that you had actually written the book. It's your "Patented Advice" which, I think, just about says it all and that in itself might be published as a book - or book(let)!

Hmmm... with a little editing that might just be a good idea!

I have the book, Matt, and I agree it is an excellent work (in spite of the fact that it appears to have been run off on a photocopier!). Curiously though, I still sense that it was written for North American, rather than Scottish or other, readers; I don't know why!!

Scotpress is obviously a small, special interest publisher. While that is good, because I doubt we could get a major publishing house interested in books like Early Highland Dress and All About Your Kilt, the down side is that they are not quite as high tech as a major publishing house. They use local printers, as far as I know.

A while ago they moved from WV to AL and began to use a new printer there. When they did, their binding changed and the print quality declined. I think they have worked through that, though, as the most recent batch of Early Highland Dress they sent me turned out much better in terms of the print.

I agree, the color photos are invaluable in a work like Bob's. (Which is why I have both the book and the disk).

Aye,
Matt