Style, Fashion Rules, traditions, Flat caps, and the missing element...

[GDub]

There have been some lively discussions her over the last few days concerning traditional highland attire and the rules of fashion (not to mention flat caps! ).

But Ladies and Gentlemen of X Marks the Scot.com we have not discussed the missing element of Style...

Our own flair and individuality.

...

Style is a wonderful mixture of tradition, color sense, fashion rules (including knowing where to bend or even break them), practicality, and that all important factor...

...our own unique selves.

Many years ago my wife went to a "consultant" to help her dial in her color and pattern "harmonies." Consequently, she has her own personal wheel of color swatches which she adheres to when purchasing any article of clothing. Does it work for her? You betcha! IMHO the money she paid that consultant was money well spent!

But just knowing what colors work most flatteringly with one's harmony is only part of the equation. I joke about wearing flat caps Samuel Jackson style because he somewhat famously wears his backwards. But the truth is, a backward turned flat cap suits my face much better that wearing it normally--ie, it better suits my harmony.

As for more traditional kilt attire, on some it suits them to a tee. On others, well... Bending the "rules" can bring one back into one's personal harmony. I think that's why some can pull off a very casual presentation and wear baseball hats or hawaiian shirts or whatever with a kilt and look good....

[O'Callaghan]

Many years ago my wife went to a "consultant" to help her dial in her color and pattern "harmonies." Consequently, she has her own personal wheel of color swatches which she adheres to when purchasing any article of clothing. Does it work for her? You betcha! IMHO the money she paid that consultant was money well spent!

But just knowing what colors work most flatteringly with one's harmony is only part of the equation. I joke about wearing flat caps Samuel Jackson style because he somewhat famously wears his backwards. But the truth is, a backward turned flat cap suits my face much better that wearing it normally--ie, it better suits my harmony.

As for more traditional kilt attire, on some it suits them to a tee. On others, well... Bending the "rules" can bring one back into one's personal harmony. I think that's why some can pull off a very casual presentation and wear baseball hats or hawaiian shirts or whatever with a kilt and look good....

The only reason to wear a flat cap backwards is to ride a motorcycle, preferably one with floorboards, acetylene lights and a hand shifter.

[Juggalotus]

I don't have much fashion sense to begin with, so I don't really care about it when I'm wearing a kilt. I wear what I wear because it is comfortable. If that means sketchers with my hose down, a backwards baseball cap and a hoodie, well, I'm the comfortable one. I have noticed that regardless of whatever else I'm wearing, the kilt is what starts the conversation.

[Raphael]

I wasn't trying to bait the traditionalists. In fact, I think the traditional way of dressing is fantastic. I was just trying to say that how we can express ourselves differently through a piece of clothing and to create our own styles.

I have no problem in wearing the kilt, but I still feel a little insecure in wearing the traditional dress because I am not right. I feel like that I am trying too hard to fit into another culture. I already ignore all the comments about me trying to dress up like a Scot. Dressing myself up the traditional Scottish way won't sit well with me. That's why I mix other elements of my life to create a fusion style. I just want to dress in a way that I am comfortable in.

[macwilkin]

I wasn't trying to bait the traditionalists. In fact, I think the traditional way of dressing is fantastic. I was just trying to say that how we can express ourselves differently through a piece of clothing and to create our own styles.

I have no problem in wearing the kilt, but I still feel a little insecure in wearing the traditional dress because I am not right. I feel like that I am trying too hard to fit into another culture. I already ignore all the comments about me trying to dress up like a Scot. Dressing myself up the traditional Scottish way won't sit well with me. That's why I mix other elements of my life to create a fusion style. I just want to dress in a way that I am comfortable in.

Point taken and accepted, Raphael.

T.

[Kilted.Genarian]

Though many may dispute my stance, I've always taken the "rules" spoken of on this forum as the "Sunday-go-to-meetin'" style of kilt wearing. I can't help but believe that my ancestors would have tried to abide by these "rules" as closely as they could afford -- but not having a splendid sporran or a proper Prince Charlie jacket would certainly not have prevented my parents or grandparents from going to church or attending the local town board meeting.

I was raised to believe that my inability to dispose of anything that could be "re-purposed" into anything else, was due to a genetic condition: "Scots Thrift" (I think it's now called "Hoarder's Syndrome"): I now own my grandfather's hunting vest which was re-purposed from an uncle's discarded tarp; My first overcoat was fashioned by my mother from a suit that my dad had out grown; My great aunts were delighted when my dad "ruined" his play-clothes -- Quilting squares!

I really have no use nor desire for all the fancy equipment. My sporran is a Dooney&Bourke purse (Cheap, from Ebay)-- quality leather, perfect sporran shape, "shoulder" strap that easily fits around my girth, solid brass fittings (I do plan, someday, to add tassels). As a thrifty Scot, I'm more tickled by finding this "re-purposed" treasure than I would be by shelling out beaucoup bucks for a 'genuine' (assembly line) sporran. My kilts are repro, wool/acrylic blends -- also from Ebay. My kilt pin is homemade, (not by me) wood and brass.

I assume that, historically, there have been more 'poor' scots than 'wealthy' and feel sure that most would have done the best they could with what they had. I'm more comfortable just 'making do' than I would be by being politically correct. The 'costume vs. clothing' debate comes to mind -- My kit feels like clothing and I think that I'd feel costumed in a 'proper' kilt outfit. Someday, when someone notifies me that I'm actually Scottish Royalty, I may have to upgrade my attitude, but till then, I'll wear suspenders with my kilt!

[pdcorlis]

Beauty, it is said, is in the eye of the beholder...

[ccga3359]

Jamie be warned that one day full faced rubber chicken sporrans will be the norm but way before then I'll've moved on to my full faced sheep sporran. Right now I'm just trying to figure out how to get a surprised look on my mutton.

[BEEDEE]

Jamie be warned that one day full faced rubber chicken sporrans will be the norm but way before then I'll've moved on to my full faced sheep sporran. Right now I'm just trying to figure out how to get a surprised look on my mutton.

Like this perhaps?





Brian

[ccga3359]

Like this perhaps?

Not quite Brian, your sporran looks like it knew something was coming. Mine has to have the look of absolute horror.