The Importance of knowing the Rules of Kilted Fashion

[pdcorlis]

Guidelines rather than rules I suspect comes closer to the truth of it for us non-military types. As an artist, I suspect these evolved guidelines boil down to a matter of proportion. Why a wide belt and not a skinny one? Why a hand width gap between the bottom of the belt and the top of the sporran? Why a short waisted jacket and not a longer one? Why hose at four fingers below the knee and a kilt at the top of the knee? I suspect that much like the golden rectangle, these proportions have been judged more visually pleasing than all the attempted alternatives.

Bend the "rules" break the "rules" if you'd like I suppose. Why not - after all that's what fashion is all about.

Now for the matter of rubber chicken sporrans? I believe they are Dadaism pure and simple.

[Kiltman]

Guidelines rather than rules I suspect comes closer to the truth of it for us non-military types. As an artist, I suspect these evolved guidelines boil down to a matter of proportion. Why a wide belt and not a skinny one? Why a hand width gap between the bottom of the belt and the top of the sporran? Why a short waisted jacket and not a longer one? Why hose at four fingers below the knee and a kilt at the top of the knee? I suspect that much like the golden rectangle, these proportions have been judged more visually pleasing than all the attempted alternatives.

Bend the "rules" break the "rules" if you'd like I suppose. Why not - after all that's what fashion is all about.

Now for the matter of rubber chicken sporrans? I believe they are Dadaism pure and simple.

I agree with Phil. I'm also delighted that we have Matt and his cool reasoned analysis of XMTs folk.

I am retired military and understand the importance of wearing the uniform properly; but I seldom do that now except when it's Burns' Night or I'm in a SCD show.

Reason should always win out. Well, I'm a philosopher so I should think that.

[Bugbear]

I too am a fan of the Deerstalker hat, and will one day replace the one I used to have.

I followed MacMillan of Rathdown's comments and suggestions to the letter when constructing my daywear outfit. The jacket and waistcoat wern't the traditional tweed, rather brown corduroy. Jock Scot said it looked great.

I think this falls into the spirit of the tradition rather than the rules of the traditional.

[Phil]

Jock, have you not realised yet? We are two nations separated by a total lack of tradition, never mind a common language. You and I know perfectly well how to dress because that's what our parents and those before them showed us by their example. If you have ever been to America you will begin to realise that nothing is what it seems to be. French dressing (apologies here to Ancienne Alliance) in America is not a subtle blend of olive oil, wine vinegar and herbs - no - it is a raucous tomatoey concoction like nothing you have ever tasted before. The World Series superbowl isn't actually played in the world, only in America but, what the hell! Our traditions and values are not those found across the pond but instead are those created by a people divorced from their heritage by thousands of miles and hundreds of years at a time when interaction was impossible due to the communications of the age. So when you see the farragoes that purport to represent Scottish culture and tradition you must understand where they are coming from. I used to regularly encounter American tourists in Edinburgh in shorts, flowery shirts, swearing expletives uncontrollably - the whole panoply of execrable dress and behaviour and quietly shake my head in pity. And yet they probably thought they were the greatest thing since sliced bread because everybody in Poughkeepsie dresses like this and for the greatest country in the world, well that must be good enough for everyone else.

[Jock Scot]

Jock, have you not realised yet? We are two nations separated by a total lack of tradition, never mind a common language. You and I know perfectly well how to dress because that's what our parents and those before them showed us by their example. If you have ever been to America you will begin to realise that nothing is what it seems to be. French dressing (apologies here to Ancienne Alliance) in America is not a subtle blend of olive oil, wine vinegar and herbs - no - it is a raucous tomatoey concoction like nothing you have ever tasted before. The World Series superbowl isn't actually played in the world, only in America but, what the hell! Our traditions and values are not those found across the pond but instead are those created by a people divorced from their heritage by thousands of miles and hundreds of years at a time when interaction was impossible due to the communications of the age. So when you see the farragoes that purport to represent Scottish culture and tradition you must understand where they are coming from. I used to regularly encounter American tourists in Edinburgh in shorts, flowery shirts, swearing expletives uncontrollably - the whole panoply of execrable dress and behaviour and quietly shake my head in pity. And yet they probably thought they were the greatest thing since sliced bread because everybody in Poughkeepsie dresses like this and for the greatest country in the world, well that must be good enough for everyone else.

I note what you say Phil and you are right! But the Americans are far too nice to give up on!

[macwilkin]

Jock, have you not realised yet? We are two nations separated by a total lack of tradition, never mind a common language. You and I know perfectly well how to dress because that's what our parents and those before them showed us by their example. If you have ever been to America you will begin to realise that nothing is what it seems to be. French dressing (apologies here to Ancienne Alliance) in America is not a subtle blend of olive oil, wine vinegar and herbs - no - it is a raucous tomatoey concoction like nothing you have ever tasted before. The World Series superbowl isn't actually played in the world, only in America but, what the hell! Our traditions and values are not those found across the pond but instead are those created by a people divorced from their heritage by thousands of miles and hundreds of years at a time when interaction was impossible due to the communications of the age. So when you see the farragoes that purport to represent Scottish culture and tradition you must understand where they are coming from. I used to regularly encounter American tourists in Edinburgh in shorts, flowery shirts, swearing expletives uncontrollably - the whole panoply of execrable dress and behaviour and quietly shake my head in pity. And yet they probably thought they were the greatest thing since sliced bread because everybody in Poughkeepsie dresses like this and for the greatest country in the world, well that must be good enough for everyone else.

Phil -- not everyone in America is like that, though. I cringe whenever I read such stereotypes of Americans, because quite frankly, I resent that I am represented by such folks.

I do hope you didn't mean this post to sound condescending towards your American cousins, but it sure does read that way.

Todd

[Bugbear]

The thing is... I don't drink.
I do live off grapefruit for about three months each spring, though.

[JelicoCat]

It is to those I look to guide me in the prevention of embarrassing myself at function that requires proper dress (formal, semi-formal, etc) . The manner of dress and behavior during such functions is expected, nay, required. Now at the backyard BBQ, Neat and clean are really the only requirement, but I still have seen people cross the line. Lets face it, If i posted a picture of myself with a kilt inches above the knee, what would happen? Even at my backyard BBQ.

[PinkDeath]

Coming from a newbie, a female, and a non-traditionalist, I think you have to look at traditional Scottish modes of dress as coming from a different culture. If you want to fit in with a certain echelon of society (in this case Scotsmen and traditionalists), then you need to be able to dress well. That means knowing what piece of clothing goes where and why.

To illustrate, I had a friend that lived in a Central American country. When she first got there, she bought a long string of beads to wear as a necklace. A soon as she did, people started laughing at her because she didn't know that the beads were used to hold up underwear.

You need to know the basics of traditional dress, just so you don't embarass yourself. Technicalities like collar style and things that only the die-hards notice I don't particularly think is important. The length of the kilt, position of the sporan, and other basic things are a must, otherwise people will think you dress funny.

[Spartan]

I like Jock's use of the word "conventions." Although rules can be defined as "customary practice," convention can be defined as "accepted usage" and seems to me to have a sense of adaptability. I think that Panache's points are well taken.

We do need to know the usual conventions of wearing kilts in different circumstances. It was helpful to me, before I went out and did it, to learn in one of the threads not to wear a belt with a waistcoat.