A Definition of the Term, T R A D I T I O N A L

[macwilkin]

One question I have- did Victorian Highlanders working the field in their one and only kilt do it in formalwear? If not... then why is casual wear not acceptable as "traditional"? I can't see Angus MacFarmer wearing his Arylle when he was slaughtering his sheep- or am I mistaken that the Highlanders were so poor that they couldn't afford Victorian fineries to use as day to day wear? I've been reading this thread trying to see where the day to day wear of the traditional Highlander comes in, but it hasn't been mentioned. One thing we sometimes forget- and this is also from the perspective of someone involved in historical reenactment- is that the paintings and books and guidlines we go by for these things are all of people of higher society. Mr MacFarmer wouldn't have had his portrait painted, but that doesn't mean his more casual style didn't exist or is a less valid srtyle.

On the other hand, I do insist on dressing as the circumstances require- I will dress as others define tradition for things like weddings and Burns Suppers and such, so I do appreciate this forum and the information presented here- it will be very useful for those higher social occasions.

Matt has a fantastic article on his blog illustrating "working kilts" in the 19th century, but I can't find at the moment.

T.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Matt has a fantastic article on his blog illustrating "working kilts" in the 19th century, but I can't find at the moment.

T.

See:
http://kiltmaker.blogspot.com/2005/1...h-century.html

This blog post features one of my favorite paintings by Richard Ansdell, "Sheep Washing in Glen Lyon."


What this fellow is wearing to wash his sheep in, while not formal by any means, is a far cry from what most of us consider "casual" today -- let alone "work clothes."

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

One question I have- did Victorian Highlanders working the field in their one and only kilt do it in formalwear? If not... then why is casual wear not acceptable as "traditional"? I can't see Angus MacFarmer wearing his Arylle when he was slaughtering his sheep- or am I mistaken that the Highlanders were so poor that they couldn't afford Victorian fineries to use as day to day wear? I've been reading this thread trying to see where the day to day wear of the traditional Highlander comes in, but it hasn't been mentioned. One thing we sometimes forget- and this is also from the perspective of someone involved in historical reenactment- is that the paintings and books and guidlines we go by for these things are all of people of higher society. Mr MacFarmer wouldn't have had his portrait painted, but that doesn't mean his more casual style didn't exist or is a less valid srtyle. (emphasis added by MoR)

On the other hand, I do insist on dressing as the circumstances require- I will dress as others define tradition for things like weddings and Burns Suppers and such, so I do appreciate this forum and the information presented here- it will be very useful for those higher social occasions.

Certainly in the case of Scottish painting and portraiture there are any number of examples of "the common folk" very accurately depicted. "A Highland Wedding" which is on view in the Historical Attire forum being one, of many examples. Certainly, beginning in the 1830s and with the introduction of photography, the mode of dress of the working class Highlanders was captured for posterity.

"How they dressed at labour" is an interesting question-- and the answer depends on several things. What were they doing, and when were they doing it? In other words, what is the historical context? An Argyll-shire plowman in 1740 or a Highland shoe maker in 1825? Work clothes would, and did, vary enormously from job to job and from place to place. By the very nature of their being both utilitarian and transient in nature work clothes never became traditional in the same way that a style of jacket or hat, both widely worn, would come to be regarded as traditional Highland attire.

What your question fails to take into consideration is that society used to be far more formal than it is today. Even the most humble farmer would have had his "Sunday best", and would have worn it when not engaged in labouring in the field. Casual, as we define it today (tee shirt, baseball cap, kilt) didn't exist until quite recently, and the very concept of "casual" -- as you might define it-- would have probably offended Mr. MacFarmer's sense of dignity. He might be a plowman, but he saw himself as being as much of a gentleman as the Laird whose land he tilled.

Since "casual" didn't exist until recently, I suppose that's why traditionalists tend to focus on the "Sunday best" aspect of Highland attire.

[thescot]

. . .Even the most humble farmer would have had his "Sunday best", and would have worn it when not engaged in labouring in the field. Casual, as we define it today (tee shirt, baseball cap, kilt) didn't exist until quite recently, and the very concept of "casual" -- as you might define it-- would have probably offended Mr. MacFarmer's sense of dignity. He might be a plowman, but he saw himself as being as much of a gentleman as the Laird whose land he tilled.

Since "casual" didn't exist until recently, I suppose that's why traditionalists tend to focus on the "Sunday best" aspect of Highland attire.

Good point--as usual, MacMillan. My grandfather was a railroad engineer from the days of shovelling coal into the firebox, and you can imagine that it was not "clean" work. Blue collars were worn for a reason.

But on Sunday, in his Hickey Freeman or Hart Schafner & Marx suit, he was indistinguishable from the local bankers and lawyers. In fact, "casual" was not even a consideration since, until very recently, there was little time for anything but work, sleep, and church. As a boy, when I went to town with my grandfather, we always donned suits and ties and wore fedoras! (Yes, I had my own fedora at age 6 from a haberdashery.) And we wouldn't have even considered getting onto a train or plane without dressing up until the 1970s. I recall watching a farmer see his son off--probably to Viet Nam--in the 1960s wearing his best starched pair of overalls with a starched dress shirt and tie. Propriety in dress!

I doubt seriously that many--if any--workmen of the 1800s wore kilts at all since it was probably only King George IV's visit that rekindled any desire to wear one, and that desire was restricted to the monied classes. At least no one in the lowlands would have been wearing kilts I think.

But then, I was a very little boy in the 1800s and my memory is not that good, so don't quote me!

[davedove]

MacMillan is right. Up until maybe 40-50 years ago, there was no concept of "casual" clothes. A person had work clothes and nice clothes. The only time you saw a person in work clothes is when they were either working or on their way to or from a job. They dressed up to go out in public.

People used to wear at least a jacket and tie just to go to the diner or to a ball game. And that's assuming they had any free time; many of the lower classes didn't. The only time you saw jeans on someone was when they were working at manual labor, or possibly a social outcast.

The main difference between the classes was that the commoners had the one set of good clothes and the well-to-do would have several of more expensive materials.

[Nighthawk]

Certainly in the case of Scottish painting and portraiture there are any number of examples of "the common folk" very accurately depicted. "A Highland Wedding" which is on view in the Historical Attire forum being one, of many examples. Certainly, beginning in the 1830s and with the introduction of photography, the mode of dress of the working class Highlanders was captured for posterity.

"How they dressed at labour" is an interesting question-- and the answer depends on several things. What were they doing, and when were they doing it? In other words, what is the historical context? An Argyll-shire plowman in 1740 or a Highland shoe maker in 1825? Work clothes would, and did, vary enormously from job to job and from place to place. By the very nature of their being both utilitarian and transient in nature work clothes never became traditional in the same way that a style of jacket or hat, both widely worn, would come to be regarded as traditional Highland attire.

What your question fails to take into consideration is that society used to be far more formal than it is today. Even the most humble farmer would have had his "Sunday best", and would have worn it when not engaged in labouring in the field. Casual, as we define it today (tee shirt, baseball cap, kilt) didn't exist until quite recently, and the very concept of "casual" -- as you might define it-- would have probably offended Mr. MacFarmer's sense of dignity. He might be a plowman, but he saw himself as being as much of a gentleman as the Laird whose land he tilled.

Since "casual" didn't exist until recently, I suppose that's why traditionalists tend to focus on the "Sunday best" aspect of Highland attire.

You are correct- I didn't think of it from that aspect. Thanks for that answer! It actually sums up my own attitudes towards nights out. I will be wearin at the very least a nice Van Heusen, nice shoes, hose up- and that's if I'm going to nothing so fancy as a pub.

[Bugbear]

You are correct- I didn't think of it from that aspect. Thanks for that answer! It actually sums up my own attitudes towards nights out. I will be wearin at the very least a nice Van Heusen, nice shoes, hose up- and that's if I'm going to nothing so fancy as a pub.

Be careful Hawk, learning about traditional Highland attire is addictive.

They'll have you in a jabot, patent leather buckle shoes, and evening Argyle before long.

[JSFMACLJR]

Even the most humble farmer would have had his "Sunday best", and would have worn it when not engaged in labouring in the field. .

Many farmers and crofters and fisher folk on the Isle of Mull, prior to 1800, worked naked so that they wouldn't soil their only suit of clothes.

[Rex_Tremende]

Many farmers and crofters and fisher folk on the Isle of Mull, prior to 1800, worked naked so that they wouldn't soil their only suit of clothes.

This tradition is apparently making a comeback.

Naked Fridays: Taking Casual All the Way
July 10, 2009 at 9:29 am by: John Phillips
In Newcastle upon Tyne, England, a company called onebestway is stretching the limits of the proverb that necessity is the mother of invention. With the company’s business tanking in these terrible economic times, the boss had an idea. Everyone should come to work naked on Fridays.

It’s working. It took some getting used to, but the employees like it. Business isn’t booming, but it’s better. By appreciating one’s own body and the bodies of coworkers, teamwork has taken on new meaning.

Oh, I know. This post will end up in the recycle bin any minute.

Regards,
Rex.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Many farmers and crofters and fisher folk on the Isle of Mull, prior to 1800, worked naked so that they wouldn't soil their only suit of clothes.

I've been to Mull..... bbrrrrr.......