Freedom in Tradition

[tripleblessed]

I have never argued in favor of bad taste. I personally enjoy looking well put
together. I personally spend time on this forum because I enjoy knowledge,
and this is a wonderful source of same. I marvel at both the breadth and depth of the knowledge and experience shared here by all, including those accused of authoritarian leanings. Maybe ESPECIALLY those. I absolutely relish MoR's wonderful ability to choose the most deliciously perfect word to convey idea and attitude at the same time. I treasure Jock Scot's willingness to be direct in an arena many of his peers might think beneath them or a waste of their time.I'm amazed by JSFMacLean's experience, and the libraries required to make the references they and Thistledown and others make. I stand in awe of the skills displayed on the DIY forum. Most of all, I appreciate everyone's willingness to share their time and knowledge. If I appear to be bridling, it is only at the concept that we as individuals have the RIGHT to tell others how they MUST do it. I will always stand for the individual right to choose. Think how you want, in public be civil, welcoming, compassionate. Our forebears did not have the variety of kit
available to many here, but they would not have been turned away or
shunned at most events for having worn a day sporran to an evening event,
in most cases. Personal opinion only. I don't speak for any group of rebel
dissidents attempting to destroy Highland Dress. Nor am I attempting to inflame the forum or tease the mods. I just refuse to take personal insult if some bozo shows in inappropriate attire.

[Bugbear]

Um, never mind.

[davedove]

It's always good to know the conventions on how things are done. When dressing a certain way, I like to know how everyone else does it.

Of course, there is also that rebellious streak in me, like I imagine is in some of the others, that just wants to say "Nobody is going to tell me how to dress." Although, if that is how you feel most of the time, why are you on the traditional forum?

But, the best way I know how to put it is - if you are going to push the boundaries, you have to know where those boundaries are.

[wildrover]

Well first off, my bad above, nobody got the joke or it was misinterpreted, so never mind. It wasn't intended to be malicious. If anyone wants an explanation, I'm willing to talk about it, but it's not terribly important and I'd rather not trash the thread with a big discussion that's totally unrelated to the topic. Sorry, joke went flat, nobody got the reference, post was edited, end of story. Probably best to edit the quoted text as well, so it's not sitting around confusing people.

Back to the thread...

Of course, there is also that rebellious streak in me, like I imagine is in some of the others, that just wants to say "Nobody is going to tell me how to dress." Although, if that is how you feel most of the time, why are you on the traditional forum?

I think it's the distinction between "nobody is going to tell me I have to wear tweed" and "nobody is going to tell me I have to wear a jacket". Individualism within traditional guidelines is the first, the second is the modern forum.

if you are going to push the boundaries, you have to know where those boundaries are.

That, and good taste, plus personal taste.

For example, I don't think every tartan will look good as a kilt/vest combo...not just the classic Loud MacLeod look, either.

It's also easy to either start matching everything, or avoid matching anything. Balancing what you're wearing takes a lot more thought, when it's a kilt, socks, flashes, shoes, shirt, vest, tie, jacket, pocket square, and maybe even a flower in your lapel.

Here's an example I like...this is a tartan vest done right. The whole thing is done right...there isn't any one item that particularly stands out. It's balanced. Also, the tartan is bold, but doesn't (to my eye) require adjusting one's optical gain the way some examples do. Incidentally, one of Matt's photos in the TCHD example thread shows something similar, in red


Another tartan vest done right...it's bright, but it's well-balanced, and the extras break up the dominant red background. In my opinion, putting together a kit like this is risky...it'll either look great, or painful, since there's so much of such a dominant color. I'm guessing a lot of thought went in to this, because it looks awesome.


Here's another example. I don't know if that tartan would look good as a vest. To my eye, it wouldn't. The kit is balanced around the kilt, and note what doesn't match, but works perfectly well. Also note that the cut and style of vest and jacket are available, but not common.


What's the most common type of shirt worn with a kilt jacket and/or vest? I'm going to guess white or blue, button up, long sleeve. Second might go to windowpane. How about white collar, or collar and cuffs, with a solid color body? This could just be camera angle and flash, or some visual trick of the lanyard he's wearing, but whether it is or not, I see it working out.