Theory and practice.

[Joseph McLaren]

I'm a little late to this thread, but I'd like to add my view.

There are, undeniably, a set of rules associated with the wearing of traditional Highland dress. They have evolved slowly over a long time. Although the letter and interpretation of the fine detail of those rules can be mulled over and dissected ad infinitum, in the main those rules are set.

HOWEVER. No one is going to enforce those rules except yourself. A true gentleman will never tell you to your face that you've dressed inappropriately (unless you ask him!). If you want to break the rules, go ahead.

I just think that it's always better to KNOW the rules before you break them. That's the difference between defiance and a mistake.

just my view~ I greatly appreciate the input of our traditionalists, particularly Jock, and would urge them all to keep it up and fight the good fight!

[Jock Scot]

I know you didn't mean it this way, but I'm going to take it this way.
"Beware old Scottish women telling you how you must wear your kilt".

Actually Tony and Matt there are places in Scotland that would consider that were not properly dressed without ghillies, whilst wearing the kilt. So maybe this lady came from one of those areas and one should not be surprised at her thoughts. Books and pictures are not always useful in gauging a local situation.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Phil is right Robert, wear your kilt here. Strangely,I think you would get away with much kinder thoughts than perhaps an American might.Why? I think most Scots would think" Oh right a French kilt, never knew what one looked like before hummm............!

Well I guess that good auld Alliance strikes again...


Best,

Robert

[Jock Scot]

I'm a little late to this thread, but I'd like to add my view.

There are, undeniably, a set of rules associated with the wearing of traditional Highland dress. They have evolved slowly over a long time. Although the letter and interpretation of the fine detail of those rules can be mulled over and dissected ad infinitum, in the main those rules are set.

HOWEVER. No one is going to enforce those rules except yourself. A true gentleman will never tell you to your face that you've dressed inappropriately (unless you ask him!). If you want to break the rules, go ahead.

I just think that it's always better to KNOW the rules before you break them. That's the difference between defiance and a mistake.

just my view~ I greatly appreciate the input of our traditionalists, particularly Jock, and would urge them all to keep it up and fight the good fight!

It is unfair just to pick me out! There are other Scots and traditionalists that add their views too and they make very good points. THANK GOODNESS! PHEW! We could always do with a bit more support though!Sometimes I do fell like General Custer! I am not on a crusade here, well alright a small one, and I have no wish to upset anyone, but I do think it is healthy to dispel some myths and misconceptions once in a while, just to put the record straight and hopefully make people think of what they are doing with my/our national dress. I am also fully aware that people on this website have no intention(I think?? ) of upsetting me, or far more importantly, the residents of my country.

[JRB]

So, what is the general perception among Scots of the multiple caln tartan hues available? I'm referring to ancient, muted, weathered, etc. clan tartans. Would those be considered an affront to tradition as well? Just curious as I've noticed a rise in the popularity of non-modern colored/dyed clan tartans in the past few years.

[Tony Miles]

The modern Scot has this idea of what a "real" kilt is :.....it is an 8 yard,wool, clan tartan,knife pleated,(to the sett, although I doubt that most would know what that was) ------a tank if you like. Anything else is not a "real" kilt.

So another question for you Jock if you have the time. Some tartans just look really cool when they're pleated to the strip instead of the sett - so would a kilt that fits all of the above except pleated to the stripe instead of the sett be considered bad form and not a 'real" kilt??

[Jock Scot]

So another question for you Jock if you have the time. Some tartans just look really cool when they're pleated to the strip instead of the sett - so would a kilt that fits all of the above except pleated to the stripe instead of the sett be considered bad form and not a 'real" kilt??

Pleated to the sett is the norm and unless you instruct your kilt maker to the contrary that is what you will get.Worth remembering that if you order a kilt to be made in Scotland. I think to the stripe looks far to busy and it can depend on the tartan whether it can be done. But bad form, no it is not. Brash it may be. But assuming the kilt was built on traditional lines, then it would be a real kilt.

[Jock Scot]

So, what is the general perception among Scots of the multiple caln tartan hues available? I'm referring to ancient, muted, weathered, etc. clan tartans. Would those be considered an affront to tradition as well? Just curious as I've noticed a rise in the popularity of non-modern colored/dyed clan tartans in the past few years.

I think it was in the early 1950's when the "modern" hue had a competitor with the coming of the "ancient" hues and I remember my father getting a kilt made in the new "ancient" colours. There were considerable and unflattering mutters from all the family! Times have moved on! Until the weathered and muted hues arrived! Not at all popular at the time! Times have moved on again and whilst not altogether universally accepted, not much is said these days. If I was going to get a new kilt made and I might,I would(I am!) seriously considering the weathered tartan of my clan. If I were you, get the hue that you like, but if you want the most versatile hue, then go for the ancient. Although that may depend a bit on the tartan and the mill it comes from.

[KFCarter]

Phil is right Robert, wear your kilt here. Strangely,I think you would get away with much kinder thoughts than perhaps an American might.Why? I think most Scots would think" Oh right a French kilt, never knew what one looked like before hummm............! I think the thoughts for Americans wearing a box pleated Newsom style kilt would be " what the heck is that! Oh he's an American, oh well what do they know about kilts, they are bound to get it wrong!" Sorry chaps you really ought to be in the pub listening to the locals after you have left! It is wrong and it is unfair and it does not happen all the time, but that is the way it is sometimes, and to be fair, the comments are justified on occasion.

I think it's safe to say that most of us who wear the kilt in America don't much care what's said about us in a pub after we leave (or anywhere else for that matter) or we wouldn't be wearing the kilt. We'd simply wear some ill-fitting dockers or jeans and a polo shirt and quietly disappear into the woodwork...

Having said that, I do care about tradition and I'm very glad to have been able to hear from folks like Jock, Phil and other Scots and traditionalists on this site. For me, I came to kilts out of a love and respect for my family history, and an appreciation for the fact that many branches on my tree lead back to Scotland. That plus the fact that two very important mentors I had as a young man were native Scots (who were always simultaneously bemused and touched by the intensity of my interest in their homeland) are the factors that have driven my strong interest in my Scottish heritage. For that reason my choices have been guided very much by the traditional voices on this site, modified to a degree by a common sense approach to the sub-tropical climate of my home and tempered by an understanding that the traditional end of the spectrum does have some gradations in color.

No need to feel like Custer, Jock. Of those who choose alternate approaches to kilts, the ones who are secure in their own personal choices aren't going to feel slighted or attacked when you challenge those choices. Spirited disagreement never has to be disagreeable!

[Riverkilt]

Wow! This thread sure blossomed! Enjoying the experience for sure.

My only thought is that had Scots conquered the World as they were inended to by the Creator those Scots that inhabited various areas of the globe would have no doubt made FUNCTIONAL changes in traditional garb to cope with the local presenting conditions - just as many descendents of Scottish emmigrants have.

Ron