Is it just me?

[tekdiver500ft]

Wear what you like. I like the look, but I like a traditionalist viewpoint in most things.

[English Bloke]

As I said Grizzly, it IS the most common "Kilt shirt" seen in Scotland so you are certainly not out of place. It's just a matter of personal preference, I don't think there is a right or wrong.

[CMcG]

...It was only after reading subsequent posts on here that I realised that perhaps it wasnt a universally accepted item of highland clothing.
...

Just to clarify, those poofy ghillie shirts aren't -- to the best of my knowledge -- Highland attire at all. Some people might wear them with kilts, but it is a logical fallacy of association to assume that they have anything to do with the Highlands. This is precisely why traditionalists avoid them.

I'm not telling you not to wear them, rather to be aware that they aren't historically or culturally related to THCD. I think it is more of a romantic, theatrical, or retail connection to the kilt

[Nick the DSM]

Just to clarify, those poofy ghillie shirts aren't -- to the best of my knowledge -- Highland attire at all. Some people might wear them with kilts, but it is a logical fallacy of association to assume that they have anything to do with the Highlands. This is precisely why traditionalists avoid them.

I'm not telling you not to wear them, rather to be aware that they aren't historically or culturally related to THCD. I think it is more of a romantic, theatrical, or retail connection to the kilt

That last comment is what I think of them. People can wear what they like, they should know that the ghillie shirt is really just a costumed piece of clothing. I won't say anything to them...especially if they have a lady in each arm...

[CMcG]

That last comment is what I think of them. People can wear what they like, they should know that the ghillie shirt is really just a costumed piece of clothing. I won't say anything to them...especially if they have a lady in each arm...

Yeah, it's really hard to argue with an article of clothing that can apparently improve one's romantic success rate, eh?

[Grizzly]

I think that there are many that would argue that the Jacobite/ ghillie shirt is as traditional as the fèileadh beag or even older.

I dont see that the modern interpretation of the léine shirt is any more non traditional than the English invented small kilt or fèileadh beag. Therefore both being modern interpretations of more ancient garments.

I agree that it looks costumey, but then if that does, so does the modern kilt, to say that one is traditional and the other not is contradictory. They are both derivations of the original garments. At least that is my understanding.

Please feel free to enlighten me, as this is a quest for knowledge to gain a better understanding, as I do consider myself to be a Traditionalist.

[CMcG]

I think that there are many that would argue that the Jacobite/ ghillie shirt is as traditional as the fèileadh beag or even older.

Is that what you are arguing?

...
Please feel free to enlighten me, as this is a quest for knowledge to gain a better understanding, as I do consider myself to be a Traditionalist.

Please refer to Matt Newsome's article on the subject of "Neo-Jacobite" attire:
http://www.albanach.org/neojacobite.html

Basically, those poofy shirts are a fairly recent invention and at best can be considered historically inspired. The kilt, on the other hand, has evolved over time and been passed down from generation to generation aka it is traditional. It also happens to be a modern garment in a way that the folk costumes of other nations are not; the kilt is both traditional and current. The theatrical nature of those ghillie shirts tends to lend an air of costuming because a traditional choice in today's day and age is a button up shirt.

For people who want to look more casual, perhaps a polo or rugby shirt might be better? Again, I'm not telling people they can't wear ghillie shirts if they want to, rather I'm arguing that A) they are not traditional and B) they are best reserved for costume-type events. Arguing that "many people like them" doesn't make them traditional or non-theatrical. If sheer numbers were any indication, we should all be wearing pants anyway

[Bugbear]

I think that there are many that would argue that the Jacobite/ ghillie shirt is as traditional as the fèileadh beag or even older.

I dont see that the modern interpretation of the léine shirt is any more non traditional than the English invented small kilt or fèileadh beag. Therefore both being modern interpretations of more ancient garments.

I agree that it looks costumey, but then if that does, so does the modern kilt, to say that one is traditional and the other not is contradictory. They are both derivations of the original garments. At least that is my understanding.

Please feel free to enlighten me, as this is a quest for knowledge to gain a better understanding, as I do consider myself to be a Traditionalist.

I don't believe the story that the English invented the small kilt.
The grandfather shirts sounded interesting, though. * Guess it was a grand-dad shirt. It's the one Jock is remembering in his post:

They look a lot too short for kilt wearing, besides the grand-dadshirts that I remember were almost down to the knees! I cannot go with the trend of them not being tucked in either. So not for me, E.B..

[Nick the DSM]

Yeah, it really hard to argue with an article of clothing that can apparently improve one's romantic success rate, eh?

Agreed!

[Grizzly]

Colin please dont get me wrong I am not arguing anything, Just trying to get a better understanding of why we wear what we wear.

Unfortunately the link you posted to Matts website doesnt seem to be working. I will try it again later.

Thank you for taking the time to explain things to me.