Theory and practice.

[Jock Scot]

We have all no doubt discovered in life that sometimes there is a big difference between theory and practice. And some times we have to rediscover this awkward fact several times before having to accept it!

I see this happening almost weekly on this website. I give you a few examples. A picture is published of Sir Shaun Connery decked out in Highland attire, to the unwary they look at it and go "well if that is what Sir Shaun is wearing then it must be right. Right?" WRONG! His attire in that infamous picture is mismatched and inappropriate for the occasion. A photograph is published "proving" that X can be worn with Y at such and such an occasion, so the unwary say to themselves "I can't be wrong there then if I wear that ,I have proof. right?" WRONG!The picture may be of 100 years ago and things may have moved on since then. OR, the picture was wrong, maybe for theatrical reasons, right from the start. A collectors item , a museum piece even, is discovered in a dusty trunk, it is of a tartan that has never been seen before and the kilt is of some long lost and unknown design. So we must be right if we make that style as an accurate example of a kilt style,right? WRONG! There is no doubting its historical interest,but actually it bears no relevance to what is worn in Scotland today. I can't find a clan tartan so I will wear a district tartan, I can't be wrong there, right? Well nearly wrong! District tartans have little or no relevance to us in Scotland. The list goes on and on.

Sometimes we do have to accept that reality is very different to the theory and I, amongst other Scots on this website do try to gently point out the sometimes unpalatable truth to some. It can get very trying when that truth is dismissed out of hand by, sad to say, many of you. What are we to do? Not bother answering the question,some of us have given up, and I certainly have thought about not answering the questions, because of the above.

I have dismissed that idea, as I refuse to see my national dress and culture cheapened and to my eyes brought into ridicule by those that don't want to listen and apparently don't care. Well I damn well do!

To those that are really interested in Scottish attire, traditions and culture, please ask as many questions as you like and I and I hope other Scots, will be happy to help out. To those with their head in the sand and are determined to keep their head there, no matter what---------might I suggest that they --------well,---------- take up a new interest.

[Woodsheal]

Bravo, Jock! I've never really adhered to the "wear whatever you want" school of thought regarding Highland dress. In fact, your advice, and descriptions of how it's done in Scotland, run through my head whenever I'm donning the kilt and choosing what to wear with it. Though I may occasionally depart from those standards - scrunched down socks, for example - those occasions have become fewer and far between as I strive for a more mature and/or "correct" look when going out kilted. I for one appreciate all of the sage knowledge you've passed along, and would hate to see you stop!

I still love my "funny looking" box-pleated kilt, though...!

[cessna152towser]

Yes Jock I admire your knowledge of and respect for traditional Highland dress and I would wholeheartedly agree you are one of the best people on this forum for giving advice as to wearing the kilt and its accessories appropriately.

As a lowlander there is no tradition of kilt wearing in my family and it has been my personal choice to wear the kilt for comfort. Yes for a formal occasion I do sometimes wear an 8-yard kilt with an Argyll jacket, an evening sporran, flashes, brogue style shoes etc. but you are far more likely to find me casually clad in a Gold Brothers kilt or a Freedom Kilt or an R-Kilt or a Utilikilt or even one of those camoprint creations from England which are box-pleated all the way round and which are commonly accepted as kilts here in the south of Scotland. The kilt is not traditional here in the south of Scotland though it is becoming more common, there were quite a few kilts in evidence at the Border Clans day last Sunday though tartan trews were more abundant.

The only people who have been critical of my non-trad kilts have been clad in more traditional Highland garb while making the criticism, I respect their views but I reserve the right to wear modern spin off designs which are based loosely on the concept of the traditional kilt.

Guid oan ya Jock for valuing your Highland traditions and for sharing your knowledge here, I respect you for that.

[davedove]

I completely agree with what you've said Jock. It seems there are a lot of people, and not just on this forum, who seek out the anomolies to justify their point of view. And your point of view is greatly appreciated. It's good to know what a highland Scot thinks of highland dress.

However, I also don't necessarily want to dress like a highland Scot. I'm an old farm boy from southern Illinois who happens to have a bit of Scottish ancestry. And not even a lot of that; I'm mostly of English and German extraction.

The more formal I dress, the closer I stick to what you describe as the "Scottish way of doing things." But, as I get more casual, I tend to just use items from the traditional apparel and combine them with not so traditional items. I will do this for different reasons: climate, occasion, and yes sometimes whim.

BUT, I do recognize that this is departing from a traditional perspective. I think that is the real crux of the matter.

[caig]

I agree, Jock. I have had your view for some time now but did not have the nerve to post it here ! I have, many a time, not taken the time or trouble to reply to a thread here on the basis that it is, "here we go again", another question from an ill-informed member. I have also on several occasions not respnded because the outfit being depicted is so far off what i consider to be within the basic protocols for wearing the kilt. I haver to say that these threads come from outwith Scotland.

I take the view that the kilt should be worn within certain basic protocols, whilst at the same time being able to modernise or individualise it. I have several modern kilts, but I wouldnever wear one to a formal event where a jacket is required, except for the plain black which fits in with evening or formal wear.

Perhaps I should make a bigger effort and reply to more threads in order to keep educating people.

[Jock Scot]

Dave and others.

Please don't take everything I say is right! I can be often wrong! I do take your point that we all have slight differences of style and that is down to area differences, personal taste, and frankly how we feel at any one time and a host of other things. If you invited a 1000 Highland Scots to a formal ball you will get a 1000 variations of the same theme. However looked at, as a whole, those 1000 Scots will be dressed more or less the same within certain boundaries. Nevertheless, no one would suggest for one second that they are the "Brigade of Guards"!

Personal flair, circumstance, finance, knowledge, and many other things may influence our attire and I have no problem with that at all. What I do take exception to is when asked a question and I take the trouble to answer and then a whole host of posts appear totally ignoring what I have said. I am happy to discuss a difference of opinion and with a bit of luck I can learn from a different point of view, even if I may not end up agreeing with it. I might agree though---never too old to learn. To be ignored,or , the" to hell with what you say, I am bloody well going to do as I damn well please and no one is going to stop me" attitude is another matter entirely!

[Phil]

A picture is published of Sir Shaun Connery decked out in Highland attire, to the unwary they look at it and go "well if that is what Sir Shaun is wearing then it must be right. Right?" WRONG! His attire in that infamous picture is mismatched and inappropriate for the occasion.

How true, Jock. Even my wife howled with derision when she saw that atrocious outfit "Shir Shaun" wore when the Queen opened the Scottish Parliament all those years ago. A Prince Charlie with a jabot and lacey cuffs - to a daytime function as well! Here he was at an investiture again inappropriately dressed -


But, as you say, people see someone famous like that and think that such a travesty of dress is quite all right and one that they should emulate. Fine. But next you find them lecturing you on correct forms of dress, and it must be right if "Shir Shaun" or whoever else wears it.
As you say, it will always be possible to find a quotation here or a picture there to back up whatever assertion you want to make, but none of that can belie the fact of how we Scots actually dress, which is the point I think you are trying to make.

[Jock Scot]

How true, Jock. Even my wife howled with derision when she saw that atrocious outfit "Shir Shaun" wore when the Queen opened the Scottish Parliament all those years ago. A Prince Charlie with a jabot and lacey cuffs - to a daytime function as well! Here he was at an investiture again inappropriately dressed -


But, as you say, people see someone famous like that and think that such a travesty of dress is quite all right and one that they should emulate. Fine. But next you find them lecturing you on correct forms of dress, and it must be right if "Shir Shaun" or whoever else wears it.
As you say, it will always be possible to find a quotation here or a picture there to back up whatever assertion you want to make, but none of that can belie the fact of how we Scots actually dress, which is the point I think you are trying to make.

That is exactly the point I was trying to make. Thank you Phil.

[davedove]

I do understand exactly where you're coming from, Jock. I've read the posts where someone has said, "Here's my new outfit." You have responded with, "That's not really how we do things here in the Highlands."

It seems some people just don't want to accept that answer and respond just as you've said. They seem to think you're dictating to them, when you're really just trying to explain the current standards where you live.

Some folks can't seem to understand that "I'll dress however I like!" and "That's not the way we do it." are not contradictory statements.

[JSFMACLJR]

I know full well how you feel, Jock, and I doff my bonnet to you in appreciation for your words, which are much better written than mine! I've pretty much stopped commenting on the "advice" posts, because of the reactions of some, and their desire to just ignore sage and helpful suggestions.