TCHD insights from non-Highland clothing

[OC Richard]

I just now came across this video Classic Not Costumey which touches on a number of subjects we encounter in traditional civilian Highland Dress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWWh-vG70XI

It's about modern men who love the quality, fit, and look of clothing from the 1920s through 1940s but want to avoid looking like they're re-enactors or cosplayers dressing to look like they are from a previous age.

Some things that I feel are especially relevant to Highland Dress:

0:35 Some fashions of the past should be left in the past; if incorporated into a modern outfit they make it look costumey.

1:34 In general only clothes from the 1920s and after can be smoothly blended into modern outfits.

8:23 The "cumulative costume effect" where adding too many accessories turns an otherwise normal outfit into a costume.

9:48 An example of this, taking an ordinary modern suit and adding too many vintage accessories, turning it into a costume.

13:04 Don't pick one vintage fashion icon and try to copy his dress exactly. The key is to develop your personal style.

[Touchstone]

I just now came across this video Classic Not Costumey which touches on a number of subjects we encounter in traditional civilian Highland Dress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWWh-vG70XI

From Gentleman's Gazette, a great resource for higher end menswear. Can be a little "idiosyncratic" as the video you cite demonstrates.

Tons of articles and videos including one on highland wear which appears to be mostly accurate.

(Yes, that's a picture of Panache towards the bottom.)

[OC Richard]

Gentleman's Gazette...on Highland wear...

In my opinion that article is terrible in that it makes the quite recent Kilt Hire look seem acceptable, normal, and traditional.

[Touchstone]

In my opinion that article is terrible in that it makes the quite recent Kilt Hire look seem acceptable, normal, and traditional.

Yes and no, I'd say. For example, he does say things like "note that white and off-white hose are often seen but are deplored by some" so he's seen some anti-kilt-hire advice.

Troglodyte - note that he seems to have given in on the brogues, although he mentions only buckled and ghillie.

[OC Richard]

Yes and no, I'd say. For example, he does say things like "note that white and off-white hose are often seen but are deplored by some" so he's seen some anti-kilt-hire advice.

For people who scan the article and don't read every word, the photos promote the Kilt Hire look.

Since that is diametrically opposed to their normal ethos (if doing a video about tuxedos they wouldn't only show photos of modern cheap Tux Shop attire) I can only assume that they really don't know much about Highland wear.

[Touchstone]

For people who scan the article and don't read every word, the photos promote the Kilt Hire look.

Since that is diametrically opposed to their normal ethos (if doing a video about tuxedos they wouldn't only show photos of modern cheap Tux Shop attire) I can only assume that they really don't know much about Highland wear.

All of this is true.

[Panache]

From Gentleman's Gazette, a great resource for higher end menswear. Can be a little "idiosyncratic" as the video you cite demonstrates.

Tons of articles and videos including one on highland wear which appears to be mostly accurate.

(Yes, that's a picture of Panache towards the bottom.)

I'm flattered, I like the GG videos

Cheers

Jamie

[Crazy Dave]

I like the Gentleman's Gazette and think there is some great advice there. I find it particularly useful for stuff I find in thrift and vintage shops. However, I take what they say as advice rather than law, and have no problem ignoring it when I chose. For example, they have a lot of prescriptions about what watch to wear with black tie. They say, that it's not supposed to have a day date complication, roman numerals or no numerals, must be black face. I find this a bit persnickety considering nobody is supposed to see your watch when you are wearing black tie.

[OC Richard]

they have a lot of prescriptions about what watch to wear with black tie. They say that it's not supposed to have a day date complication, roman numerals or no numerals, and must be black face.

Wow.

What did they do before wristwatches? Have a special pocket watch for black tie?

[Jock Scot]

Wow.

What did they do before wristwatches? Have a special pocket watch for black tie?

Well, yes they did, although probably more usual for white tie events. It was/is known as a fob watch which was often a tad smaller than an everyday pocket watch and was often rather ornate. It was carried in the waistcoat pocket and usually had a short and often fancy attachment(the fob) to the pocket watch that hangs over the lip of the pocket for an inch or three. Not as secure as perhaps a watch chain but effective nevertheless.