Kilt Pins

[Robbie]

Hi Blu -

First of all apologies to Mr Mungall for getting his name wrong! Having re-read his article, I realised that the reason I disagree with some(!) of his comments is that the article was written by an American for the American market, and it is well known that on a lot of matters there are differing views on what constitutes good taste/style/fashion, call it what you will, on our opposite sides of the Atlantic. Additionally, although his article was written in 1992 and updated in 2002, I would opine that his comments are more of a romantic reflection of highland wear as was once worn by the landed gentry or so-called "upper classes" some 50-60 years ago as opposed to what real people wear nowadays. However, he would probably be horrified by some of the ways I have worn kilts, ranging from only a kilt as the sole item of clothing all the way through most permutations to the full Prince Charlie!

As a small sample of where we on this side currently differ from Mr Mungall, white hose are a definite no-no except for children and pipe bands (sorry Al), I can't remember the last time I saw an animal head sporran, belts are not worn with the Prince Charlie outfit, usual to wear plaids with tweed jackets? I don't think so, never sandals with the kilt, matching tartan tie? Argh! non-matching tartan tie? Aaaaaargh!, female Highland dancers not allowed kilts? According to the rules of the SOHBD (the world regulatory body for Highland dancing) kilts are compulsory, I have only known one person with a box-pleated kilt, even the terminology is different - he refers to "wearing it regimental" whereas in Scotland this is known either as "wearing it in the traditional style" or "being a true Scotsman"...... I think that's enough to be getting on with without even getting into the topic of wearing kilts casually!

To revert back to the topic of kilt pins, perhaps we should all be clear as to where/what we're measuring to, as my view of 1.5ins up and in is measuring to the point of an upright sword-type pin. On a slightly differing but related matter, I do hope that Jimmy C is not wearing his kilt as long as his post suggests (kilt pin much more than 2ins up because he needs the weight around the bottom of his knee)!!

[Semiomniscient]

I think the reference to the Highland dancer thing was concerning Aboyne where females are (to my knowledge) still not allowed to compete in kilts. At least that is the tradition of where the "Aboyne Dress" came about.

I think he's all wet about wearing a tie of non-matching tartan too.