Too Traditional?

[creagdhubh]

Colin,

Thank you for continuing the initial discussion of "Too Traditional?" I appreciate your comments and understand your point of view. I would like to say at the outset that I have been attending the Missouri Tartan Day Festivities in Saint Charles, Missouri for many years now. When observing how other men dress whilst wearing the kilt, it is fairly evident that there are many different styles and approaches with the weather being a critical and almost determining factor. I should preface by saying that the Missouri Tartan Day Festival is basically formatted in the style of a Highland games except for the fact that the athletic events and piping are not as pronounced as they are at the more traditionally formatted Highland games - especially those that take place in the Scottish Highlands. Since I typically wear this particular style of Highland day attire to Highland games and/or related events both in the US and in Scotland, then this is what I naturally chose to wear for this occassion.


In regards to my Highland day attire and how I choose to wear it, I have always maintained a certain level of 'smartness,' mainly because it is what I feel most comfortable in. Granted, if the weather is a balmy 90+ degrees Fahrenheit, then yes, common sense tells me to perhaps wear only a collared shirt with no tie and the sleeves rolled up a couple of times. However, I have always been rather fond of tweed/hill-check jackets with Highland attire; a tattersall or country check shirt, and a smart neck tie that somewhat coordinates, yet doesn't necessarily have to. I think this is a fantastic look with the kilt and is something that I have seen often at various gatherings and games throughout Scotland - especially at my own clan's gathering in Inverness-shire.

I haven't always worn a neck tie, waistcoat, tweed jacket, or what have you, with the kilt to Missouri Tartan Day and to any other Scottish related festival, ceilidh, games, etc, for that matter, and I certainly do not always have my cromach at hand either (only outdoor events). I usually make these choices 'day of' and decide to go with whatever strikes my fancy whilst looking through my closet. As you can see from the photos I have posted previously on the forum (thank you for re-posting those by the way!), there are certainly occassions when just a collared shirt or a wool jumper are ideal with the kilt. I have worn such items to Missouri Tartan Day, however, most of the time I am wearing a neck tie and jacket simply because that is what I prefer to wear. I have seen several other chaps wearing similar attire and the pipe bands are always well turned out since they are in uniform and must adhere to certain standards and rules, but I will admit, the more traditional style of my Highland day attire is definitely in the minority.

My father (and most of my immediate family) was present at the Missouri Tartan Day celebration and we had a rather lengthy discussion about all of the different styles of Highland dress we could easily observe from our vantage point. This year I noticed a huge influx of men wearing solid black kilts with black hose, black combat boots and all sorts of silver, studded accroutements - my father referred to them as 'kilted Goths,' which may be somewhat accurate and I should also state that in no way was my father attempting to be disrespectful, not in the least, it was simply an observation and honest criticism. There is nothing entirely 'wrong' with this sort of approach, "to each is own" I would agree, but it was rather interesting seeing the vast amount of teenagers and young men were wearing the kilt is this style.

I do not think my attire was too traditional, or that I was overdressed in regards to the context of the event and the temperature outside - absolutely not. I did become a wee bit warm later in the afternoon and that is why I had removed my jacket. That evening, I removed my bonnet, tie and waistcoat whilst dancing. As to the condition of my Highland dress, well...yes, I certainly agree with you that much of my attire looks new, despite the fact that most of it isn't! The Kate Macpherson Pine marten sporran is relatively new, as well as the brown, McRostie sporran strap. The Robert Mackie Balmoral pictured is brand new, as I had just received it not too long ago from Chris at Dunadd Trading Company. More than likely I will not be "Jocking" the bonnet, as I have not attempted to do so with all of my other Mackie Balmorals - I simply cannot bring myself to do it. I prefer to allow the 'passage of time' and consistent use to adequately break-in my bonnets.

I am a 'stickler' for taking good care of my things, especially my Highland wardrobe which contains many rather expensive, bespoke items. This is something the Marines did not have to teach me. I exhibited these 'neat freak,' borderline OCD qualities of various things (to include clothing) to be clean and well turned out almost all the time at a very young age. I insisted on wearing neck ties almost everyday when I was in elementary school, even though there was no formal dress code and most kids were wearing t-shirts (I reserved my t-shirts for street hockey and backyard baseball at home). For those Family Ties fans out there, my parents called me, "A little Alex P. Keaton!" Hahaha!

Me, circa 1987. Yes, the neck tie is in fact a clip-on, but still a tie worn by a first-grader's own accord!


Cheers,