Too Traditional?

[davidlpope]

I guess there might be a certain disconnect (interpreted as an affectation) if one usually dresses very informally (jeans, undershirts worn as outer clothing, short pants when not exercising, etc.) on a daily basis but wears a jacket, waistcoat, and necktie with one's kilt.

On the other hand, if one wears a suit and tie every day to work, to worship on Sundays, and a tie, slacks, and blazer when taking the bride out for a nice dinner on Saturday night, it doesn't seem out of place to wear a tie and tweed jacket when kilted (when the weather is appropriate).

For those of us who didn't grow up wearing the kilt, perhaps it comes down to a question of who you want to emulate: the middle-aged American in the puffy pirate shirt with the big sword and blue facepaint or those Highlanders who have worn the kilt from birth in the manner of their ancestors...

[SlackerDrummer]

I guess there might be a certain disconnect (interpreted as an affectation) if one usually dresses very informally (jeans, undershirts worn as outer clothing, short pants when not exercising, etc.) on a daily basis but wears a jacket, waistcoat, and necktie with one's kilt.

Indeed.

On the other hand, if one wears a suit and tie every day to work, to worship on Sundays, and a tie, slacks, and blazer when taking the bride out for a nice dinner on Saturday night, it doesn't seem out of place to wear a tie and tweed jacket when kilted (when the weather is appropriate).

Here is where you lose me. Even the fellow who wears a suit and tie to work and worship, and a tie, slacks and blazer out to dinner is not likely to wear a suit and tie to the county fair on Saturday. They probably would have 100 years ago, but it is very doubtful today. In that regard, much of THCD is an affectation (I certainly don't mean that in a derogatory way). It doesn't matter what you wear in other circumstances (e.g. work, worship); what is relevant is how you would dress as an analog to when you are kilted.

For those of us who didn't grow up wearing the kilt, perhaps it comes down to a question of who you want to emulate: the middle-aged American in the puffy pirate shirt with the big sword and blue facepaint or those Highlanders who have worn the kilt from birth in the manner of their ancestors...

There is quite a continuum between the puffy shirt and current THCD. Suggesting that those are the only two alternatives seems a little disingenuous to me.

EDIT: Apologies, Colin. Jock snuck in a post while I was writing. I thought I was 399!

[CMcG]

Nearly there!Come on CMcG you post No. 400!
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EDIT: Apologies, Colin. Jock snuck in a post while I was writing. I thought I was 399!

Ah well, I missed it! Regardless, I'm very happy to see people continuing to make such thoughtful contributions to this very fine discussion

[creagdhubh]

I guess there might be a certain disconnect (interpreted as an affectation) if one usually dresses very informally (jeans, undershirts worn as outer clothing, short pants when not exercising, etc.) on a daily basis but wears a jacket, waistcoat, and necktie with one's kilt.

On the other hand, if one wears a suit and tie every day to work, to worship on Sundays, and a tie, slacks, and blazer when taking the bride out for a nice dinner on Saturday night, it doesn't seem out of place to wear a tie and tweed jacket when kilted (when the weather is appropriate).

For those of us who didn't grow up wearing the kilt, perhaps it comes down to a question of who you want to emulate: the middle-aged American in the puffy pirate shirt with the big sword and blue facepaint or those Highlanders who have worn the kilt from birth in the manner of their ancestors...

***...and in reference to your concluding paragraph David, I prefer the latter, as I know you do as well.

Best wishes,