Traditonal vs. Historical

[Sir Didymous]

Before this thread dies off, I'd like to add a comment as a new member here.

The main reason I joined was because I'd like to wear my kilt more often than just to the occasional formal event, the frequency of which seems to be getting less and less the older I get. I came here looking for inspiration and advice to help me to get a look that will be acceptable on the street in Scotland. TKSW describes this perfectly, MKAT or TKAG are close enough.

I was slightly surprised to find no specific sub-forum for this, which is fair enough I suppose, as it's supposed to be covered by the 'Traditionally made kilts...' forum as Steve says, but when I go there I see little content along the TKSW line. There seem to be some threads scattered about other parts of the forums, but now central point for that sort of discussion to crystallise.

At heart, I'm a traditionalist, and I would strive for the THCD look if it were not for my age. I feel that, at 45 years old, I fall between two stools. I could carry off the THCD look as a young man, and I'll be able to carry it off again when I'm older, but right now if I don my Lovat Argyll jacket I suddenly look 10 years older. If I go the full Tartan Army route I might look equally out of place, so I'm looking for a style that suits my age, hence the need for inspiration and advice.

I think the TKSW look is an important one because to my mind if kilt wearing is going to survive and expand (in Scotland at least), I feel this is the way it is likely to happen.

I run into a similar issue regarding age and style. I'm going to be 30 this December so dressing like a street teen is right out, but with a Jacket and tie I lose that younger look (Even more so now that I'm growing my beard). My Mrs. complains about the added years I get from certain clothing choices. She's five years younger and says she feels like she married her father. I've been working on that very problem. I have a few ideas but without the more specific location to talk about it, I just post it to the general kilt talk forum.

[adempsey10]

I run into a similar issue regarding age and style. I'm going to be 30 this December so dressing like a street teen is right out, but with a Jacket and tie I lose that younger look (Even more so now that I'm growing my beard). My Mrs. complains about the added years I get from certain clothing choices. She's five years younger and says she feels like she married her father. I've been working on that very problem. I have a few ideas but without the more specific location to talk about it, I just post it to the general kilt talk forum.

I also face a similar dilemma. At 27, I'm old enough to want to look well put together without looking much older than my age but I also still enjoy being young and on the forefront of certain trends that I enjoy. I find the kilt tends to add ten years to my appearance when I don my hose and leather shoes and tuck the shirt etc. But if I dress it down enough to not look that aged, I end up look like a rebellious teenager. A couple of buddies and I went out for a 'kilt' night a few months back. These guys pull off a hip young look without looking like teenagers. They are also 5-10 years older than I am, which is why I think they can pull it off..


I, on the other hand, on this same occasion, did not look so ruggedly chic.



It has been tough trying to find casual style that I really enjoy. Especially one that doesn't make me look like I'm just trying to rebel against the establishment.

[artificer]

I also face a similar dilemma. At 27, I'm old enough to want to look well put together without looking much older than my age but I also still enjoy being young and on the forefront of certain trends that I enjoy. I find the kilt tends to add ten years to my appearance when I don my hose and leather shoes and tuck the shirt etc. But if I dress it down enough to not look that aged, I end up look like a rebellious teenager. A couple of buddies and I went out for a 'kilt' night a few months back. These guys pull off a hip young look without looking like teenagers. They are also 5-10 years older than I am, which is why I think they can pull it off..


I, on the other hand, on this same occasion, did not look so ruggedly chic.



It has been tough trying to find casual style that I really enjoy. Especially one that doesn't make me look like I'm just trying to rebel against the establishment.

it might seem crazy, but I find that a heavier shoe (DM 6 eye) or a boot lends visual weight to the look and balances the kilt better, which helps avoid the 'tiny wee shoes' effect that can make you look more like a kid.
Also, a thicker pair of socks work better than white athletic socks. Just my opinion.

ith:

[adempsey10]

it might seem crazy, but I find that a heavier shoe (DM 6 eye) or a boot lends visual weight to the look and balances the kilt better, which helps avoid the 'tiny wee shoes' effect that can make you look more like a kid.
Also, a thicker pair of socks work better than white athletic socks. Just my opinion.

ith:

Agreed. Unfortunately, boots and thick socks dont make for the most comfort on hot summer days. I have a pair of black leather hiking boots that look sharp but they can be a bit clunky for everyday use. I also find that that sometimes big boots can make me look more like a punk ready to throw down. I should post some pictures of my 'winter' kilt boots. They are black combat boots that come up to just about to the top of my calf, a few inches below the knee. They really make me look like Im ready to stir up trouble but they keep my legs warm and dry when drudging through snow and cold in harsh Canadian winters.

[TheOfficialBren]

Ha! You guys don't know heat! Where I live it reaches 100*F on many summer days. Doc Martens get worn often on my feet...with hose (scrunched down in the heat).

I mix modern and traditional together in an age-appropriate manner (I'm 28) and occasion-appropriate manner. What works for a pub night won't work for a Burns Supper.

[adempsey10]

Ha! You guys don't know heat! Where I live it reaches 100*F on many summer days. Doc Martens get worn often on my feet...with hose (scrunched down in the heat).

I mix modern and traditional together in an age-appropriate manner (I'm 28) and occasion-appropriate manner. What works for a pub night won't work for a Burns Supper.

we get those kinds of temperatures in the summer. Last week it was 35 (95f) with a feels like of 44 (111f) all week. It's a misconception that Canada is cold. We do get incredibly cold weather in the winter but our summers can also be brutally hot. The humidity is atrocious. I found it more comfortable in Italy because the heat was dry. It's horrible when you come out of the shower and still feel like you're wet two hours later because of the humidity.

[TheOfficialBren]

we get those kinds of temperatures in the summer. Last week it was 35 (95f) with a feels like of 44 (111f) all week. It's a misconception that Canada is cold. We do get incredibly cold weather in the winter but our summers can also be brutally hot. The humidity is atrocious. I found it more comfortable in Italy because the heat was dry. It's horrible when you come out of the shower and still feel like you're wet two hours later because of the humidity.

Wow! I had no idea that it can get that warm in Canada. I hope to visit your beautiful country someday. Perhaps we can meet for a pint on the occasion, my friend.
Thanks for the heads-up about the weather up north.

[Carlo]

It has been tough trying to find casual style that I really enjoy. Especially one that doesn't make me look like I'm just trying to rebel against the establishment.

Maybe you need to work on the lights. You highlight your shoes and socks while your face is hidden in the shadow.
That definitely adds to the "rebel" style.

[Hopper250]

These are definiately the kind of pictures I was talking about. We need a thread or a forum for these specifically. I like the look.

[adempsey10]

Maybe you need to work on the lights. You highlight your shoes and socks while your face is hidden in the shadow.
That definitely adds to the "rebel" style.

yes, pub lighting is not the most ideal lighting, especially at that particular hole in the wall.