The ideal time for the black argyll

[Nathan]

Thanks very much for the reply, Jock. It was succinct, comprehensive and much appreciated.

This pretty much corresponds to how I perceive the levels of dress. Since I live in Canada, I take the artistic license to adapt things a little to my audience. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable being married in tweed over here nor would I feel comfortable attending a funeral in lovat green or a bold check argyll. I'd want to go a little more subdued. Please understand that I'm not challenging your conclusions on the matter. I'm just accounting for how it will be perceived since most of the Torontonians looking at me will not experts in Highland attire. For this reason, it's good that I have options like the BBSBA and my charcoal worsted Argyll with leather buttons for those occasions when tweed might be perceived locally as a bit too unrefined for the occasion.

So for me, I'd probably wear this or my BBSBA to a wedding or a funeral:





I wouldn't require the saxon attired folks to be in morning coats to feel this was the right call, but rather, just dark suits. If I lived in Fort William, I'd probably be more comfortable in tweed for such occasions.

I wore this to a political convention where everyone was in suits:



For family visits and dinners this xmas season, nobody was in a sports jacket, because everyone was kilted, but we felt pullovers were appropriate for the occasion. At one brother's place, it was ties at the other's open collars.







Once again, Jock, it's great to have the perspective of a local Highlander to guide us along. Happy Holidays to you and Mrs. Jock Scot.

[Father Bill]

Nathan has hit on something that's very important: it's necessary to not only be correct, but to be seen to be correct through the eyes and customs about us less we give a less than stellar impression of kiltwearing. Sometimes that means conforming to the norms about us, much as in Scotland one must conform to the norms about.

[Jock Scot]

Nathan has hit on something that's very important: it's necessary to not only be correct, but to be seen to be correct through the eyes and customs about us less we give a less than stellar impression of kiltwearing. Sometimes that means conforming to the norms about us, much as in Scotland one must conform to the norms about.

Actually Bill I do have problems about making concessions with traditional kilt attire to please those that are ignorant about kilt attire. Do others with attachments to other ethnic groups make such arrangements? I certainly know of some that make no concessions for anyone. I have no wish to start a war here, but the way for people who know nothing about an ethenic group and their attire is to do it properly so that those who are ignorant of such things are wiser at the end of the event than when they started. To fail to do so just raises the inevitable thoughts that some Scots already have and those thoughts, as we know, irritate some non Scots more than somewhat. Just saying.

[Father Bill]

Jock, I never worry about what people say to me - I can explain it to them and teach them. It's when they go home with their snoots out of joint without saying a word and think that we're boorish... then we've lost a point and with it, an opportunity.

[Jock Scot]

Personally Bill I would much prefer people to go home with the true facts and impressions, even if they end up not liking it. To do otherwise is dishonest and makes a mockery of some one's national attire and it matters not which nation's attire we are talking about.

Sorry Bill, I have no wish to labour the point ,so perhaps its best for us to agree to disagree?

[Father Bill]

I think perhaps so. I'd rather be able to go about without offending those I am with than to please an online friend or two I've never met, so I adjust somewhere between.

I knew you wouldn't let my reply go by without a last word.

[Grizzly]

Nathan has hit on something that's very important: it's necessary to not only be correct, but to be seen to be correct through the eyes and customs about us less we give a less than stellar impression of kiltwearing. Sometimes that means conforming to the norms about us, much as in Scotland one must conform to the norms about.

Father, whilst I appreciate your sentiment, I have noticed that there is clear disparity between what is worn in Scotland and what others think that is worn or should be worn in Scotland. Whilst I have seen many examples of folk wearing THCD I have also seen many others wearing attire that would not even pass customs checkpoint. I say each to their own and the world is a greater place for it, but let us not forget that it is the likes of Jock, Phil, Neloon and kiltfitz plus other Scots who set the bar if this is what we aspire too, otherwise what we seek is a parody of what we think highland wear should be.

[Father Bill]

Aye indeed. The shades of difference must be slight at most, but some slight adjustment is not, in my mind, necessarily egregious.

[Grizzly]

Aye father it is fine line between costumery and THCD, whilst there are some who pass muster admirably, there are others that, shall we say have their own interpretation and it makes the world a more colourful place for it. Let's just not say that it is THCD, each to their own and each has its own place. That alone will ensure that the kilt will endure.

[Father Bill]

Aye, Grizz, and that's a line that must not be crossed!