Matching everything?

**Jock Scot** · 1st November 20, 07:07 AM

As a showman Kenneth McKellar may have impressed the unknowing, however, the cringe factor that that chap's attire and show caused to those in Scotland, that know ------well, at least had some idea------ was huge!

**jviss** · 1st November 20, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

As a showman Kenneth McKellar may have impressed the unknowing, however, the cringe factor that that chap's attire and show caused to those in Scotland, that know ------well, at least had some idea------ was huge!

Jock, what are you trying to say? The Montrose dublet is always wrong, is an object of ridicule, or something along these lines Who are these "in the know" folks to which you refer? You seem to know all the secret fashion rules and all, I'd really like you to inform us all.

**Jock Scot** · 2nd November 20, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by jviss

Jock, what are you trying to say? The Montrose dublet is always wrong, is an object of ridicule, or something along these lines Who are these "in the know" folks to which you refer? You seem to know all the secret fashion rules and all, I'd really like you to inform us all.

The Montrose jacket is a fine choice in the correct circumstances. I have no secret fashion rules, what I do have though are many years of experience of kilt wearing based on even more experience of my ancestors.

Crikey! I think that some fourteen thousand posts on this website over many years has indeed been an effort to share and inform you all! Alright not all of my posts have contained useful information, but I would like to think that most of them have, in one way or another. What people do with that information and advice is entirely down to them.

**McMurdo** · 2nd November 20, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

The Montrose jacket is a fine choice in the correct circumstances. I have no secret fashion rules, what I do have though are many years of experience of kilt wearing based on even more experience of my ancestors.

I think this is the thing to remember. The correct circumstances. I did love wearing the Montrose Doublet when I did, I have since gone to a different doublet that I like even more, but it was wonderful to wear it in a veritable sea of Prince Charlies. Having said that I would not wear it to the pub.

**Jock Scot** · 3rd November 20, 02:45 AM

Thank you Glen. We all need to remember that the kilt and associated attire is not a costume. It is made so for the theatre, TV shows and films for, I suppose, artistic effect, but in the real world kilt attire, is when all said and done the National Attire of a Nation and it is generally worn, even these days, with a certain amount of care and respect by those of that Nation. Even most of the "Tartan Army" with their rather outlandish version of kilt attire, which is deliberately more costume than anything else are well aware of what they are doing, rather than relying on accepted traditional practice.

It must be difficult for those outwith Scotland, who rely on internet pictures, inaccurate advice from hire shops, romantic literature (including sales catalogs), tacky TV shows and films, to sort out the wheat from the chaff, particularly if a germ of a romantic and inaccurate interpretation of what is seen has taken root in the mind. This is why an international website such as this is so helpful. Even if it is sometimes hard going in persuading some minds that, sometimes, their preconcieved ideas are founded on a false premise.

**jviss** · 3rd November 20, 06:23 AM

Well, you know, Jock and others, fashion is not static. There is no single, correct etiquette for attire that remains the same over time. The modern kilt didn't even exist until about the end of the 18th century, and tartans associated with clans not until the mod to late 19th century. the Montrose doublet didn't exist until 1920 or so. It is a matter of fashion, which term connotes change. It's also a matter of perspective. Your view may seem entirely correct to you, but doesn't correspond to every Scotsman, every kilt wearer, who might see things as correct that you abhor. And, what's appropriate in one circumstance doesn't necessarily apply to all.

Because of the popularity of the rather unique Highland dress, it belongs to the world now. There are certainly more people outside of Scotland wearing highland dress than in Scotland at this point, I so speculate.

I have a book, Tartans and Highland Dress, by C.R. MacKinnon, ©1960, that's a pretty comprehensive and apparently authoritative guide to highland dress, what's appropriate for day, evening, and so forth; but it's sixty years old, and I'm sure certain aspects have changed. Is there a current, contemporary guide? I am interested to know.

I do value your advice, Jock, but I also enjoy a good discussion, even slightly adversarial, to reveal the underlying points.

**Jock Scot** · 3rd November 20, 06:51 AM

Indeed some things have changed in kilt attire there is no doubt about that,............but..............BUT, many things with traditional kilt attire, particularly day attire, have changed little since, well, umm, say about about 1918. Evening attire, these days, is generally rather less ostentatious than it used to be. Probably, I suspect, led by cost considerations.

Please dont take it for granted that every Scot is entirely happy that the kilt "belongs to the world now". Far from it.