traditional and modern conflicts

[Galician]

I agree with that completely Todd. To me, those who feel one must wear the kilt all the time to be a "real" kilt wearer are just as bad as those who say you should only wear the kilt for special occasions. People should feel free to wear the kilt as often or as little as they want.

On the other hand, a man who wears a kilt daily will have a lot more of the practical experience of how it works than a guy who does not!

[macwilkin]

On the other hand, a man who wears a kilt daily will have a lot more of the practical experience of how it works than a guy who does not!

I'm sorry, but I disagree. Someone's knowledge of the kilt should be instantly discounted because he doesn't wear it everyday?

Regards,

Todd

[Galician]

I'm sorry, but I disagree. Someone's knowledge of the kilt should be instantly discounted because he doesn't wear it everyday? Regards, Todd

That is an overreaction. As with other areas of expertise, don't people normally rate the advice on the experience of the one giving it?

[James MacMillan]

Hey I don't think I said that! I'm not cutting down anyone who only wears a kilt every once in a while. That's the way I used to be! Thankfully, I am now in a position to be able to wear the kilt everyday.

I do think that experience is a great teacher. I also think that I have had some little more experience, by wearing the kilt daily, than do some others.

If you will look at the closets of two of our most respected members, mainly Ron and Hamish, you will find several non-traditional kilts. In Ron’s case he has been very vocal in his appreciation of the USA products. Hamish has gone so far as to make a video for another product. These men own way more kilts than I do, and they have been wearing the kilt longer.

I guess my resentment is still smoldering from hoping to work with a local kilt maker (female) who had never worn a kilt on a daily basis, but just knew that her opinions were better than mine.

If I seemed to be degrading those who only wear the kilt once or twice, please forgive me.

What I was trying to say is that when you wear the kilt everyday, your very wear will form opinions.

Let’s go back to that old pair of jeans. Is every pair of jeans made the same way? Does every pair of jeans still look like the first pair that were worn by coal miners? No! You can go into a store and find jeans of many cuts, fabrics, and styles. You pick the pair that fits your needs. Sometimes some of the highhanded kiltmakers – who themselves don’t wear the kilt – seem to think that they know best.

[macwilkin]

That is an overreaction. As with other areas of expertise, don't people normally rate the advice on the experience of the one giving it?

Of course -- but normally not on just one facet of someone's life, especially what garments they choose to wear on a daily basis. That's a bit like saying I'm an expert on fishing in Greece because I wear a Greek fisherman's hat everyday.

If I may, I'll use Matt as an example -- Matt wears a kilt everyday for work. BUT, he is also a member of the Scottish Tartans Authority, the Guild of Tartan Scholars, a published author of numerous articles on tartans, Curator of the Scottish Tartans Museum, an accomplished kiltmaker -- see my point? Even if Matt didn't wear the kilt everyday he would rate pretty high in terms of knowledge of kilts & tartans.

Regards,

Todd

[James MacMillan]

Of course -- but normally not on just one facet of someone's life, especially what garments they choose to wear on a daily basis. That's a bit like saying I'm an expert on fishing in Greece because I wear a Greek fisherman's hat everyday.

If I may, I'll use Matt as an example -- Matt wears a kilt everyday for work. BUT, he is also a member of the Scottish Tartans Authority, the Guild of Tartan Scholars, a published author of numerous articles on tartans, Curator of the Scottish Tartans Museum, an accomplished kiltmaker -- see my point? Even if Matt didn't wear the kilt everyday he would rate pretty high in terms of knowledge of kilts & tartans.

Regards,

Todd

Extremely good point! Matt now puts a buckle on the inside of some of his kilts! Is this the "Traditional" way? Nope! How did he figure out that it would be better that way? By wearing the kilt!

Reading, studying and or writing all the books in the world, would not have given him the experience to attempt this modification to the traditional style!

I am not an expert on the kilt! I am an expert on what works for me. I am the best expert! - for what works for me!

[macwilkin]

Extremely good point! Matt now puts a buckle on the inside of some of his kilts! Is this the "Traditional" way? Nope! How did he figure out that it would be better that way? By wearing the kilt!

Reading, studying and or writing all the books in the world, would not have given him the experience to attempt this modification to the traditional style!

I am not an expert on the kilt! I am an expert on what works for me. I am the best expert! - for what works for me!

No, he actually discovered that particular style on a kilt from the 79th New York Highlanders, a Civil War unit that briefly wore the kilt. It wasn't just something he came up with. He's written several blog posts about "alternative fastening styles" in older kilts:

http://kilts.albanach.org/details.html

Regards,

Todd

[James MacMillan]

No, he actually discovered that particular style on a kilt from the 79th New York Highlanders, a Civil War unit that briefly wore the kilt. It wasn't just something he came up with. He's written several blog posts about "alternative fastening styles" in older kilts.

Regards,

Todd

OK - I guess I'm wrong. I'll just go pout in the corner…

I guess there's just nothing new in the world, except maybe Velcro, Teflon, nylon, acrylic, rayon, polyester, polyurethane, plexiglass, phenolic plastic, etc etc etc etc

I will stll hold to my belief that I know what works best for me!

[Galician]

Of course -- but normally not on just one facet of someone's life, especially what garments they choose to wear on a daily basis. That's a bit like saying I'm an expert on fishing in Greece because I wear a Greek fisherman's hat everyday.

Huh??!! I disagree completely, and feel that your analogy is a distortion of my point. If I were going fishing in Greece, I'd cerainly listen to the advice of a Scottish fisherman before I would to that of a Greek fashion editor.

If I may, I'll use Matt as an example -- Matt wears a kilt everyday for work. BUT, he is also a member of the Scottish Tartans Authority, the Guild of Tartan Scholars, a published author of numerous articles on tartans, Curator of the Scottish Tartans Museum, an accomplished kiltmaker -- see my point? Even if Matt didn't wear the kilt everyday he would rate pretty high in terms of knowledge of kilts & tartans. Regards, Todd

I would take him as a wonderful example of both PRACTICAL and "ACADEMIC" knowledge. Either is fine, within its own limitations.

[macwilkin]

Huh??!! I disagree completely, and feel that your analogy is a distortion of my point. If I were going fishing in Greece, I'd cerainly listen to the advice of a Scottish fisherman before I would to that of a Greek fashion editor. I would take him as a wonderful example of both PRACTICAL and "ACADEMIC" knowledge. Either is fine, within its own limitations.

I'm sorry if I distorted your point, but I simply do not feel that wearing the kilt on a full-time basis alone makes you an expert on how to wear the kilt or its history & traditions.

I've worn a kilt since I was 18 years old, yet not on a daily basis. I've worn it for reenactments, for educational programs to schools, civic organizations & groups, etc. I make no claim on being an expert, but why should my experiences be any less than someone who wears a kilt full-time?

Todd