Style, Fashion Rules, traditions, Flat caps, and the missing element...

[Panache]

There have been some lively discussions her over the last few days concerning traditional highland attire and the rules of fashion (not to mention flat caps! ).

But Ladies and Gentlemen of X Marks the Scot.com we have not discussed the missing element of Style...

Our own flair and individuality.

I remember seeing a gentleman at a Highland game a couple of years back wearing a black and red Hawaiian shirt and panama hat with his kilt. He was lounging in a chair smoking a cigar and completely content. By all rights he should have looked ridiculous.

But there, in person?

He looked cool

My friend Gryphonaire has been known to wear ghillie shirts and Utilikilts.

Now a lot of you just cringed when you read the sentence above.

But on him, in person, it works.

It has to do with who he is and the energy he brings with him into a situation. This wouldn't work for me, but he makes it work.

Now how about Kilts and baseball caps?

Like McMurdo they are not my favorite look and I think I would look absolutely stupid wearing one with a kilt. However TimC. , kiltimabar, and AndrewLenzJr all look good when they sport one.

It is some sort of individual quality they bring into the equation that makes it work. It is who they are.

Hate white hose? What about when Hamish wears them with his Montrose doublet? Absolutely elegant in my opinion. It might not work for others but he makes it work.

Style is a wonderful mixture of tradition, color sense, fashion rules (including knowing where to bend or even break them), practicality, and that all important factor...

...our own unique selves.

Here on XMTS I think we do a grand job of mixing the traditional with the contemporary and keeping kilts a living breathing fashion.



Cheers

Jamie

[walkerk]

He was eminently happy!

[McMurdo]

Well said Jamie, I for one would never wear the tweed hat that works so well on you, I prefer no headgear unless absolutely necessary. I know I've worn things in the past that others would just cringe at like the pairing of a denim jacket and a kilt, traditional, no but cool, I'd say so. We do bring ourselves to kilting, we can't help it.

[Kerr the Walker]

I remember seeing a gentleman at a Highland game a couple of years back wearing a black and red Hawaiian shirt and panama hat with his kilt. He lounging in a chair smoking a cigar and completely content. By all rights he should have looked ridiculous.

But there, in person?

He looked cool

Saw a guy at a Highland games over the summer. He had on a top-hat, full coat tails and his kilt was way too low. But the guy was having a blast. And you couldn't help but be in a good mood to see it.

Traditional? No. Ridiculous? Yes. But hey....if you're having a good time.....

I agree 100% that attitude makes or breaks it. If that guy was in a different setting, trying to be serious and proper in that outfit, I would have cringed. But seeing him laughing and having a great time with everyone around him made me smile instead.

[Colin]

Well said Jamie.

I can't believe how worked up people get over a piece of clothing. Yes, it's got a history and guidelines and I am thankful that people like Todd, Jock, Matt, etc are able to educate me on those guidelines. However, like all clothing, I will wear it as a prefer.

I do think the "kilt police" name calling needs to end. If someone is trying politely to educate the board, and they aren't trying to cram it down people's throats, than others should be a tad more respectful of that lesson and shared knowledge without name calling. By all means bear the advise in mind when picking out their personal choice of wardrobe even if you don't let it dictate how you like to dress. No one is saying this is how you have to dress they are just saying that traditionally this is how it is done.

Now, maybe this group of men in skirts can stop getting their feeling hurt and arguing like a bunch of teenager girls.

[shawhighlander]

Here on XMTS I think we do a grand job of mixing the traditional with the contemporary and keeping kilts a living breathing fashion.

I tend to have more fun with the fashion, when designing an outfit for the night. Being a musician, I tend to break some of the rules, so to speak. I have been a stylist for musicians in the past and have been in the clothing industry for almost 15 years. Most of my outfits are custom creations, that I have modified or hand-made. The cheapest way to own more kilt jackets is to alter a thrift store find.

Here is a selection of my latest outfits that you may have missed!

[Nick the DSM]

Does Grant's rubber chicken sporran count?

[Panache]

Does Grant's rubber chicken sporran count?

no







Cheers

Jamie

[McMurdo]

You mean this rubber chicken? Also notice the paring of a Jacobite Shirt and R-Kilt

[Colin]

.....but look at those flowing locks of golden hair and taut buttocks!!! Anyone that pretty can surely get away with anything...