Culture clash as American school bans kilt

scotsman.com ^ | 12/06/05 | WILL SPRINGER

[Tax-chick]

I think it's the on-the-toes pose that looks so dainty.

[LexBaird]

Mostly due to the 40 degree slope of the hill I was on. But, thanks; I don't think I've ever been called dainty before. Guess I can forget the diet!

[Tax-chick]

That explains it - I retract the description.

[tet68]

there isn't the little furry thing in the middle (go ahead, pick up on that one!)

It's there, under the kilt.

[taxcontrol]

But you are not talking about the kilt... rather you are talking about accessories and assigning them to the kilt. I could likewise assert that anyone who did not wear the balmoral bonnet with a kilt was not formal.

[shezza]

Re: name changing

I knew a chap in college whose name was Maharg. Seems a lad a few ancestors back fled to America and changed his name...from Graham. It happens, it's legit in the case I mention, and it could very well be the case in this boy's history. We ought not be so quick to paint such tales as "simply not believable," "silly," "implausable" and "pure mythology."

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Yep. Proms they may look nice, weddings usually...but I can't get my son to wear pants that aren't two sizes to big...But his brother did rent a tux for his school prom. This one, if I could get him into slacks and a tucked in shirt, I would be amazed.

[Churchillspirit]

You would not wear a balmoral (bonnet is superfluous) with a formal highland wear outfit.

Where do you get your info?

[Churchillspirit]

I wonder if the next generation will rebel against the casual look of today and revert to the old suit, collar and tie look?

[Knitting A Conundrum]

I wouldn't be surprised if they did!

[taxcontrol]

Wow, you have totally managed to miss my point. But to address your specific question.

Balmoral describes a type of bonnet. The term balmoral can also be used to describe "a heavy, laced walking shoe". It can also be used to describe a jacket usually worn with a kilt. Since there are other things other than a bonnet, by adding the term bonnet, it is a clarification. Further, there are other types of bonnets worn with the kilt namely the Glengarry bonnet, again a clarification. It is not superfluous, it's called English.

While I was using the Balmoral bonnet as one example, I could have easily said that "formal ware" requires a fox tail sporran with Glengarry bonnet and a Prince Charles Jacket or any number of accessories. While such additions
do enhance the appearance of the wearer, there are so many variations that to define one specific type of dress as being the only accepted Scottish formal ware is a vary narrow view of Scottish fashion.

My POINT was that a kilt is a specific article of dress. It does NOT encompass jackets, pins, bonnets, sporrans or other ACCESSORIES. Further, it is also quite possible that the young man was over dressed for the occasion. The absence of a jacket and short sleeves could also support the concept that the dance was not as formal of an affair as you assume.

[Churchillspirit]

Again I ask - where on earth do you acquire your information?

I have been in the Highland Wear business for more than twenty years and nothing you say has any relevance to accepted attire.