Q. My wife and I have been invited to a
reeling party. 1 am of wholly English extraction but my wife is a Scot. Is it appropriate for me to wear a kilt of her tartan or would that be a fearful gaffe?
C.C., by email
A. There is no protocol laid down on this matter The unpompous, such as Roddy Martine, an authority on kilt-wearing, feel that the more kilts worn the better since 'it is good for Scotland'. He even welcomes the likes of Madonna and Robbie Williams beating a path to the door of 21.st-Century Kilts and stocking up on leather and pinstriped kilts. Meanwhile Alastair Campbell, Unicorn Pursuivant of Arms at the Lyon Court, asserts that 'while women take their husbands' identity it is not usual for a husband to take a wife's identity — but no one would care two hoots' [were G. C. to wear a kilt at the reeling party/. Both men agree, however, that the kilt must be worn with respect and not confused with fancy dress. Since I suspect there is the spectre of fancy dress hovering over your own query, I advise you simply to wear a cummerbund in your wife's tartan to supplement your black or white tie at the party in question.
Previous page
