The Style Guy: sartorial suggestions for your situation

Dear Style Guy,

I read a while ago some old guy criticizing some younger piper for wearing trews and more creative attire. Assuming you know what I’m speaking about, what’s your opinion?

Glenn Closed

Thanks for the letter, GC.

Not really following you on this one. You mean some newsletter or other was bashing a piper for wearing trews? Provided they were tasteful and well-tailored, what’s not to like? Tartan trews are every bit as “Highland” dress as the current quasi-military get-up, which is about as “Highland” as Edinburgh Rock. It’s all Victorian pastiche, so give it a rest.

My guess is the critical old dude is just angry because things have passed him by. We all know that, with rare exceptions, as we age we become less tolerant of change, even if a “change” like trews instead of a kilt is going back to a different era. And my guess is that whatever publication the old bunt writes for is just as unchanging and unoriginal as he is.