Brigadoon?

Team Scotland’s Commonwealth Games parade uniforms were unveiled the other day to a mixed reception.

Obviously no expense has been spared, as is usually the case when public money is involved, but there’s something wrong with these outfits. Is it the mustard socks? The lack of a belt or tie for the men?

The tartan is pleasant enough but it’s the blue that is wrong.  In the tartan the blue looks much more subdued instead of the chosen garish sky blue which obliterates the colours of the tartan.

The lassies’ frocks are a definite throw back to the 70s.  I remember wearing a similar wrap-round style then.

What was wrong with a well tailored modern shift dress in tartan for the women and a shirt matching the turquoise in the tartan for the men?

I’m presuming the bowler-hatted person in the photograph is the textile designer and artist Jill Blackwood who states the blue shirts and flowing wrap round dresses were inspired by the Saltire flag.

The athletes like their outfits of course - who would be crass enough to be negative about a freebie? 

To confuse you even further, there will be another tartan on display at the games. That’s the one created by school pupil Aamir Meymood (see below).  It will be used at ceremonies such as the presentation of medals.  I can only hope Ms Blackwood isn’t involved is designing the outfits using Aamir’s tartan.

It’s big and bold.  We’ll have to wait to see if it’s used in the traditional Highland dress manner or used casually like Team Scotland’s outfits.  I’ll be viewing from the comfort of my settee and the thought of battling through crowds has no appeal.

Tweet