Team Scotland Commonwealth uniform fashion disaster

Team Scotland has released images of the uniform to be worn by their athletes during the 2014 Games in Glasgow and the general consensus seems to be: “what were they thinking?”

Oh Scotland, land of my fathers, what is this?! #CommonwealthGames2014 http://t.co/racFn3qyk9 pic.twitter.com/DpfnakvwQQ

— Simon Crerar (@simoncrerar) July 8, 2014

The male athletes will don magenta, turquoise and caramel (yes, all together) plaid kilts, with blue patterned dress shirts. The female athletes will wear knee length wrap dresses, the same unfortunate plaid, but in a shawl version and leather saddle bags.

That’s a really vile Commonwealth Games Scotland uniform. I’d swear it was 1 April if there wasn’t a calendar on my (21st century) phone.

— Rami Okasha (@ramiokasha) July 6, 2014

Designer Jill Blackwood claims that her creations are meant to “inject a contemporary twist” to the team’s traditional incorporation of tartan. Her instructions from Team Scotland were to design “parade uniform that was high on impact and made a real statement.” While her success in invoking a contemporary twist is questionable, Blackwood’s outfits will undoubtedly meet their goal of making a statement.

Genuine question re Team Scotland’s Commonwealth Games parade uniform: why isn’t it the official #Glasgow2014 tartan? pic.twitter.com/X5vRs3zf6V

— David Meikle (@cllrdmeikle) July 6, 2014

No matter the country, team outfits for open ceremonies like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games always tend to draw mixed opinions. Scotland’s attempt to infuse cultural heritage into a contemporary outfit is an admirable goal. As twitter user Daivd Meikle pointed out though, if tradition was the desired message, why did Blackwood spurn the official Glasgow 2014 tartan?

The Scotland uniform for the opening ceremony looks like it should be on the wrapper of a macaroon bar

— Paul Dryburgh (@Paul_Dryburgh) July 6, 2014

The Commonwealth Games begin on July 23 and run for 11 days. The Opening Ceremony in Celtic Park is sure to be a memorable one, at least in terms of fashion.