Kilt, Skirt, MUG, etc.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 22nd September 05, 02:44 PM

OK, in a series of postings with KiltedPride, he advanced the idea that UK, FK, USAK, etc. were not real kilts and should be referred to in some other way. While I do not want to debate what is or is not a "real" kilt here (pile on under the Kilts, the wise financial choice post). That exchange, and after reading an essay on the Bravehearts site by Dan Richardson, the owner of CitySkirts, I am wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the subject of the naming of this wonderful legless garment that we have all adopted. Having made the decision to wear a kilt, and having done so in public, I find that I am not much concerned if it is called a kilt, skirt, MUG, loin cloth, or any of a dozen other terms. However, I have seen on postings here that some do not care for the term MUG, and I am wondering if there are other terms that people find offensive to use in referring to a kilt, and why.

In replying, please try to keep posts up to the level of sophistication and courteous-ness (is that a word?) that is being shown on a number of other threads that deal with issues that we might have strong, and differing, opinions about.

RJI

**Southern Breeze** · 22nd September 05, 02:57 PM

I'm only concerned when it's mistakenly called a skirt.(theres a BIG difference). If you don't already know,kilt is what you get when you call it a skirt!Brace yourself, this may be a looong thread!

**bubba** · 22nd September 05, 02:59 PM

If it's made like a kilt it's a kilt, period. Sorry, but I'm not about to buy into anyones' agenda. Kilts are kilts no matter what material they're made from. If it wraps left over right and has pleats across the back it's a mans kilt no matter how the fashion freedom advocates try to finagle the definition.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 22nd September 05, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Southern Breeze

I'm only concerned when it's mistakenly called a skirt.(theres a BIG difference). If you don't already know,kilt is what you get when you call it a skirt!Brace yourself, this may be a looong thread!

Yay, I'm afraid of that, but I also enjoy good conversations and social interaction!

RJI

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 22nd September 05, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by bubba

If it's made like a kilt it's a kilt, period. Sorry, but I'm not about to buy into anyones' agenda. Kilts are kilts no matter what material they're made from. If it wraps left over right and has pleats across the back it's a mans kilt no matter how the fashion freedom advocates try to finagle the definition.

Bubba, I have NO agenda, open, hidden, or kilted!

I am curious about people's views, and in generating some good conversations as are going on in other threads.( Plus, I wanted to see if we could generate more posts using topics other than the 3 Jimmy proposed in the Chatty Group thread!)

**yoippari** · 22nd September 05, 04:40 PM

I'm of the "If it is made to be a kilt then it is" camp. MUG might apply as a general category, kinda like pants can include jeans, capris, slacks, and many other variations. Of course so will the term skirt but the connotation of skirt is feminine.

I don't mind the term MUG as a term, but if it looks like a kilt, if it is made like a kilt, if it is supposed to be a kilt then it is a kilt.

My problem is not when someone calls it a skirt because they don't know any better, but when they call it a skirt but know it is a kilt. It took my dad a while to stop calling my stillwater a skirt and he still does sometimes. My mom calls it a skirt sometimes but she has just been silently supportive even though she doesn't like the thing. My grandpa, who I had talked to about this when I was talking to my grandma (he wife) about her possibly making a kilt, calls it a skirt is an almost mocking tone.

**motorman4life** · 22nd September 05, 06:15 PM

I have a few friends that call my kilts skirts in a mocking way... maybe trying to get a "rise" out of me. Like I've said here before, my usual response is "If it really turns you on, you can call it a skirt... otherwise, it's a kilt." That usually stops the comments, at least for that day. Some seem to expect that response and have stopped calling it a skirt or have stopped even acknowledging it, particularly if they feel they will get ribbed by others for my insinuating response.

I found it more difficult when I started wearing my kilt around my friends and long-term acquaintances than around total strangers. I guess strangers usually don't have a particular notion about you in their heads and the kilt is less likely to contradict their perception of you. I don't know for sure. It must be something along those lines though.

It is really gratifying when a total stranger says, "Nice kilt" or "Cool kilt" in passing. I'm not sure why some of my "friends" feel compelled to make snide "skirt" comments as little digs. I just give them my stock response and they are slowly coming around.

Back in July, I had a couple of bad reactions from some guys that I see once or twice a year at an International convention. I was shocked at their vocal disapproval and childish reactions to my kilt. Keep in mind, these are grown men in their mid-50's that I really respected (previously). Once I read somewhere that someone called their kilt an "******* detector." The unexpectedly rude comments made me think of that particular term at the time and I think it is true. Someone that saw their hysterics came over to see if I was upset by their comments and I said, "No, it's cool, I used to really respect those guys. Now, I see I was just giving them too much credit. It's always nice to know who the real assholes are." We just laughed. My comment got back to one of them and he came and apologized later.

If you walk into a room in a kilt, you generally own the room. If there is an ******* (or 2) in the room, it is likely to illicit a strong reaction. If anything, wearing a kilt over the past 5 months has allowed me to reevaluate who I spend my precious free time with.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 22nd September 05, 06:35 PM

[QUOTE=motorman4life... I'm not sure why some of my "friends" feel compelled to make snide "skirt" comments as little digs. I just give them my stock response and they are slowly coming around....[/QUOTE]

The most likely case is that they really admire that you have the balls to wear it and they are stuck wearing pants. People always ridicule that which they don't understand, and that which they wish they could do but are afraid to try.

RJI

**Mike n NC** · 22nd September 05, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by KiltedCodeWarrior

OK, in a series of postings with KiltedPride, he advanced the idea that UK, FK, USAK, etc. were not real kilts and should be referred to in some other way.
In replying, please try to keep posts up to the level of sophistication and courteous-ness (is that a word?) that is being shown on a number of other threads that deal with issues that we might have strong, and differing, opinions about.

RJI

Said as nicely as possible, perhaps then, these people should be referred to in some other way?

I tend toward bubba's line of thought...if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and sheds water like a duck then its a duck. Personally I don't care what you call a kilt but to call it something it isn't is only showing ignorance.

Mike

**The Wizard of BC** · 22nd September 05, 06:46 PM

MUG (Male Un-bifurcated Garment) is a term coined by the Utilikilts crowd.
The UK is not, and does not pretend to be related to the Celtic Kilt, Cilt.
Because the intent was to develop a totally new type of garment it was thought a new term should be invented also.

My choice for a term to describe the style of Kilt I manufacture is "Contemporary Kilt".

For high waisted, buckled, Tartan kilts I use the wording "Traditional", with a differentation between "Tank" for an 8yd. handsewn, and "Casual" for a less than 8yd and/or machine sewn.