the Last Coup in Men's Fashion

[robthehiker]

In today's Globe and Mail. It speaks to other bifurcated garments too so don't read it if that upsets you.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/...+Article+Links

[cessna152towser]

So next week, if you see a man in a kilt during a Robbie Burns Night celebration, compliment him. He is wearing it partly out of pride, no doubt, as the kilt remains a defiant emblem of romanticized Scottish culture. (All items of Highland dress were banned by British Parliament from 1746 to 1782 in reaction to the Jacobite Uprising of 1745 – the idea being that if you ban the costume, you suppress the culture.)
But he also might be wearing it to have a little bit of acceptable fashion fun.

I rather like that last paragraph.

[robthehiker]

I rather like that last paragraph.

It's not much of article without it!

[Chas]

I figure it’s Beau Brummell’s fault. Still.
He was an iconic gentleman in Regency England in the 1770s who is widely credited with introducing the modern man’s suit-and-tie.

Unfortunately the Regency was from 1811 till 1820. Doesn't say much for the standard of reporting.

Regards

Chas

[Cygnus]

It's interesting that the author said the kilt was an "emblem of romanticized Scottish culture" (emphasis mine) rather than simply saying an emblem of Scottish culture. Has it really become so detached from its origins to no longer be considered a symbol of Scotland's culture and heritage? I'm sure many would agree with the article's author, though I also think a number of Scots that post here are doing all they can to keep this from being the case.

[TheOfficialBren]

I thought that it was a generalised, vague, and provocative article.

To most of us, I believe, kilt is NOT the same as a "skirt" nor it is an attempt at "gender-bending" or any other rediculous, pseudo-intellectual, psycho-babbling, attention-seeking, fickle-fashion, trend-grabbing, anti-masculine hogwash.

The author should have had their work researched and reviewed their work (as any responsible journalist would do) before classifying all unbifurcated garments and the men who wear them in the same category. The article was, in my opinion, shallow and insulting to the reader's intelligence.

BTW, Kanye wore a "kilt." The bane of utility-type kilts is that most people see them as skirts...not kilts. I will stick with tartan and maybe tweed later, but certainly traditional kilts partly for this very reason. It is a symbol of a culture...not a "fashion statement."

I wear the kilt with respect and dignity.

Moderators, that is the extent to which I will delve into the issue to avoid breaking any forum rules. Please contact me privately to edit my post if you feel that I have erred. No disrespect or violations were intended by my post...just honest opinion and respect for Scottish culture.

(stepping off of my soapbox now)

[Mike in Dayton]

Society has demanded that men follow a certain template when it comes to dress and appearance. I don’t know if this is from a weak male ego or a weak female ego. Regardless, it will be a long time before this attitude changes. You can see examples of this in the links to other articles on that site. For example one was titled “What’s up with those men’s boots with the strap over the top”. Another read “Aren’t guys who wear deep-V tees annoying”. Only one article on the page actually supported something different: “What’s up with the colour craze in men’s wear this fall?”.

I attended a performance last night of the Dayton Philharmonic playing music of rock band The Doors. They were playing with the band Windborne that does the Doors music. I go to all the DPO “pop” performances in a kilt (wool kilt from USAKilts). I get a complement or two every time. Occasionally I go to one in the “Rock” series. The first “rock” series I attended I overheard a one particular negative comment to my kilt. A young guy that was apparently threatened my “skirt”. Felt sorry for his girlfriend having to put up with this rant. So this being one of the “rock” performances I was wondering if I would overhear any negative comments. No. I actually got more compliments then at any of the “pop” performances. One lady walked up to me and said “it is nice to see kilts at something other than the Celtic Festival”. Many asked “what clan?”. They were surprised when I told them it was the State of Pennsylvania tartan.

We have a chance to shape some people’s opinion in a positive way by wearing the kilt properly and acting accordingly.

Mike

[Geoff Withnell]

We have a chance to shape some people’s opinion in a positive way by wearing the kilt properly and acting accordingly.

Mike

***

[mookien]

Well, at least we now know why the Highlanders originally adopted the kilt as their "go to" garment in the 16th century:

They longed for something "like women’s cleavage-baring fashion, a garment that hints at sex, signifying the desire to flash one’s naughty bits. It transmits a vibe of sexual readiness"

No wonder the Highlanders were such feared warriors.

[llyd]

I have trouble accepting the validity of pretty much anything written (for lack of a better term) about sartorial sense, or i.deed any sense at all, when Kanye West is it's focus. I also would question the mashing of Mr Beckham...one might get bent. Lol. I wonder what the writer's take on Mr Connery's wearing of the kilt is? Romanticized, indeed.