Meeting a fellow Kiltie

[Jimmy]

Yesterday in central Glasgow I met a kilted gentleman, he was about 40 and looked friendly enough so obviously I could not resist saying hello to him.
He told me he came from Helensburgh, which is approx 25 miles from Glasgow and that he likes to wear the kilt as often as possible, thats why he was wearing it.
We had a fairly long discussion about kilts, tartans etc, and I told him about this forum which he was unaware of.

One thing he commented on was what most members of this forum comment on and that is that so many men own kilts and it seems that they are kept in their wardrobes and only brought out on a few occassions. Why is it that you see so few kilt wearers as an everyday occurence in Scotland?
At times in Scotland when their national football and rugby teams are playing at home, cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh are awash with kilties, literally thousands of them, the Cowal Games in Dunoon in August seems to be a place you don't go unless kilted.

IF you talk to a young man who wears the kilt for the first time at a wedding, he and his friends rave about it, how good it feels to wear, the tremendous and delightful difference between the kilt and trousers and the promises that they will be seen more often in a kilt, somehow in does'nt happen.

I really believe that if the young people of Scotland took to wearing their national dress more often then it would become second nature to them

[auld argonian]

Of course I am, as most of us here must be, of the opinion that kilts should be worn frequently....and it should be no big deal.

Actually looking forward to St. Patrick's Day here because the incidence of kilt wearing goes up exponentially if only for one day. Last time I went downtown for the parade, fellow kilties and I all made a point of walking over and giving the "fist bump" to each other...left a lot of "civilians" looking on in what could only be awe.

If you've followed discussions here in the forum, you'll see that we over on this side of the Atlantic cain't figger out why the Scots don't wear the kilt more often.

BECAUSE, IF YOU GOT IT...FLAUNT IT, BABY!


Best,

AA

[seanachie]

I was in Inverness in January and naturally visited all the kilt shops. I was surprised at the number of natives hiring kilts for Burns dinners. Clearly I was wrong thinking that there must be one tucked in the back of the closet. As one who is not a Scot, I do try to always wear the kilt respectfully. I hate someone who makes a complete fool of himself or participates in some craziness and is kilted. People remember the kilt an it makes it a bad way for it to be represented.

[Spartan Tartan]

I agree that if one owns a kilt, that should be enough reason to wear it. A Scottish friend of my wife's and mine, asked why I was wearing a kilt a couple days ago. My response--"Because my son's just came today and we have them." He was still not clear about why...he went on to ask, "but WHAT is the occasion? Who's getting married?" I was really surprised that he, of ALL people, had to ask. After all...he wore his kilt to our wedding! My take away was that he views the kilt as a special item that is to be worn for special occasions.

Although, I admit, I do not wear mine everyday and I do see it as something to wear to special events, but not exclusively.

NOTE: By "Scottish Friend", I mean our friend that was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and now lives in the States.

[McFarkus]

Actually looking forward to St. Patrick's Day here because the incidence of kilt wearing goes up exponentially if only for one day. Last time I went downtown for the parade, fellow kilties and I all made a point of walking over and giving the "fist bump" to each other...left a lot of "civilians" looking on in what could only be awe.

My only question, John: was that a 'terrorist' fist bump?

[Howard Clark]

Well I am all in favor of men everywhere wearing kilts as often as they want to.

[Andy Ternay]

I have met two other kilted Texans while wearing one of mine. In one case an instant camraderie formed and we chatted at length about kilts, tartans, etc. In the other instance both of us were in Utilikilts but the man seemed almost embarrassed and barely acknowledged me. I respected his obvious wishes and passed on. Both of these were at places where one does not expect to see a kilt, such as a store or restaurant.

In Texas I see kilts at Ren Faires, occasionally at art shows or street festivals, Highland Games, Irish/Scottish Festivals and that is about it. It is a shame not to see more out and about.

[kiltedwolfman]

I often get the " what's the occasion?" question and it puzzles people when I say that I don't war trousers. I have never understood the thought that kilts are only for special occasion wear. Afterall at one time they were simply considered regular clothes, why shouldn't they be considered so now?

If you have it then wear it well and proudly and if you've got more than one then give 'er!

[Jack Daw]

I'm content not wearing the kilt ALL the time. If I did, it would become so commonplace and not such a big deal to wear. A special item for special occasions - that's what I like.

[lukeyrobertson]

I am trying to wear my kilt more often than special days. But it takes a bit of fortitude when the general populace is not kilted and views the kilt as something novel rather than regular or even complimentary dress. What I do like is the cameraderie that develops when kilties meet each other and discuss the nature of heritage, tartan, cloth weight, jackets, culture and connect that all together with a good feeling of dressing in a manly sort of way. I think there's a healthy dose of pride when one dons the kilt and in the best way, makes us feel good about who we are and what we are about...despite the "comments", etc. I say, wear it well and wear it often!