The Tartan Police!

[James]

The separate thread regarding tights has raised a major point which should be aired, and then knocked on the head.

Quite simply if a traditionalist like myself mentions the strongly held view of many that this or that tartan is specific to members of this or that that clan/family: there is a great outcry regarding 'not being dictated to and the activities of the tartan police'

Too there is oft mention of garments, that whilst termed a kilt, can really stretch the imagination if to be accepted as a kilt.

Too there are all sorts of ways of wearing such garments, be it of length-and with or without this or that.

Again any comment will attract the claim of inhibition by the now notorious tartan police.

This leads to the simple fact that we cannot have it both ways, and if we are to accept this or that variation: then we must also accept that others will venture into territory which to us is alien. Now I'm not thinking about cross dressing-for that is something else entirely.

A simple example would be the wearing of overly-long kilts, something which is anathema to most traditionalists: now if we accept them-or say the Utilikilt: should we not also be prepared to accept that some for whatever reason be it medical or otherwise, might choose to wear tights?

Or for that matter some other, to now unthought of variant?

In essence the concept of kilt wearing as expressed upon this board encompasses myriad variations: and whilst we all have our own views and preferences, it is incumbent upon us to debate them in a fair and open manner-thus I should accept approaches which to me are quite amazing: and of course vice versa.

For i fwe do not accept such an open approach, we will in essence be falling into the same mindset as that which dictates that the kilt must not be worn South of Perth.

James

[Blu (Ontario)]

I cannot disagree with that, James.

In context, and regardless of how strongly we may feel about an issue, it is important that any expression of opinions be taken strictly as a bit of subjective discourse and not some sort of legal dictate.

[Dreadbelly]

[bubba]

Dread, that's good.


James, while we all have our own styles and ideas I think it's always good to share ideas like gentlemen and look occasionally at the traditions. It's like the old saying goes, you need to know the law before you can safely break it. I wear primarily tartan kilts but in a casual manner and it works for me but I also appreciate the traditional waysThe wearing of the kilt may evolve and change but the traditional ways are still there too and there's room for all of it.

[Scotus]

Because of the nature of this forum, there is a certain amount of decorum that is exercised in regard to opinions on what is acceptable "kilt clothing." There are many, many people with whom I disagree in this forum, especially over on that contemporary kilt section; however, if I find that I can't say anything nice, I probably shouldn't say anything at all. I believe that might possibly be a policy for the forum. There are those of us who don't accept Utilikilts as kilts, but there is a certain amount of tolerance for the sake of peace on the board. A part of the reason for this is because there are so many people that belong to this forum.

Personally, I am more of a traditionalist than many, but not as much as others. I would like to be able to express my opinion in many matters in this forum, but given the strong opinions to which I am prone, I try to refrain. I must confess that I have been guilty of jumping on those who tend to have opinions that differ from mine. I do believe that people tend to pile on the traditionalist more than the contemporary kilt wearers in this forum. Could this be our own forum of political correctness in this forum? I'm only asking.

I walk cautiously if someone starts talking about how to paint and decorate a kilt! In my mind I'm screaming, but I simply back away from the computer. I don't think we have to be "open" to anything, but we need always to be civil. Again, I disagree with many post that fall from the commonly accepted kilt practices; however, since I don't think I'm going to change anyone's mind simply by my brilliant posts, I refrain (or at least try).

[Blu (Ontario)]

ROTFLMAO !! Dread... that is toooo funny!!

[Rob Wright]

I'm a full time kilt wearer. There are situations that wool is not an option and because I wear kilts at work I will not wear one out of a poly material. Not a dislike, just a safety concern, I don't wear materials that can melt to one's skin, if open flame gets to it. The option left to me is to wear contemporary kilts. Some do not like them but I don't care. I will not go back to trousers.

Kilts like all garments will evolve, it can't be stopped. With the contemporary styles one can wear a kilt in a situation wear a traditional would not work.

The more options, the better.

Rob

[macwilkin]

I think James has made some excellent points & did so in a very thoughtful and respectful manner. Thank you, James.

Respect is a two-way street. I know I'm sounding like a broken record here, but in order to get respect you must give it. I am a traditionalist when it comes to kilts, but I would never dream of saying that those who wear the "modern" variations such as Utilikilts, etc. are wrong and should immediately conform to my beliefs. On the same token, I would hope that the same respect would be returned and shown to me for my beliefs.

Some of the most intolerant people I have ever met in my 31 years on this piece of solar driftwood were those claiming to be "tolerant" -- they were "non-conformists" who believe everyone else should be "non-conforming" as well, which kinda defeats the whole purpose of non-conformity, as I see it.

Who cares, all that matters is that you stop wearing troosers. They are uncomfortable.

Some of us cannot wear the kilt everyday, for employment, financial, or personal reasons; my personal opinion is that since my kilt is such a special garment to me, in regards to my Scots heritage, that I do not want it to become just an "ordinary" garment, like a pair of trousers. But, that is just my personal opinion, not Gospel. I have a lot of respect for those who wear a kilt everyday, and I do not believe they are "wrong" because their kilt-wearing habits do not match mine. Are we no less a kilt-wearer because we choose not (or cannot) to wear one everyday?

Theodore Roosevelt once said that "courtsey is much a mark of a gentleman as courage". I think those are words to live by.

Cheers,

Todd

[Dreadbelly]

Todd, I meant no disrespect what so ever with that line. Just a sincere and heartfelt emotion for me.

For a so called enlightened society, there is an awful lot of restriction on what we can and can not wear. That irks me.

I wear the kilt every day to make a statement. Pretty soon, I wont be wearing a kilt every day. I will be wearing a kilt on some days, a sarong on others, and a kikoi or a Macabi on others.

I am feeling brave and cocky... It's time to terrorise the public with my anti conformist ways :razz:

[bubba]

Humans, as a group, are herd beasts. Anything that differs from the herd is suppressed as much as possible. It isn't laws or regulations that do it, it's the people themselves, the neighbors, those we work with, everyone around us. The pressure to conform can be pretty severe at times and those of us that can withstand that pressure and be different, be ourselves, frighten the rest.