Kilt Culture

[string]

As an anthropology student I think it's very interesting to read about a rather unique "kilt culture" that I'm seeing here on the boards, and it made me think about what makes me be so accepting of kilts and other clothing choices typically not in the mainstream. As someone who doesn't actually wear the kilts, but obviously has no objections to them since I'm on here looking for ways to encourage and help out with my dear boy's kiltedness, I was wondering what brought you all to the kilted way? I have seen others here who are doing research and supporting the kiltedness of others also. In short...

What brought you to kilting?
What are the reactions and feelings from your significant others and your families?
What do you think makes you accepting of kilting, as it is certainly not the norm, nor does everyone accept it?

I personally grew up in the 18th century American reenacting scene, where kilts are some of the milder options of unusual clothing wear. When you've helped braid the native warrier's hair and put their war paint on, kilt hose are pretty low-key, and compared to a breech-cloth a kilt is quite modest. I've always been very accepting of unusual things because of this background. At my sister's wedding all the groomsmen and ushers were kilted, and when my sister was three she followed a particular piper around all the time. You could say chasing kilted boys runs in the family. My family is practically encouraging of my personal kilt model's clothing choices, though as long as he's a nice guy and a reenactor I think they'd be happy. (my mom once told me I could only date men with scalp locks and nose piercings, meaning native reenactors, I bet the dear boy is happy I have defied her.)
So that's me rambling on about why I am accepting and encouraging of kilting. Can we tell I'm sick and avoiding homework yet? I'm gonna go find more tea.

[muirkirkca]

In response:

I have always been interested in a kilt because of my many scottish roots including an uncle who could speak Gaelic. Family commitements and high cost made me delay the purchase.

Family members are neutral.

Plan on mainly celtic events and activities and those of family. Don't care what others think.

[pipesndrumsnun]

Scottish and Irish ancestry led to pipe band and pipes and kilts!
Get well soon!!

[pipesndrumsnun]

OOPS!! I failed to answer your other two questions...the nuns LOVE when I wear my kilts, as do the people at church and my students...my family does not seem to care one way or the other, but talking about kilts and pipes annoys my sister.
I love the kilt because it is beautiful and connected to my ancestry...and if kilts are not the norm, girls in kilts are totally not the norm (at least for those of Scottish descent)...but, alas, I'm hooked and LOVE my kilts!

[McMurdo]

Good questions String

What brought you to kilting?

What brought me to kilting at first was when I was a boy my parents had a friend of theirs who is a piper teach me to pipe, I gave it up and gave up kilting as well. Then about 5 years ago my twin brother got married and asked me to be his best man he decided that he wanted to go kilted for the wedding, that got me thinking why haven't I done this more often? A couple of years ago my Dad gave me his old kilt to wear for a function at work, it was such a success that I continued to wear it off and on, this led me to buy more kilts to the point where now I have 11 kilts, and wear one every day.

What are the reactions and feelings from your significant others and your families?

My ex said she did not mind it every once in a while but did not want me to wear it everyday. My family has been more accepting, the only exception being my younger brother, however even he has come around recently.

What do you think makes you accepting of kilting, as it is certainly not the norm, nor does everyone accept it?

I would have to say that my heritage was the reason that I came to kilting in the first place. My Mom and Dad were both born in Scotland. As for others not accepting it, you would be surprised how many are accepting of it, if my experience has anything to say about it. You see at work everyone just loves it, my family is accepting, my social life includes Scottish Country Dancing, where the kilt is more than accepted.

Thanks for the interesting questions this should be an enlightening thread.

[string]

I am so glad I'm getting such informative responses. Keep 'em coming!

[The Wizard of BC]

There is only one simple answer I can give to your question.

[macwilkin]

If I may recommend a book to you:

Highland Heritage: Scottish Americans in the American South by Celeste Ray. See if your university library has it or can get it on interlibrary loan.

I think you'll find it a very interesting read.

Regards,

Todd

[string]

If I may recommend a book to you:

Highland Heritage: Scottish Americans in the American South by Celeste Ray. See if your university library has it or can get it on interlibrary loan.

I think you'll find it a very interesting read.

Regards,

Todd

Oh dear, and here I was avoiding my homework, now you're giving me some.
wait, if I admit to avoiding my homework here Yeti will give me the evil eye and make me do it anyway.

[macwilkin]

Oh dear, and here I was avoiding my homework, now you're giving me some.
wait, if I admit to avoiding my homework here Yeti will give me the evil eye and make me do it anyway.

Yep, that's what we history teachers do best!

Seriously, check it out. Ray is a sociologist and her insights on the Scottish-American community are very interesting. You'll find quite a bit of similarities to the reenacting sub-culture, although the book is not as funny as Tony Horowitz's Confederates in the Attic.

Cheers,

Todd*

*ex-reenactor. I still do some living history now then for USNPS.