I think i'm turning into a kilt snob...

[Ayin McFye]

Ok. So I was out last week and all last weekend to a "Medieval Event" called Estrella War. There was probably about 8,000 - 10,000 people there. Over the course of the week I probably saw around 100 different people wearing "kilts". I can count on one hand how many of them looked good doing so. I really wish I had thought of it sooner, but I should have brought my camera around with me taking pictures.

Anyways, I find myself being EXTREMELY critical of the "kilts" that other people are wearing and I believe that I have probably forgotten the best part about a kilt. "if you have fun wearing it, do so".

Now all that being said though, I do still believe that there should be some kind of "standards" when wearing a kilt and please correct me if you disagree. Here are some of the things that I saw over the last week that just made me cringe.

1) There must be pleats for it to be considered a kilt. Otherwise it's just a plaid piece of fabric wrapped around the waist.

2) Please have more than 5 or 6 pleats if they are knife pleats. (box pleats are ok)

3) Do not pleat the kilt ALL THE WAY around.

4) If you're going to wear a kilt, respect it. Don't go giving people that take it seriously a bad name.

5) If you're going for the "authentic" look, and you have all the accessories, bells and whistles, please wear nice looking shoes too. Flip Flops, Sandels, should probably be replaced with different shoes, IF you're going for the full dress look.

I'm sure there are more that I saw over the last week but those were the major ones. Again, I think i'm turning into a kilt snob because I used to just think "Hey, there's a guy wearing plaid around his waist! Awesome!" And now I have to fully inspect the person to see if they are doing in right. I'm sure I should probably just let it go, and I'll try, but does anyone else out there catch themselves OVER analyzing other people in kilts?

[Darkislander]

I think I do.

[Maclachlan]

I have in the past, but now, as you said, "if you have fun wearing it, do so". That sentiment allows me to overlook some of the different ways of wearing the kilt (i.e. sans sporran or kilt hose, sandals, etc.). Now, should I see a gent wearing it pleats to the front or his sporran slung too low, I may correct that gently, "You know, I've never seen sporran tracks like that before today..."

[Rogerson785]

Remember the kilt is not a uniform, so the need for uniformity and strict adherence to a Scottish dress code is not a requirement for everyday kilt wear. However, should one see a fellow kilted person wearing the kilt with, i.e. pleats in the front, then be polite, take the gentleman aside and explain the proper wear.

I used to be chided by my fellow soldiers for wearing what they considered to be too short shorts in the warmer months, and when running so called Daisy Dukes (are extremely short, form-fitting, denim cut-off jeans shorts, usually portrayed as being worn by young women and girls in the American South.)However, being a three time marathon runner I was able to stand my ground and explain the benefits of such short exercise shorts, not like the soccer / football shorts we now are required to wear.



This is and has been my style for years, and I feel comfortable going out like this. While serving with the Australians and New Zealanders I snickered at the men for wearing Capri’s’, but that was their accepted style. So, if one chooses to wear a Velcro sport kilt with sandals and a beer t-shirt, then go for it because everyone is entitled to their own fashion statement or style, and that is why I am a soldier in the US Army, so people can dress like fools or parade down 5th Avenue New York in an 8 yard premium hand sewn kilt.

[arrogcow]

To be fair, the only kilt that would have existed at the "time" of the Estrella War would have been a great kilt (and then only barely), so would have been hand pleated (new sewing), and not yet codified into standard length, yardage or number of pleats.

Adam

[B. Somm]

What I find annoying are the folks who wear Utilikilts as their "garb" to events. It's one thing when you're just setting up camp, but once you're done, then at least try to look a little more "medieval"!

So I hear ya cluckin' big chicken!

B.

[MacMoose]

I heartily agree. I have been to many Renn Faires and the like, and I have seen some of the same things, and it is hard to seperate the "spirit" (if you will) of wearing a kilt, and the traditions and culture behind it.

On the other side of the coin, I see the the Renn Faire regualrs at Highland Games and I must admit, I get my back up a bit. I have wanted to tell more than one such attendee that we are NOT playing at being a culture, this IS our culture, and the tartans, coats of arms, etc are very real and mean something special to us.

Then I take a great big breath, remind myself it is not worth drawing my sgian dubh over....and have a wee dram. Heck, I'll even offer them a dram (if they are old enough!)

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

As much as it may be against my nature, I agree. I tend to be a live and let live sort of guy. However, if one is going to wear a prince charlie, a nightstalker sporran and tennis shoes are not appropriate. That being said, there are many different ways to wear the kilt, accesories to choose, and being able to put together a look that is comfortable and somewhat "together" is the key. My two cents.....

[BoldHighlander]

On the other side of the coin, I see the the Renn Faire regualrs at Highland Games and I must admit, I get my back up a bit. I have wanted to tell more than one such attendee that we are NOT playing at being a culture, this IS our culture, and the tartans, coats of arms, etc are very real and mean something special to us.

These "types" (and others) annoy me at our local Highland Games if what they are wearing (or the way they are wearing it) is like one big caricature of those of us who do see it as our culture. Then it just makes us as a whole look like a big joke to the unkilted masses attending our local games

That being said, there are many different ways to wear the kilt, accesories to choose, and being able to put together a look that is comfortable and somewhat "together" is the key. My two cents.....

I agree

[beloitpiper]

Welcome to our brotherhood, fellow kilt snob. There's a few of us here at X Marks, with varying degrees of snobbery, but anyone with a discriminating taste is welcome.