Thoughts experieces and why don't more men wear kilts??

[Martyn]

It’s a long time since I posted so here is a brief summary of my thoughts and experiences over the past year or so!

Positive/negative? I have been wearing kilts more often in the last 12 months, mainly at weekends when walking, out for a meal, on holiday or during exhibitions for our company. I have to say that I have only had positive comments, indeed I thrive on them and the experience of wearing a kilt. Reading through some of the threads I am surprised to hear of negativity that some members have encountered, or should I be surprised? I guess I would never wear mine in a rough part of a big city, and I always look in the mirror to ensure that I don’t look stupid! I have several kilts and mostly wear 2 of them one is a traditional 8 yard tartan, the other a plain black 2fck. Outside of Scotland I always wear a sporran with the black kilt, it identifies it as a kilt and I have to say that it gets the majority of the positive comments when compared to the 8 yard tartan. I always wear a belt and matching hose, rolled down sometimes when out walking. Of course both of mine wear made to measure and I do feel that you can often see the difference, worth the wait and expense.

Observations and disappointment. Just spent a week in Scotland on holiday, all 100% kilted of course but I am again saddened at seeing just one other kilted when there, and he was the chief of a clan! One local lady in an Inverness shop commented “Nice Kilt” and we got talking, she said “I would love to see more Scots wearing kilts and indeed many do posses them but only wear them for wedding etc” We went on to discuss that it could be the cost of a kilt is used to as an excuse? None the less it is sad. Last month I spent the majority of a week kilted in Frankfurt, Germany at an exhibition and also walking around town. Saw 3 others kilted there, more than in Scotland! Though two were fellow exhibitors, the other was walking the streets looking like he was going to a Metallica concert that was on nearby. Our exhibition stand was located in the GB area, on the last day I wore trousers! Just because I knew at the end of the day we would have very dirty and sweaty work to do packing up… I was surprised but 3 fellow English chaps came up top me separately asking where was the kilt and they would love to have the courage to wear one. It appears seeing me all week with the positive comments from passers by had given them a push towards it, let’s hope.

Some conclusions: Kilt wearing is always positive thing as long as you look correct. Many many more men would love to wear a kilt if they felt comfortable to do so. The cost of well made real kilts does not help.

What can we do to increase kilt wearing??? I do feel quite passionate, and I know for a fact that during the last few years I have converted at least 2 men into wearing the kilt from time to time, just 2 though not enough….. Martyn

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

A case could probably be made for wearing the uniform of one of HM's Tower Warders (the Beef Eaters), citing dashing good looks, and comfort, but I doubt many Englishmen would adopt it as their everyday mode of dress. Besides thinking that they'd stick out like a sore thumb when riding the Number 11 bus, they would also balk at the cost. There is one other consideration, and that is MA (male apathy), a disease that inflicts most men with the desire to not bother when getting dressed.

All in all, pulling on your trakkies takes a lot less effort (and thought) than wrapping a kilt around your waist, pulling up your socks, hooking up your garters, and tying your shoes before you head out the door to catch the Number 11 bus to the Job Centre.

I don't think it is as much a matter of cost (equal to about three pair of "high end" trainers) as it is availability, and "social comfort" on the bus, that keeps most men in trousers.

[Catdad]

Why don't more men wear kilts? I would say probably because they think you have to be Scottish to do so. At least that could explain things here in the US.

[Nighthawk]

Why don't more men wear kilts? I would say probably because they think you have to be Scottish to do so. At least that could explain things here in the US.

That is a part of it. It is only, in my experience, a small part though. The biggest problem, here in the States, is that we live in a society that is still very much influenced by the Puritans. We also live in a very homophobic society. The kilt kinda looks like a skirt, and looks nothing at all like pants, so it therefore is effeminate. Men wear pants- peiod. I had a guy tell me that once. I looked at his rather attractive jean-wearing girlfriend and said "I'm sorry, sir- I mistook you for a woman!" She thought that was hilarious- the guy got just got red-faced mad and cursed at me as I walked away withy a grin on my face. The real problem is that we as a society in the States have a very closed minded attitude. If something doesn't fit in with our narrow minded view of what is socially acceptable, then it is a problem. Is there a good scientiffic, social, or psychological reason not to allow gay marriage for example? No, there is not. The reason gays are not allowed to marry is because one group of people wouldn't don't like it. There is this attitude about my way of doing things. My way is the right way. If you have a different way of doing things, then I have leave to force my views on you. (Oh yeah- and don't you dare try to force yours on me!) We have a fear of ridicule, we have a fear of breaking convention- because we have been conditioned to believe that the majority is correct. The Backstreet Boys sold 45 million copies of their last album- therefore, it is quality music. The Denver Symphony has never charted with their CD releases- this means that the Backstreet Boys album Millenium is better than the Mozart released by the symphony. We as a species need to be led, to be told what to do- it's much easier to be a part of the herd than to run with the pack. Personally, I see us as the pack- as I don't want us to become the herd. I like that not a lot of men have the stones to strap on a kilt. People who have the guts to buck the norm stand out, and those are the people I like to be around. How could I identify a rabble if everyone looked like us?

[IrishGodfather]

Personally, I see us as the pack- as I don't want us to become the herd. I like that not a lot of men have the stones to strap on a kilt. People who have the guts to buck the norm stand out, and those are the people I like to be around. How could I identify a rabble if everyone looked like us?

Well said bro!!! I totally agree...I see the kilt as a tough man's garmet, and like our ancestors we're al rebeling against convention and being ourselves, something America used to pride itself on, but lately we've all become sheep...

KILT ON!!!!!

[Bigkahuna]

Well said bro!!! I totally agree...I see the kilt as a tough man's garmet, and like our ancestors we're al rebeling against convention and being ourselves, something America used to pride itself on, but lately we've all become sheep...

KILT ON!!!!!

Some are sheep. Some are wolves. Me, I'm a sheepdog!!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The biggest problem, here in the States, is that we live in a society that is still very much influenced by the Puritans.

You've covered a lot of territory with your post, and before I respond I thought I'd ask you to tell us what the Puritans believed, and how those beliefs have influenced modern day US attitudes.

Thanks.

[Dan R Porter]

You've covered a lot of territory with your post, and before I respond I thought I'd ask you to tell us what the Puritans believed, and how those beliefs have influenced modern day US attitudes.

Thanks.

Uh oh. Are you really Dr. Hathaway my World Religion proffessor?

[Lady M]

Uh oh. Are you really Dr. Hathaway my World Religion proffessor?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Uh oh. Are you really Dr. Hathaway my World Religion proffessor?

Nope. But I really do have problems with sweeping polemical statements.