"That's not a real kilt"

**RamsayClanCommish** · 12th June 09, 01:39 AM

Today I was having a conversation with a friend about kilts as he was looking to perhaps get one. We were looking online and he had several sites he went to. We looked at utilitkilts, practikilts, sportkilts, etc....and my friend said he had no interest as "That's not a real kilt"

The utilikilts and such he called fancy skirts. He wanted an "actual kilt" made in Scotland and of wool. Not denim or acrylic made by some Pakistani or "back bedroom home made job". When I explained several people wore utilikilts and such, he rolled his eyes! To him, such things are more like fakes and knock offs and craft projects. "If you wore a skirt and then put on a sporran would you say it was a kilt or a skirt?"

"I'd say it was a bad fashion choice." was my answer.

I was a bit taken aback because I didn't really know what to say to address it. My question is...what do you think? Is a utilikilt or practikilt a kilt? Or is it just a tag placed on something people want to sell that is like a kilt?

I hope I am putting this question together in an understandable way. Thoughts??

**Jock Scot** · 12th June 09, 01:45 AM

I rather think that many will agree with your friend, particularly from Scotland. In the end though it is a matter of choice, for us all.

**skauwt** · 12th June 09, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I rather think that many will agree with your friend, particularly from Scotland. In the end though it is a matter of choice, for us all.

im with jock on this one

**Highland Logan** · 12th June 09, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I rather think that many will agree with your friend, particularly from Scotland. In the end though it is a matter of choice, for us all.

I'm also on the "Jock-wagon".

Frank

**Jock Scot** · 14th June 09, 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I rather think that many will agree with your friend, particularly from Scotland. In the end though it is a matter of choice, for us all.

My comments above could be read in a way to make it sound as though we Scots are rather "snooty" and I did not mean that at all-----well not much anyway!

Let me explain. Most Scots know absolutely nothing about "the modern style" of kilt,they have no idea that people outside Scotland are remotely interested in kilts, yet alone actually wanting to wear them----I did not, until finding this site-----so it is hardly surprising that anything other than the traditional kilt is what they know. Hamish and Cessnatowser are two of a very small number of people this side of the pond who know about "the modern kilt". The Scots also have no idea about the skilled kilt makers dotted around the world either, so please don't get the idea that the Scots are being too "Snooty".

Please remember that anyone who has been on this website for more than a week will know more about kilts and the kilt wearing WORLD than the "average Scot" who's kilt wearing knowledge stretches from one wedding to the next! Not only that ,but once the kilt is safely put away in the wardrobe, that is the last they think about kilts until the morning of the next wedding.I am generalising, of course, but nevertheless I will be not far out.

**Paul Henry** · 14th June 09, 02:12 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Hamish and Cessnatowser are two of a very small number of people this side of the pond who know about "the modern kilt". .

Sorry Jock but this just isn't true, there are lots and lots of people this side of the pond who know about the modern kilt, indeed there is more than one company reasonably successfully making them.

You are right that many Scots only wear a traditional kilt for weddings and the like, but outside of your area Scotland I really think you would find a growing knowledge or acceptance of modern kilts.

but very glad to see you able to post again

**Jock Scot** · 14th June 09, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by paulhenry

Sorry Jock but this just isn't true, there are lots and lots of people this side of the pond who know about the modern kilt, indeed there is more than one company reasonably successfully making them.

You are right that many Scots only wear a traditional kilt for weddings and the like, but outside of your area Scotland I really think you would find a growing knowledge or acceptance of modern kilts.

but very glad to see you able to post again

Thank you for the good wishes, I really must get out more it seems. Alright I conceed that my knowledge of kilt wearing fashions are limited to Scotland(ish) and I am not too old to stand corrected! However, I still reckon that few in Scotland will know anything about modern kilts, certainly up here in the highlands!

**Tartan Hiker** · 14th June 09, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

My comments above could be read in a way to make it sound as though we Scots are rather "snooty" and I did not mean that at all-----well not much anyway!

Let me explain. Most Scots know absolutely nothing about "the modern style" of kilt,they have no idea that people outside Scotland are remotely interested in kilts, yet alone actually wanting to wear them----I did not, until finding this site-----so it is hardly surprising that anything other than the traditional kilt is what they know. Hamish and Cessnatowser are two of a very small number of people this side of the pond who know about "the modern kilt". The Scots also have no idea about the skilled kilt makers dotted around the world either, so please don't get the idea that the Scots are being too "Snooty".

Please remember that anyone who has been on this website for more than a week will know more about kilts and the kilt wearing WORLD than the "average Scot" who's kilt wearing knowledge stretches from one wedding to the next! Not only that ,but once the kilt is safely put away in the wardrobe, that is the last they think about kilts until the morning of the next wedding.I am generalising, of course, but nevertheless I will be not far out.

Jock,
First, welcome back and continued best wishes for complete recovery.

Next, the mods were discussing closing this thread as it was consistently running off the rails and not really developing any new information. Then your post appeared and, speaking for myself, I think this is a great summation of why there is so much misunderstanding around here between the "traditionalists" and other subgroups represented on XMTS. Thank you for this insight.

**MacKay71** · 12th June 09, 01:54 AM

Personally, I think utilikilts and others like them are kilts. Also there are many kilts made from wool fabric that just isn't a tartan weave. I don't think that tartan is the only option for it to be a real kilt. But that's just my opinion.

**cessna152towser** · 12th June 09, 02:07 AM

I'd say Utilikilts etc. qualify as kilts by virtue of having pleats at the back and overlapping front aprons. Bear in mind a kilt is just a type of skirt. Interestingly an English kilt maker (Midas) who produces mainly modern kilts covers the objection which some Scots would have to non-trad kilts by marketing his products as Kilts and Skirts for Men. Some of his products are box pleated all the way round while others have just two pleats at each side and none at the back for ease of sitting, and these do not meet the definition of kilts although I have found when wearing them that they are always perceived and accepted as kilts.