Kilts at DragonCon

[Smitty]

I just returned from Dragon Con in Atlanta, GA. Four days of science fiction/fantasy/ other geekiness at a convention that atracted about 30,000 people.

For those who are unfamiliar with this, here's a link: http://www.dragoncon.org/

Anyway, on to my point: There were a lot of kilts to be seen there. Some were part of costumes, some just everyday wear. It was good to see so many people sporting kilts, but a few observations...
First, most kilts were worn incorrectly, and noticeably so. Either they were simply not kilts at all, or worn so askew as to look ridiculous. The overall impression was that the wearer had watched Braveheart a few too many times, and believed that enough yardage of any tartan fabric = kilt. This covers most of the "kilts" worn as costumes, and displayed a general lack of respect for the kilt as a legitimate garment.
There were others that clearly knew how to wear a kilt, but the context was definitely not serious. Examples: Stormtrooper armor and a kilt, Star Trek Starfleet shirt and a kilt...strange, but I suspect that was the point.

The majority of kilts there, perhaps not surprisingly, were Utilikilts (or similar). Most wore these with t-shirts and either sneakers or sandals. (There was also a Utilikilts booth in one of the vendor areas that seemed to be doing a brisk business)
Some guys carried this off well, but many just looked uncomfortable or unsure in their kilt. It's difficult to pin down, but it just didn't look 'right'.

There were no complete daywear outfits or anything of the sort- even full 8-yard traditional kilts were being worn as part of a very casual outfit. This was to be expected, as the entire event is casual, and t-shirts and shorts were the norm.

Regardless, it was the largest population of men in kilts I've encountered outside of Highland games or similar Scottish-themed events. I probably saw at least 300 or more in some form of kilt or other. Also, I attended DragonCon 11 years ago, and there were no kilts to be seen then- this is a more recent development, although I can't say exactly when it started, or how quickly it has caught on.

[george7]

Utilikilts are popular amongst the l33t crowd. They've been selling them on Thinkgeek.com.

[walkerk]

...and displayed a general lack of respect for the kilt as a legitimate garment.

Leaf-blower girl was there, eh?

[Zardoz]

Kilts have been catching on in Sci-Fi circles for a few years. We had a panel discussion on them at the Houston ApolloCon a couple years ago. I'd say of the 2 or 3 local cons I attend every year in Houston and Dallas, there are generally about 6 or 8 kilties running around out of the 3 to 4 hundred attendees. Mostly contemporary styles, but some tartans and trads from time to time. But I'd say less than half of them are regular wearers. I wear mine all the time, usually very casual, but I'll dress it up a bit if I'm in front of people for a panel or awards etc., I've worked kilts into hall costumes as well.
I'd never take p@nts to a con, people would not recognize me!

[RockyR]

I There were others that clearly knew how to wear a kilt, but the context was definitely not serious. Examples: Stormtrooper armor and a kilt, Star

The Stormtroopers in kilts is the '501st Legion KTB' (kilted trooper brigade) who are customers of ours. Many of them wear their kilt as part of their regular 'daily clothing' while others relegate it to just wearing with their stormtrooper outfit. They are dead serious about what they do (mostly charity events for Lucas Films LTD) and are promoting the kilt:

http://www.501ktb.com/forum/viewtopi...1e21dfd423ad1a


f16warbird is a member here as well as a KTB member and a personal friend of Kelly and mine.

***PLEASE NOTE: I didn't take offense to your post as I know that most of the people at Dragon con likely WERE not wearing the kilt properly... I was just pointing out that we know the KTB guys...

[Computergeek]

The kilt blower girl that does all the conventions is Jennie Breeden, she writes a web comic called the "The Devil's Panties". The comic is pretty funny if you like to read web comics.
Thanks,
Jeremy

[KD Burke]

I was wandering around a bit.



If it weren't for some problems I've chronicled elsewhere, I'd have been outfitted in a navy blue Argyll jacket & waistcoat.

[Smitty]

***PLEASE NOTE: I didn't take offense to your post as I know that most of the people at Dragon con likely WERE not wearing the kilt properly... I was just pointing out that we know the KTB guys...

Re-reading my initial post, it does come across as more critical than I intended. Sorry 'bout that...

To be clear, I wasn't saying that the 501st troopers were wearing the kilt improperly (they weren't), merely that it was in what I considered more a whimsical context than a serious one.
This also shouldn't be taken as a statement on the 501st as a whole- I know they're serious about supporting charities, etc. Clearly, though, they're having a bit of fun doing it!


KDBurke wrote:

I was wandering around a bit.

I can't see the pic on my work computer, but I'll be sure to take another look when I get home!

[Inchessi]

What is the connection with SciFi and kilts? Note: There is no judgement or sarcasm, I just don't see the conection.

[Raphael]

What is the connection with SciFi and kilts? Note: There is no judgement or sarcasm, I just don't see the conection.

There is no connection between SciFi and Jeans as well, but there are plenty of jeans in any SciFi convention....

kidding aside, the SciFi crowd embraces things that are different than the norm. Utilikilts and other contemporary kilts bark up their alley. Many of them are also into costuming. Most of the Scifi fans I know, including myself, have kilts.

That being said, I think the Cobra Commander would look great in a kilt.