Why don't more Scottish citizens wear kilts?

**scotswelshrunner** · 19th February 16, 11:00 AM

So, after my topic regarding Scottish men as to how many kilts they own and seeing a very low number % wise, it begs the question: why?
Sure, I do understand that a handmade wool kilt is indeed an expensive acquisition and wouldn't expect many people at all , even here on this forum, to own many bespoke kilts. But in this 21st century there are many companies making basic and deluxe kilts out of other materials that work very well and are super affordable.

Is this an issue with comfort or fashion from a modern Scottish point of view or is the typical Scottish male simply not interested in wearing a kilt in his own country? Are blue jeans (ack,yuk and ugh) just so much still the average that there is no going back? A decent kilt will last many years while a pair of blue jeans or nice trousers tend to be made less well these days.

I'd love to see a survey done in Scotland where men are asked about the kilt and it's place in historical and modern dress. And to ask them if they would wear a kilt more often, even daily, if other men did so as well.

Thoughts?

Seumas Dòmhnal Ross

**Jock Scot** · 19th February 16, 11:47 AM

Can I suggest you put a couple of hours aside, and read two threads. Followed by two more, amateur surveys, if you have the stamina, that illustrates how some Scots think about the kilt.

Highlanders discuss Highland attire, by David L Pope.

Two telling comments, by Jock Scot.

Food for thought, by Jock Scot.

Food for thought 2(F4T2), by Jock Scot.

**scotswelshrunner** · 19th February 16, 11:50 AM

Thank you! I shall commence reading!

**Jock Scot** · 19th February 16, 12:09 PM

The links for the first two threads I mentioned, can be found in a current thread called "Light Bulb Moment" in the "general kilt talk" section here.

**tpa** · 19th February 16, 06:25 PM

People in all countries tend to wear what they are brought up to wear. Scots are no different. Prior to the advent of Pakistani imports, the only kilts available were relatively expensive wool kilts. Most of those few who owned one would have bought it for a special occasion and because it was a) expensive and b) for special occasions would no more consider wearing it every day than you would consider wearing a dinner jacket every day.

Few Scots had the advantage I had of being bought a kilt at a young age and wearing it at least once most weeks and going for walks wearing it. As a result when in my 30's I got a second so I could wear one more often without having to worry about spoiling the special occasion one. However only the relatively recent advent of cheaper kilts allowed me the luxury of wearing one daily for most activities.

There is another consideration too which I have, I think, mentioned in a previous thread and that is that when attired in a relatively high waisted kilt, waistcoat and jacket for a special occasion, you can feel constrained and not necessarily all that comfortable especially if you have to indulge in any form of physical activity. As a result few Scots will have had the experience of wearing a kilt casually so won't have felt the advantages of doing so.

The advent of the Tartan Army and imported kilts may have changed things a little but I'd warrant that few Tartan Army fans would think of wearing their kilts to anything other than to go to a football match because that is what they have bought them for and others are doing the same. I'm guessing a bit here because I stay as far away from football as I can and also since the advent of the Tartan Army I have been living in England for most of the time.

I have to admit that, prior to Jock's posts, it had never occurred to me that any Scot wearing a kilt in Scotland would be taken for a tourist, any more than prior to joining this forum, I was aware of the interest in kilts in the US and the regular wearing of them. The tourist element is, I think, a relatively recent thing and again for most of my resident time in Scotland, I'd say that the only kilts I saw were being worn by Scots. I have been asked if I am American, but not when wearing a kilt.

**Jock Scot** · 20th February 16, 05:09 AM

Well yes and no, TPA. I certainly think that some of the younger generation's concerns about the tartan kilt and the tourist industry is a fairly recent occurrence. However the general thought of "playing at being a Scot" has been a good natured thought/comment that has been about for all of my life as has the rather more cutting term of "pocket Scot" which thankfully seems to be falling out of use these days.

**Grouse Claw** · 7th March 16, 05:15 AM

Originally Posted by tpa

Few Scots had the advantage I had of being bought a kilt at a young age and wearing it at least...

i am one of those lucky people. My parents bought me a kilt when I was very young, and living in Clydebank. It was the thing to do then. Just a few years ago I decided to wear the kilt here in New Zealand-a daunting prospect outside the pipe band culture. Had my parents not dressed me up in Scotland I wouldn't have had the courage to do it here. The only wearer I have seen outside the band scene was a tourist. I was captivated, and that was 30 years ago, at least. I have not seen one since. I have heard it said that the elderly are invisible. Not in a kilt! I'm looking for a buddy in Christchurch who also wears the kilt when he feels like it. Join the forum!