Just because we can?

[Jock Scot]

Now I realise full well, that I come from a different generation to most of you, I come from a different Country from most of you, my upbringing has been different to most of you, I have also been my own boss for most of my life and I can wear the kilt in the home of the kilt on almost any day that I choose.These things do inevitably give me a different perspective, but just because I can, does not mean that I should. Personally I rarely wear the kilt outwith Scotland, in fact I rarely wear the kilt outwih the Highlands of Scotland. I don't wear the kilt every day and I don't expect to wear the kilt for every occasion. I could, but I don't. Why? Its called common sense, discretion and an ability to consider others and these three things vary in importance for each and every occasion.

Which leads me to my point and concern. Just why must some of you insist on wearing the kilt on almost every occasion you can think of when, your boss, wife, partner, host, occasion may differ and when frankly, the event dictates for many reasons, that something other than the kilt ought to be worn? Yes, I understand this if you only have the kilt to wear, but really is that just an excuse? It is so easy and fairly inexpensive these days to pop out and buy a pair of trousers if required. Is there an element, a large element even for some , of showing off going on here? I think probably so.

My concern, for what it is worth, is that the kilt will no longer be something special ----------and yes, and without putting the kilt on an alter, it is special to me and many Scots who worry that those outwith these shores who have, understandably perhaps, a different perspective------ it will be cheapened by either becoming a throw away fashion item, or an item of ridicule mainly because the wearer has not got the forethought to realise that the kilt is not always the best choice for a particular event.

What do you think?

[Spartan Tartan]

Jock,
Very interesting point and not terribly unsurprising, knowing your general point of view on kilt wearing.

Since you asked, I'll offer my thoughts... but be warned, my thoughts do not differ too much from your own generally. Although, I do wear a kilt and I am not Scottish and so accordingly do so "outwith" Scotland. Most certainly oustside of the Highlands. That being said...

I find it interesting that some want to justify wearing a kilt for nearly any occasion. Or want to "fight the power" to wear one to work and whatnot. I enjoy wearing my kilt and I don't reserve it for particular events, however, I will not just throw on my kilt to walk out the door and head to the supermarket. If I happen to be wearing my kilt for some other (valid to me) reason, then I would stop by the supermarket if necessary.

There are some sentimental reasons that I wear my kilt, but largely it is a choice among several other options. A choice which the vast majority of the time is not the best in my opinion. I tend to dress more traditionally and although we debate over a pint/dram how to wear a kilt "traditionally" to the beach--why would I wear my kilt to the beach? My swimsuit is so much more appropriate. Additionally, I paid $1000 USD for my kilt, I will not be lounging in the sand. Not to mention, it would not be the most comfortable. Nor am I so interested to do so that I would purchase a cheap kilt simply for that purpose. Hmmmm....

I don't disparage anyone that does the above--I just do not understand it. I, probably like you, see and hear such things and I certainly have thoughts about it. I do, however, keep my thoughts to myself. Honestly, I do not give too much thought to it as I have more pressing matters to concern myself with.

In the end, it is of no concern to my why others wear their kilt. Most certainly, I am not terribly interested in the hour long justification that you have referred to several times within various posts. On the other hand, I am more than happy to chat and discuss whatever topic comes up in the right circumstances.

Ahhhh.... so much for that. I am certainly going to watch this thread with interest to see the responses.

[Geoff Withnell]

Jock,
Although neither of us is a spring chicken, my upbringing was obviously somewhat different than yours. Again, obviously, since I am USA based, I do not have an issue with wearing the kilt outwith Scotland. I do wear a kilt most of the time. Why? Several reasons - it is more comfortable than trousers, my wife thinks I look better in a kilt than in trousers, and other reasons. However, I do not wear a kilt all the time. I don't wear a kilt to work, except occasionally on Fridays, if I don't have a customer facing meeting. If I am dealing with a customer, I want him or her to be thinking about what I am saying, not what I am wearing. I don't wear a kilt to Sabbath services at synagogue, or when attending a minyan (daily prayer service) at the home of someone mourning a death in the family; again it's not about what I'm wearing. I don't wear it at any other time when it would draw undue attention to me and what I wearing when that is inappropriate. I do wear a kilt as I go about my daily activities other than work, and when attending social events with friends or in my synagogue community. They know me, and just accept the kilt as "That's what Geoff wears". Whether the occasion is casual, formal, or somewhere in between, I do try to wear the kilt properly, and with respect. It would be beyond silly to wear a kilt at least in part to acknowledge my Scottish and Celtic heritage, and then disrespect it my wearing it sloppily.

[Father Bill]

Okay, I'll jump in.

I see value in each of the first three comments as I write this. Obviously, I'm neither in Scotland nor specifically the highlands but I love my two kilts, and Canada in general and my part of it in particular have a strong affinity and historical connection to Scotland as one might see by simply looking at the names of towns or streets on any local map, or for that matter reading our telephone directory. (Very long "Mac..." section)

Having said that, I am also of the school that prefers attention to be given more to what I might have to say than my mode of dress and to those around me who are more the focus in any given situation. Example: My wife's retirement party is this week. Will I wear a kilt? NO! It's her evening, not mine and it isn't something I'd even consider for a moment. I'll wear a grey suit and plain black or dark grey clerical shirt. Might there be a small Sinclair pocket puff? That's a good possibility, but possibly a black one to match the shirt or none at all.

Nor do I wear a kilt out and about on general business, although as Geoff has said, if I'm returning from or going to a kilted affair, I'm unlikely to go home to change if I stop at the grocer's or gas station on the way to or from. I reserve the kilt for dress occasions such as special lodge meetings like Kilwinning Lodge here in London or Scottish events like Highland Games or St. Andrew's nights, church events such as the Feast of St. Andrew (when it's under my cassock and surplice anyway and only seen at coffee hour afterwards) and other analogous situations.

For our kiltmakers, kilt retailers and others in related situations? Of course you wear it to work! What else would you put on in the morning?

Actually, next month I will wear a kilt to perform a wedding. I'm marrying two elderly Scots from the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion where I'm Padre, and they've specifically asked me to wear my kilt as the groom will be wearing his. In that situation it will be appreciated as a contribution not a distraction from the words or prayers of the ceremony.

But to wear it to go about daily errands? Why on earth would I do that? This isn't Scotland, and I'm not a piper on duty. I'm not in "Look-at-me" mode. As I've said before, what I am is a priest. I want people to be comfortable approaching me to speak of their worries and concerns, not put off by something unusual or wondering why I'm dressed otherwise than the norm.

Personal comfort? Nonsense. If you wear good quality properly tailored trousers instead of skin-tight costumes imitating the 18 year old god of physical fitness, they're quite comfortable and there's no sporran popping back and forth on my privates either (The way I'm shaped, it sometimes does) nor getting in the way of the steering wheel in my tiny car.

In my mind, the kilt is to be treated with affectionate respect and applied respectfully in appropriate, Scottish-related situations. To do otherwise is to me very much a silly affectation and quite abnormal.

And while I'm in mid rant, no T-shirts, hiking boots, or scrunched down hose either. I'm not hiking or leading people on hikes. For those who are... more power to you. "Casual" doesn't mean dressed to clean out the garage or paint the barn. The picture below is casual in my mind: no tie or collar, no jacket, tattersall type shirt, no hair sporran or even silver cantle, no diced hose, and frankly I've ordered a belt with a plain buckle rather than the belly-plate shown and that's what I'll likely wear if I even wear a belt for future similar occasions, rather than the one in the photo.

For those who are potentially offended by this point of view, no apologies offered or available, we were asked for our perspectives, and this is mine.

Here endeth the rant.

[ctbuchanan]

I am also outwith Scotland although my ties to Scotland are very close - my mum was born there and I still have a large family there. That being said on my most recent trip back to Scotland this April I did not bring a kilt, I could not think of any event where it would have been appropriate. If there had been a family wedding to attend, I would have worn it proudly.

Here in the States the only time I wear the kilt:
1. Scottish Festivals or Highland Games - obvious. (This would include a concert by a pipe band such as the Black Watch).
2. Family events: we like to wear our kilts for family weddings, funerals, Christmas dinner and a few other times. I would not wear it to a family picnic or to the beach etc.
3. "Kilt Night" events where several of us kilt wearers meet up at a pub etc. - obvious.
4. Formal events outside of my family - friends weddings etc only after checking with the bride - I feel that my formal kilt attire stands up to any black tie wedding and most of my friends welcome it. I feel the same about any other black tie event I might be invited to but I do consider the group and make a decision case by case with consultation of my wife. Her sense of decorum is usually better than mine and I do own a tux.

That's about it. I don't wear the kilt for other daily events that I can think of.

CTBuchanan

[Liam]

Another perspective.... Unlike those of you who reserve your kilt(s) for special occasions, I find wearing a kilt makes every occasion special. I have a number of kilts - different weights, PV and wool, that I wear for different occasions. I don't wear a kilt when I go for a bike ride or to my volunteer job at Heritage Park working in the grain elevator, but you will find me kilted most days. We have had the discussion in this forum previously regarding whether one of Scottish ancestry living outside the Highlands has the "right" to wear the kilt. Well, my opinion is obvious. I try to always wear it respectfully as it is part of my heritage.
All of my friends and acquaintances expect to see me in a kilt, and would consider it odd to see me in trousers or shorts.
Slainte...

[Luke MacGillie]

Jock,

Many of your questions, they are far from just a "Scottish Question" We are at our basest levels, hairless apes, who need clothing to be able to survive in our environment, and we have been in a fashion war with our neighbors since about the first person to ever wear clothing needed a new set of clothing. Do 300 bluejeans really protect us better than 30 dollar ones, or is the choice one way or the other a form of communication to the outside world?

It's bad form of course to answer questions with questions, but I have to ask:

Do you take issue with folks wearing tweed, Argyll socks, plaid shirts? Are you suffering from Cultural Appropriation? I see marginalized ethnic groups all over attempting to take back their dress from those in the dominating culture that have appropriated their clothing and iconography, so I might just understand where you are coming from.

Luke

[Jock Scot]

Jock,

Many of your questions, they are far from just a "Scottish Question" We are at our basest levels, hairless apes, who need clothing to be able to survive in our environment, and we have been in a fashion war with our neighbors since about the first person to ever wear clothing needed a new set of clothing. Do 300 bluejeans really protect us better than 30 dollar ones, or is the choice one way or the other a form of communication to the outside world?

It's bad form of course to answer questions with questions, but I have to ask:

Do you take issue with folks wearing tweed, Argyll socks, plaid shirts? Are you suffering from Cultural Appropriation? I see marginalized ethnic groups all over attempting to take back their dress from those in the dominating culture that have appropriated their clothing and iconography, so I might just understand where you are coming from.

Luke

I wear tweed a lot even when not wearing the kilt. I am actually not sure what a plaid shirt is? A tartan shirt? If it is, I have never owned one and have never worn one(or a pair of jeans)----not my thing, but at the right time and place I have no problem with people wearing them appropriately. Likewise for argyll hose, they are fine for some events but not others.

To be absolutely honest, yes I do really struggle with non Scots wearing the kilt as a civilian. However the horse has bolted, so to speak and no one is going to catch it. So I have taken the position of; if the kilt is going to be worn worldwide then let us at least wear the thing properly and with attire to suit the event, whilst not making a spectacle of the kilt. I hope I help a tad here with some judicious advice. In truth, I care little for the fellow who is making a fool of himself if he fails to listen. Uncharitable perhaps, but that is how it is for me. On the other hand, those that do their best in the right circumstances, then I do take a degree of pleasure from their efforts.

The point I am making, is that there is a time and place for the kilt as there is for other forms of clothing and wearing the kilt---we are on a kilt forum-----does need the wearer to be conscious of the event and other guests and the host, or even one's employer and having the discretion(humility?) to realise that the kilt is not always the best attire option for a particular event. I would no more wear my three piece tweed shooting suit to a formal do, than I would inappropriate kilt attire. But I fear some(not all) on this website in particular and outwith Scotland in general insist that the kilt is their only option and then to make matters worse they wear inappropriate kilt attire and badly to boot, quite often. I reject that idea, as there are more suitable clothing choices for a particular event than the kilt. I do believe there is a large element of showing off taking place that overrides good taste and brings the kilt into disrepute.

[Marine2141]

I, like many others, do not reside within Scotland's borders. I do, however, have ancestral ties to Scotland. I own a couple kilts..two traditional tartan kilts, and one utility kilt. My utility kilt is the kilt that I typically wear for "every day" stuff..such as house work, errands, etc. I don't, however, wear it on a regular basis, typically when I want to wear a kilt but don't want a sporran bouncing off my bits. The traditional kilts get worn on anniversaries, date nights with my wife, highland games, and sometimes when I am doing a show with my band. When I do wear a traditional kilt, I try to wear it with respect.

[Mikilt]

Jock,
I am with you on wearing the kilt how, when and where appropriate. The majority of the occasions to which I wear a kilt call for smart daywear, so that is how I endeavor to dress.

I feel that I respect the kilt and the land from which it came by wearing it well and being informed about the kilt and Scotland's place in history. So my answer to you is yes, I can, I do and I will wear the kilt.