Kilt shirts

[Andrew]

Alaskan times change and so do materials. A Kilt is a Kilt, even if it is made of Poly/viscose, canvis or what ever. As long as the Kilt is made to look like a Kilt and have the Traditonal features then as far as I am concerned it is a KILT. If it is not deep pleated in the back and is a wrap around style then I agree that is a skirt. But just because it is not made from wool does not make it less of a Kilt. I wear Poly Kilts because I have Scotish blood running through my veins and I don't want to pay good money to have it washed. Newer material is much easier to keep up so I don't think using it is that wrong. Really we are in the year 2004 and Better materials are avalible to use, so I say use them. I do agree that a Kilt should be made to look like I Kilt!!!

[Alaskan]

I don't mean to say that if you aren't wearing wool you are wearing a skirt.
I think we all have a line drawn in our mind and on one side of that line is kilts and on the other side is skirts.
That line is probably different for every person on this forum, but I think we all have a line somewhere and wouldn't wear what falls on the skirt side of our own line.
I don't really think there is any "real" line for where the division is for kilts and skirts. It's a personal decision we all have to make. I am certainly tempted by the poly/vicose kilts, if for no other reason, because they are a lot cheaper. However, I wouldn't feel comfortable in one.

[Blu (Ontario)]

.... but to me, if it isn't made of wool... then it really isn't a kilt.

Tell that to Bear with a straight face!

[Alaskan]

Bear is entitled to his opinion, as are you, Blu, as is Andrew, as is everyone on this forum... including me.
I'm not trying to convert anyone else to my opinion, nor am I trying to take anything away from kilts that are not made out of wool. I know that the majority of the people on this forum wouldn't agree with me anyway.
I'm just saying that personally I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing a "kilt" that wasn't made out of wool because I personally wouldn't feel that it was a kilt.
I'd feel a lot more comfortable telling Bear that I didn't think it was a kilt if it wasn't made out of wool than I would telling someone about how what I was wearing was a traditional Scottish garment, if it wasn't made of wool.

[bubba]

My own opinion is it's the garment design that's traditional rather than the material. The poly has the look and feel of wool to a large degree so it really doesn't make much difference and, even more traditional than a wool kilt is a Scotsmans thrift

[highlandtide]

.... but to me, if it isn't made of wool... then it really isn't a kilt.

That is like saying a shirt made out of anything but cotton isnt a shirt. I know you have vehemently stated that it is "your opinion" but I still think it is unfounded. Even by your own dictionary defenition it says "usually made out of..."

The Japanese will most likely be the next culture to adopt a modern form of kilt as they are obsessed with Celtic culture. I think it is too bad that you limit yourself to what they would have worn in the 1700's when there are modern improvements for us! Do you think that the model T is the only "real" car and that all others defeat the purpose of transportation?


...

[Blu (Ontario)]

Bear is entitled to his opinion, as are you, Blu, as is Andrew, as is everyone on this forum... including me.....

Pow!... Absolutely right. You have to go with what you're comfortable with. Can't fault you for that for sure, although I suspect that your views may soften over time and with a bit with a bit of experience.

[phil h]

you can still have a kilt made out of something other than wool. I have a few. made in the same way, by scots in scotland,it's still a kilt,a kilt is a style not a material.most including you, would not be able to tell the difference, unless I told you.
also I think tradition is an evolving thing.
what was tradition in 1600 is not the same as in 1800
both are valid.the sport kilt or street kilt is becoming a traditon, just as the great kilt once was.
we need to get over this narrow mindednes and evolve.
stuff like this just holds us back.
I like the picture on the utilikilts site, the evolution thing,starts off with an ape on the left and ends with a guy in a kilt walking to the right.

[Andrew]

However, personally if someone makes any comments about what I am wearing I want to be able to tell them "this is a kilt, not a skirt." In order to feel that I am right when I say that, there needs to be a clear line in my mind between what is a kilt and what is a skirt. So to me a kilt needs to be made of tartan wool, and sewn in the traditional way.
Also, being in Japan I want to be able to explain to people that it is a traditional Scottish garment, and I couldn't say that about a kilt that wasn't made of wool without feeling that I was lying.

Alaskan, not that I am trying to pick on you or anything like that, but if you are that worried about wearing a traditional Scottish Kilt then why do you wear the modern version designed by an Englishman? If you really get down to it you should be donning your bedding every morning, thats right you should be wearing a Great Kilt! The Great Kilt is as traditionaly Scottish as it gets.

And on the subject of everyone and their opinion, I couldn't agree more that everyone is intiled to thier own opinion. It sure is nice to have a place where we can all share those opinions with each other.
LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!

[Hamish]

I too am something of a traditionalist when it comes to the authenticity of our Scottish kilts. However, I am also firmly of the belief that The Kilt as we know and love it, should not be permitted to become a period costume. It MUST be allowed to evolve, whether through the fabrics used, startling new tartan designs, total lack of tartan, or even minor changes in the design of the garment itself - such as the increasingly popular 'hipster' style. The provision of pockets (hidden or detachable) is a great innovation, and means that we are not OBLIGED to wear a sporran if we do not want to, unless we are dressing in the full, authentic regalia of course (which I happily do - Day or Evening - when circumstances require that I should).

To me, provided my kilt has been tailored for me by a fully trained kiltmaker located somewhere within Scotland (regardless of whether it is of wool, polyester, leather or PVC!), then it is a Scottish kilt!

As of this afternoon, I currently have 21 Scottish kilts - 12 are in wool, 7 are in a poly-wool blend, and 2 are in PVC (Imitation leather).

The remaining 12 'kilts' in my wardrobe are American in origin and are of cotton, cotton-based fabrics or canvas. Whilst these are called kilts, I happily refer to them as "my American kilts" or "my Men's skirts".

I do all I am able to help promote the wearing of the kilt, casually or formally, on a daily basis. It should NOT be pushed to the back of a wardrobe only to be brought out for Weddings, Hogmanay - oh, and Tartan Day parades!