Kilts and guts...

[Graham]

You all knøw my pøsition but I do want to say that you are right Blu, abøut the cultural shielding, its true that in a conservative area (like most of the western wørld) it does take more guts to wear plain with confidence.

Hamish gave me a copy of the 21st Century kilt brochure, first it reminded me of what I missed while in the støre, then I was amazed at some of the kilts I wouldnt be caught dead in, but there were a few that I thought I cøuld wear if I were younger. I also had to applaud their attempt to bring about evolution in kilts.

....but my preference remains mostly traditional, although a plain from RKilts succeeded in getting me a bit away from tartan.

[Archangel]

Me, I guess, I'm traditional. That's the image in my mind. Dreadbelly summed up my feelings on moderns in his post. I don't like the cut of most of them. However, I do sort of like the fit of my sportkilt so there must be something that I would feel better wearing outside. My compromise is that I don't feel it necessary to wear the rest of the accoutrements. The kilt is a strong enough statement by itself. I also feel that a sporran is an essential part but the traditional style simply doesn't cut it in real life. That, I'm taking care of this weekend.

[Burnout]

I don't own a modern style kilt and will never own one. While a few of them aren't too effeminate looking, they are skirty and in my opinion simply a "kilt mimic" - not a true kilt. I look at them as a virus that is weakening the host. I hope this is a temporary phenomena. Sorry if I've offended anyone.

[davedove]

I've got mostly tartan, and I much prefer it. I bought an Amerikilt but I haven't worn it much. I have ordered a camo kilt from Pittsburgh kilts, just because I like the idea of a camo kilt and I plan to wear it for hiking and such. I think I will always prefer the traditional tartan though. I do need something to wear with my tropical shirts though.

[GMan]

I have both and wear them both (not at the same time). I prefer the tartan, but depending on where I am going, I may wear one of my plain kilts.

I have noticed especially with Utilikilts, it does get guys into wearing kilts, and with that, more kilts usually arrive.

Yes I do agree with Graham, age may have something to do with it, but also depends on where they live, and how they live life.

[Bob C]

I'm a traditionalist, I guess, but not a purist. I love my tartan tank and I wear it on some occasions other than expressly Celtic ones. I like how it looks with my Prince Charlie suit, with my tweed Argyll jacket and with a T-shirt.

I plan to purchase a Stillwater standard to wear on occasions when I fear the tank might get damaged. That will likely be my only other kilt purchase.

I don't care for the look of UKs or most other modern kilts. I would not wear one, but I have NO issue with those of you who do. Maybe, if I decided to make kilts a lifestyle, like some here, I'd feel differently. I certainly understand the need for an inexpensive, non-woolen garment for certain types of work and recreation.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

For those who wear both, did you find it took more audacity to wear a modern kilt? In your opinion, are your modern kilts just as much a "kilts" as your tartan traditionals? Do you experience different reactions from people between the two styles?

This is a good one buddy!

Simply put... as long as they're made to resemble the traditionals (ie. tapered apron, numerous STRAIGHT pleats) I'll wear a casual anywhere but a formal event.

The reactions are just as simple. A kilt with a solid design, from a skilled kiltmaker or seamstress, will be seen and approached as "just that". A casual that's too short and in tartan will take more abuse than ANY other kilt. (Thanks Britney Spears).

I've seen kilts "custom-made" that have pleats all over the freakin' place, and they're good for bars and waxing your car. I've seen casuals that have the pleat depth of a crease from the dryer. Those are NOT what I'm referring to.

I'm referring to casuals (like BearKilts, Pittsburgh Kilts, StillwaterKilt Standards) that are comfortable and sewn-up with a set design. All three are pieces that are designed to FIT. They're also a price that make them quite easy to wear.

As long as they're made with care... I'll reflect that in wearing them. In hot weather, I'll substitute my Cape Breton BearKilt for my hand-sewn traditional all the time. Accessorizing it the same will draw no attention. In fact, they're interchangeable for 90% of the events that I'm attending.

In your opinion, are your modern kilts just as much a "kilts" as your tartan traditionals?

As long as they're looking "proper", I love them both!

[Galant]

Not having celtic heritage at all, I got into this world of kilting for the comfort and health, and the style. I just thought - hey, why the heck not! As it is I wear both - I have two UK's and a 'tank'. I get different responses from different people. The older generations give their respect to my trad, pondering the UK's, whilst the younger generations often accuse me of wearing a skirt when in my trad (sometimes a girl will chime in "Nice skirt! I have one of those!") but get curiousity and some acclaim when in my UK.

Whatever the case, I enjoy wearing them. I realise this is a kilts only forum, but if I'm being honest and accurate, what sold me into the genre was the fact that guys have worn MUG's for a long time, some still do - and now I have more options. I'd never wear anything that looked like a female skirt, maybe one day something other than the kilt though. For now, I love the kilt, and I expect I always will.

[Rigged]

My dad was always a snazzy dresser and wouldn't be caught dead wearing blue-jeans. So, I can understand those guys who don't like the look of the casual kilts.

I could never see the point of dressing up to mow the lawn or most other daily activities. I lived in jeans and dressed up (grudgingly) when I was attending formal occassions. I found that carefully matching a neat pair of jeans with a dress shirt and the right shoes would work for most semi-formal occassions.

For me, the modern kilts are an alternative to jeans. My one tartan kilt from Bear Kilts is my dress-up kilt. Even dressed down, the tartan just doesn't feel like a kilt I'd want to wear while doing carpentry, or working on my car, or taking my kid to a movie where I'll be eating a hot dog with mustard and relish while holding a bag of popcorn in my lap.

[emeraldfalconoflight]

Question...

For those who wear both, did you find it took more audacity to wear a modern kilt? In your opinion, are your modern kilts just as much a "kilts" as your tartan traditionals? Do you experience different reactions from people between the two styles?

blu

I do indeed wear both, giving both the same amount of attention.
I believe it doesnt take much more audacity to wear a modern as a traditional, because both are seen as skirts by the multitude of the mis-educated. I believe that the modern kilts are more or less just as much a kilt than the traditional. Granted they have different yardages. Remember the Traditional kilts themselves were first plain colors made of homespun. example the Irish Kilts. Tartans didnt come into play until later. As far as different reactions the most surprising one I have had is simply this... one girl thought that my traditional kilt looked as if it was made of a table cloth... go figure.
I was even asked to be in the fashion show our college has while i was wearing my modern kilt.