This has been touched upon in other threads, but I do think it is a subject worthy of further consideration.

However in a probably vain attempt to avoid lynching, I must commence by stating that I entirely support the idea of the kilt be it in a traditional format, or one of the newer variants being worn and accepted as normal day to day male attire.

To start with the image, for most people the kilt is a specific form of dress worn by some soldiers-dancers-pipers, and possibly on occasion for weddings and such events as a Burns night. Their minds not being accustomed/trained to accept the kilt as a day to day garment: so all too often their reaction will be akin to the 'Superman-is it a bird?'.

So I for one am not surprised when such an individual in their amazement sees my kilt as a skirt: the only answer to what might be seen as a problem will come as more and more men wear their kilts on a day to day basis, and so the wider populace becomes accustomed to the sight of such a garment, and so recognise it for what it is.

By the same process many traditional kilt wearers, will when seeing some of the new variants-themselves not recognise them as a kilt: both in respect of their appearance and how they are worn. Not I must add being critical of such a garment being worn, but purely what they recognise it as being. To them it might just as well be a sarong or lava-lava, as a kilt.

So I for one am neither surprised or concerned when people on occasion refer to my kilt as a skirt: for to me it is an entirely natural reaction to an unaccustomed sight.

Now it is necessary to link the above to self honesty, and ask what is really going on: here I'd suggest that it is an acceptance by a growing number of men that a skirt like garment whatever we call it, offers great benefits to the wearer as a day to day garment. However for fear of being associated with a femine or maybe transvestite approach to life, we shelter under the banner of the kilt.

This in turn leads to a certain fear of our nether garment of choice being termed a skirt, and an abreaction upon our part. As for fear of derision-scorn and accusations of cross dressing and the like we cling to the security blanket of claiming that our garment of choice is a kilt.

This fear inhibits both our own activities and influences our responses, and also in a way miltates against a sensible way of male dressing.

Rather I would suggest that we accept that the word skirt is in fact gender free-and can be seen as a blanket term for a variety of garments from the female say pencil skirt-through the male kilt, sarong, lava lava, dhoti, and fustanella. Or what about the edges of a coat which are rightly called skirts. Or I could mention the amed forces wear termed Frock and Blouse-names used by both the British and Americans!

So rather than worry about what can be an entirely natural reaction by unknowing others, words even: it is up to us by wearing our garments of choice to accustom the wider world to the fact that they are in fact entirely right and proper male garments, and so win their universal acceptance. Just as women did in respect of trousers so many years ago.

James