Non-tartan kilts

[TheSp8]

On my last visit to Scotland, back in 2006, I flew wearing an OD Utilikilt. I didn't get any looks or comments that I noticed at the airport or on the train to Glasgow. Once arrived at our destination we strolled around town since we were a bit early to check in to the B&B. We stopped into a Tea Shop for a cup of tea and the two ladies running the place complimented the look and said they thought more men should wear kilts more often. On our return, a older security guy at the airport also complimented the look as well as the sgian dhu tattoo on my calf. From my experience I'd say most either don't notice or don't care one way or the other.

YMOS,
Tony

[seanachie]

I thought that is what you meant and no, I still have never seen a "live" one!

You know it is worth mentioning not all "modern" kilts are created equally. I mention that so they don't get stereotyped. I have a foot in both the traditional and modern kilts, but regret that all "modern" are generally lumped into one. There are some that I would not be caught dead in.

Jock, for the times when one wants to be kilted but a traditionally crafted wool kilt would not be appropriate for fear of being soiled or damaged they are a fine addition to your kilt wardrobe.

If you would like to see one live, you can visit and come with me to the park and play with my dogs in the mud and grass, or lend me a hand on a Saturday as I complete my "Honey Do" List.

I might even spot a dram to discuss the issue after.

[Blackrose87]

You know it is worth mentioning not all "modern" kilts are created equally. I mention that so they don't get stereotyped. I have a foot in both the traditional and modern kilts, but regret that all "modern" are generally lumped into one. There are some that I would not be caught dead in.

I suppose your right. I do have a cheaper heritage of Scotland kilt I wear to football. I guess it's PV or a blend of some kind.
I'd bet that most people wearing kilts to rugby or football here tend to wear something similar instead of a more expensive wool kilt.
But I'd say these are still almost exclusively tartan, and worn higher up like a traditional kilt.
At the price of a good quality made kilt, I wouldn't want to wear it to matches in case I got it wrecked.

Even though they're not made from wool, and most likely not even made in Scotland, I would still say they are 'traditional styled' kilts.

[Jock Scot]

You know it is worth mentioning not all "modern" kilts are created equally. I mention that so they don't get stereotyped. I have a foot in both the traditional and modern kilts, but regret that all "modern" are generally lumped into one. There are some that I would not be caught dead in.

Jock, for the times when one wants to be kilted but a traditionally crafted wool kilt would not be appropriate for fear of being soiled or damaged they are a fine addition to your kilt wardrobe.

If you would like to see one live, you can visit and come with me to the park and play with my dogs in the mud and grass, or lend me a hand on a Saturday as I complete my "Honey Do" List.

I might even spot a dram to discuss the issue after.

Aha, therein lies the folly of your thinking!

We keep an old, much repaired and dearly loved tartan kilt for those scruffy occasions! Besides, I am told that the mud and worse in Flanders during WW1 was pretty testing too for kilts, but with a bit of drying and a lot of brushing most wool, tartan kilts would pass muster for a parade in front of The Commander in Chief, The King.

[Blackrose87]

On my last visit to Scotland, back in 2006, I flew wearing an OD Utilikilt. I didn't get any looks or comments that I noticed at the airport or on the train to Glasgow. Once arrived at our destination we strolled around town since we were a bit early to check in to the B&B. We stopped into a Tea Shop for a cup of tea and the two ladies running the place complimented the look and said they thought more men should wear kilts more often. On our return, a older security guy at the airport also complimented the look as well as the sgian dhu tattoo on my calf. From my experience I'd say most either don't notice or don't care one way or the other.

YMOS,
Tony

Although people here tend to be more reserved about just coming up to strangers and commenting on their attire.
It all depends on circumstances, if you were walking about George Square or the Royal mile, people are more likely to complement you, as very few natives would actually be on these streets.
But if you were in, say a pub on Easter road after a match you might get a very different response.

Maybe people don't notice or care, but surely this would have led to a bit more uptake of the ultikilt here? It seems in general people are either unaware of them, or just wouldn't want o wear them.

[CMcG]

I know there are a couple Xmarkers, living in Scotland, who have posted pics of themselves in modern, utility-style kilts, but they seem to be in the very small minority. This may be due to the advent of cheap, tartan PV kilts (like Blackrose87's) or the "well-loved," kilts that Jock mentioned. Perhaps there is not as much demand for them in the UK?

Modern kilts (pockets, narrow aprons, solid colours or maybe camouflage, etc) are sometimes called a Male Unbifurcated Garment or MUG to differentiate them from traditional kilts. As was mentioned, they were invented in Seattle and I hear they are fairly popular on the West Coast of the US. I have seen a few on the streets of Vancouver, British Columbia too, but not in Eastern Canada.

[The Wizard of BC]

I would like to relate a story of four of my customers. Two have strong ties in Scotland and visit at least once a year for more than a month at a time. The other two live in Scotland. One in Invernessshire and one near Ft. William and is a tour operator.

They tell me that their solid color kilts are fully accepted in Scotland. The determining factor seems to be that their kilts look like kilts and are worn like kilts.

The tour operator said to me once, "If Scots had had this type of kilt 50 or 100 years ago everyone would be wearing this type now."

They all comment on the easy care and the practicality of the pockets. They all say that they can wear their kilt anywhere they would wear their Tartan kilts with the single exception of formal events. (Even though one did wear his solid black Dress Model to a wedding where it was reported that it got rave reviews.)

Interestingly all four have commented that the only reason that anyone has looked at their solid colored kilts with any eyebrow-raising was that the folks on the street are simply not used to seeing kilts of any sort worn as daily wear. As soon as they realize that it is not just another tourist sporting his new kilt, the comments are all positive.

Also interesting is that all four have said that the "Utilikilt" type kilts with narrow aprons, reverse kingussie pleats and multiple studs or snaps would be far less accepted.

[ThistleDown]

I know four who wear traditionally-styled kilts in solid colours at home (including me). Not the UK style with the narrow apron and cargo-pant pockets, mind you. I also know two Highland chaps who wear big-pocket kilts made by Nicholsby -- but only when they are visiting Edinburgh. And three who wear tweed (not tartan). The population in the Highlands -- man, woman and child -- is about 200,000.

[Blackrose87]

I know four who wear traditionally-styled kilts in solid colours at home (including me). Not the UK style with the narrow apron and cargo-pant pockets, mind you. I also know two Highland chaps who wear big-pocket kilts made by Nicholsby -- but only when they are visiting Edinburgh. And three who wear tweed (not tartan). The population in the Highlands -- man, woman and child -- is about 200,000.

I think that depends on the definition of 'the Highlands'. The Highland council area has 220,000 but this excludes most of the south and east Highlands.

[ThistleDown]

Thank you for the definition correction, making my point even stronger, BR. I'm happy to add Cessna in the Borders as someone else I know personally, but then for me the ratio jumps to 10 in 5.2 million.