I'm amazed at you people

[Tobus]

on how you treat your kilts, I think some of you act as if is some sort of God, like -
fishing in a kilt
had dinner in a kilt
hill walking in a kilt
have any of you had sex in a kilt, No don't answer that
To me I like my kilt it is part on my heritage and clan (Anderson) but that it, it's an article of clothing and nothing more, yes it sends out a statement “Hi look at me I'm not dressed like you” but that is all, I don't look at it any difference that a smart suit ect.
Or is it that most of you live in the US of A and you feel left out and away from Scotland and you put on an act more so than people that actual live in Scotland.

Richard, there is something that doesn't make sense to me about your post. You say that it's "an article of clothing and nothing more", but if that's really the case, then why do you have such an issue with people actually... you know... WEARING their articles of clothing? You say that people act as if it is some sort of God, but how do you arrive at this conclusion when people are simply talking about wearing their kilts in everyday life? It seems to me that the ones who only reserve their kilts for special dress-up occasions are the ones who are treating their kilts like some sort of god. But wearing clothing for normal life doesn't seem like something one would do if they treat it in a god-like fashion.

At any rate, I actually tend to agree that some folks seem to go a little overboard in their kilt fanaticism. The kilt is an article of clothing, yes, and it has cultural/historical significance. It's comfortable too, and even practical in some situations. But I just can't see it being an all-day, every-day garment that should be worn to the exclusion of all else. I actually enjoy putting my kilt on more when it's only worn occasionally. Not "rarely" by any means, and not just for one type of occasion. But then again, not every single day. If I wore it every single day, it would likely lose its real meaning. But that's just me. Others will feel differently, and it's their perfect right to do as they please. It's not my place (or yours, I should add) to judge them.

But what I really don't get is people who own dozens upon dozens of kilts. I can see an active kilt-wearer having several kilts. Maybe even up to 10, which seems a little excessive, but not overboard. But 50? 100? You don't see trouser-wearers owning that many pairs of trousers. To own that many kilts goes way beyond practicality or even healthy interest, and really borders on obsession. Almost like Imelda Marcos and her shoes. It's no longer just a clothing choice, and begins to become the center of a person's self-identity. But, again, it's each person's prerogative to do as they please, and as long as they are not harming others, it's all good. But I do admit I have a hard time understanding it. I try to put it in perspective, like "collecting". A lot of folks refer to their kilts as a "collection". Even I have collections of things I enjoy (for me it is historical military items). Owning a lot of them seems obsessive to some, but that's the nature of collecting, especially when it comes to items of historical significance. But I can't seem to make the leap from collecting stamps or antiques to collecting newly-made items of clothing. A wardrobe doesn't really fall into the same category as a collection of rare or historic pieces.

So, without trying to further stir the pot, maybe it's a good and healthy thing for us to periodically ask ourselves the question as to whether our enjoyment of the kilt remains within the bounds of sanity. For those who own more kilts than a regular person owns pairs of trousers, is it safe to ask why? Is there a practical reason for it, or does it really come down to an obsession? There's no wrong answer, I suppose, but it's a good exercise to think about it against the backdrop of normal behaviour.

[tundramanq]

Tobus. I confess, I once owned over 50 pair of pants too. Pants row was displaced by kilt row in my closet. The traditional tartan kilts are still special occasion garb. The Utilikilts and Rockys USA casuals in the heat of summer are the every day "beaters". Some of us have the pocket change and desire to dress using all the crayons in the box. It keeps things fresh. Bifubricated is just no longer an option here.

The sane people are those ready to crack My shell broke long ago.

[David Thorpe]

...as far as I am aware no one is saying that the kilt should not be worn by non-Scots, BUT to be fair non-Scots need to understand that those genuinely held views are not necessarily understood by some Scots.

You yourself have expressed a very similar view on numerous occasions, albeit well-tempered with a healthy portion of tolerance and forbearance, for which you have my respect and appreciation. To be clear, and also to the point, what you have written is about the kilt being worn "outwith the Highlands".

When you refer to "Scots", I am fairly confident that you mean people born and living in Scotland. However, I don't believe that definition could be said to be universally "genuinely held". I suspect that there are many among the millions of descendants of the diaspora who consider themselves to be Scots, in addition to those born there, who for whatever reason now live elsewhere. The name of Nova Scotia should be an indicative example of this view.

I am most definitely not in favor of opening the HUGE can of (explosive) worms that would be the discussion of the definition of "Scot". I suspect that that particular road has Xmarks tread marks on it already, if the ensuing firestorm left any trace to be seen.

Being aware of each others genuinely held views is the pathway to mutual tolerance, at least.

That, very well put, is a major ingredient of the glue holding this place together, in my humble, and not always universally held opinion.

[Father Bill]

You know folks, the problem here is that we've opened up the whole "us and them" mentality, starting, respectfully, when the original post said "you people." It's really about "us people" - us people who in various ways, most if not all of them reasonable, and definitely all of them believed at a heart level... about us people who for reasons good or not, like kilts. That's why we're here. If somebody then isn't part of "us people" who like kilts, and if that person is uncomfortable here, they should likely just go away and leave the rest alone.

That's not intended as a slam on the original poster since I don't know the intent behind the words. What it is however, is a suggestion that we stop thinking like "us" and "them" and instead invite whomever you see as "them" back into being part of "us." Makes life much nicer!

[herminator]

- I just like kilts

That´s me!

Shalom
Hermann

[creagdhubh]

Richard, et al,

As I have stated several times before, I have worn Highland dress for almost all of my life. My father never wore the kilt, yet he certainly admires and respects its cultural and historical significance. My grandfather wears the kilt occassionally, and this is where I saw Highland dress for the first time at a young age. Like my grandfather, I wear Highland dress for certain occassions, but not all of the time. I can easily go months without wearing the kilt and not because of personal choice, but rather there simply may not be any special events or certain occassions in which it would be appropriate to wear Highland attire.

Of course, I don't have to wear the kilt. My grandfather never expected me to, nor insisted that I do so. I choose to, because I like it. Yes, it is no secret that I like the seemingly endless styles of Highland dress accessories that are available; the different tweed and check possibilities that can be worn with the beautifully woven tartan of the kilt; the traditional approach to wearing Highland attire in our modern era; but most of all, I like the feeling I have every time I put on the kilt. For this American of Scottish Highland ancestry and genealogy, it is a feeling of pride, connectiveness in regards to clan, kith and kin, happiness, and pure joy. I do not wear Highland dress for attention, or to be ostentatious in any way, far from it. I choose certain items and accessories (much more simpler nowadays) to accompany the focal point of the kilt, because I like them.

As an American, I choose to wear Highland dress because it is an important aspect of my own family's Highland heritage. My direct ancestors hail from Inverness-shire in the Central Scottish Highlands (as well as having present-day relatives who reside in Kingussie), therefore, myself, my grandfather and other immediate family members choose to wear Highland dress, and why not?

Pretty straightforward and simple.

Kind regards,

[creagdhubh]

You yourself have expressed a very similar view on numerous occasions, albeit well-tempered with a healthy portion of tolerance and forbearance, for which you have my respect and appreciation. To be clear, and also to the point, what you have written is about the kilt being worn "outwith the Highlands".

When you refer to "Scots", I am fairly confident that you mean people born and living in Scotland. However, I don't believe that definition could be said to be universally "genuinely held". I suspect that there are many among the millions of descendants of the diaspora who consider themselves to be Scots, in addition to those born there, who for whatever reason now live elsewhere. The name of Nova Scotia should be an indicative example of this view.

I am most definitely not in favor of opening the HUGE can of (explosive) worms that would be the discussion of the definition of "Scot". I suspect that that particular road has Xmarks tread marks on it already, if the ensuing firestorm left any trace to be seen.



That, very well put, is a major ingredient of the glue holding this place together, in my humble, and not always universally held opinion.

Well said, David!

[creagdhubh]

Richard, there is something that doesn't make sense to me about your post. You say that it's "an article of clothing and nothing more", but if that's really the case, then why do you have such an issue with people actually... you know... WEARING their articles of clothing? You say that people act as if it is some sort of God, but how do you arrive at this conclusion when people are simply talking about wearing their kilts in everyday life? It seems to me that the ones who only reserve their kilts for special dress-up occasions are the ones who are treating their kilts like some sort of god. But wearing clothing for normal life doesn't seem like something one would do if they treat it in a god-like fashion.

At any rate, I actually tend to agree that some folks seem to go a little overboard in their kilt fanaticism. The kilt is an article of clothing, yes, and it has cultural/historical significance. It's comfortable too, and even practical in some situations. But I just can't see it being an all-day, every-day garment that should be worn to the exclusion of all else. I actually enjoy putting my kilt on more when it's only worn occasionally. Not "rarely" by any means, and not just for one type of occasion. But then again, not every single day. If I wore it every single day, it would likely lose its real meaning. But that's just me. Others will feel differently, and it's their perfect right to do as they please. It's not my place (or yours, I should add) to judge them.

But what I really don't get is people who own dozens upon dozens of kilts. I can see an active kilt-wearer having several kilts. Maybe even up to 10, which seems a little excessive, but not overboard. But 50? 100? You don't see trouser-wearers owning that many pairs of trousers. To own that many kilts goes way beyond practicality or even healthy interest, and really borders on obsession. Almost like Imelda Marcos and her shoes. It's no longer just a clothing choice, and begins to become the center of a person's self-identity. But, again, it's each person's prerogative to do as they please, and as long as they are not harming others, it's all good. But I do admit I have a hard time understanding it. I try to put it in perspective, like "collecting". A lot of folks refer to their kilts as a "collection". Even I have collections of things I enjoy (for me it is historical military items). Owning a lot of them seems obsessive to some, but that's the nature of collecting, especially when it comes to items of historical significance. But I can't seem to make the leap from collecting stamps or antiques to collecting newly-made items of clothing. A wardrobe doesn't really fall into the same category as a collection of rare or historic pieces.

So, without trying to further stir the pot, maybe it's a good and healthy thing for us to periodically ask ourselves the question as to whether our enjoyment of the kilt remains within the bounds of sanity. For those who own more kilts than a regular person owns pairs of trousers, is it safe to ask why? Is there a practical reason for it, or does it really come down to an obsession? There's no wrong answer, I suppose, but it's a good exercise to think about it against the backdrop of normal behaviour.

***

[Richard]

This is exactly what I was talking about “Does your walk change when you kilt up”
Oh dear we even have a different walk now, oh I do love this place keep it up guys.
here

[tundramanq]

My walk may be a bit straighter as I am aware of being watched. The kilt turns the walk into a chick magnet waggle!